of her current hit single. The track
“Workin’ Girl” is wrought with
interpretation. She smiles and
winks at the deliberate irony in the
song, which narrates the trials and
tribulations experienced in the
urban jungle by one particular
working girl doing her best to make
ends meet and get ahead in this
world. “Stay ahead with your high
heel shoes/You’ve got your work
cut out for you,” she sings. Kelly
admits that the song does have all
kinds of meaning. “When I get any
song, I have to figure how I relate
to it -- what feeling I get from it
message wise, so there are several
reasons behind that song.”
Playing the game in the early days
of her career, battling her way
through the label system, King
admitted she often found herself
facing compromising decisions. “I’
ve been put in situations by horrible
men in the music industry who’ve
wanted nothing more from me than
to be their arm candy,” and of
course they would suggest much
more. “I’ve always accepted that
in my career there is a line that I’m
not willing to cross...if I cross that
line, then I’m not meant to be
“Workin’ Girl” is wrought with
interpretation. She smiles and
winks at the deliberate irony in the
song, which narrates the trials and
tribulations experienced in the
urban jungle by one particular
working girl doing her best to make
ends meet and get ahead in this
world. “Stay ahead with your high
heel shoes/You’ve got your work
cut out for you,” she sings. Kelly
admits that the song does have all
kinds of meaning. “When I get any
song, I have to figure how I relate
to it -- what feeling I get from it
message wise, so there are several
reasons behind that song.”
Playing the game in the early days
of her career, battling her way
through the label system, King
admitted she often found herself
facing compromising decisions. “I’
ve been put in situations by horrible
men in the music industry who’ve
wanted nothing more from me than
to be their arm candy,” and of
course they would suggest much
more. “I’ve always accepted that
in my career there is a line that I’m
not willing to cross...if I cross that
line, then I’m not meant to be
www.ambiente.us MARCH | MARZO 2010
Kelly King | This Girl is Workin’ It!
by JC Alvarez
Kelly King has been hastily hitting the pavement!
She’s in the midst of a promo tour for her latest release: the lead single from her
forthcoming album is appropriately called “Workin’ Girl”. Performing recently
one night at the infamous New York City hot spot Splash -- the same stage
where Britney Spears surprised nocturnal revelers with an impromptu
appearance, King appeared poised for the challenge. “New York City
audiences are tough! They are the crowd to impress,” she admitted, but “the
minute the heads started bobbing and the hands went up...I knew it was all
good.” This independent artist is making waves on the music circuit just as
ambitiously as her leading contemporaries Lady GaGa, or that upstart Ke$ha --
but Kelly King is doing it on her own, on her terms, without the backing of a
powerhouse label...and the girl is working it.
She’s a two-time Billboard AC Chart Topper. Kelly King has opened for Michael
Bolton and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and she’s even gotten the attention of
Ryan Seacrest who knows a thing, or two, about aspiring music idols. She’s
aesthetically charming; raven-haired with a set of sparkling eyes that you’d
instantly wish you could swim in, and a welcoming
Southern grace that instantly warms you up to her.
There’s a fragility to her very lady-like appearance, but
make no bones, King can hold her own.
I caution the subtlety demure King about the content
Kelly King | This Girl is Workin’ It!
by JC Alvarez
Kelly King has been hastily hitting the pavement!
She’s in the midst of a promo tour for her latest release: the lead single from her
forthcoming album is appropriately called “Workin’ Girl”. Performing recently
one night at the infamous New York City hot spot Splash -- the same stage
where Britney Spears surprised nocturnal revelers with an impromptu
appearance, King appeared poised for the challenge. “New York City
audiences are tough! They are the crowd to impress,” she admitted, but “the
minute the heads started bobbing and the hands went up...I knew it was all
good.” This independent artist is making waves on the music circuit just as
ambitiously as her leading contemporaries Lady GaGa, or that upstart Ke$ha --
but Kelly King is doing it on her own, on her terms, without the backing of a
powerhouse label...and the girl is working it.
She’s a two-time Billboard AC Chart Topper. Kelly King has opened for Michael
Bolton and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and she’s even gotten the attention of
Ryan Seacrest who knows a thing, or two, about aspiring music idols. She’s
aesthetically charming; raven-haired with a set of sparkling eyes that you’d
instantly wish you could swim in, and a welcoming
Southern grace that instantly warms you up to her.
There’s a fragility to her very lady-like appearance, but
make no bones, King can hold her own.
I caution the subtlety demure King about the content
| . |
| . |
| . |
doing this.”
And hailing from Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (the Atlanta
native transplanted to NYC in her early 20’s), near
the same stomping grounds as Hip-Hop impresario
Jay-Z, King observed first hand what life on the
streets was like for those other working girls. “The
things that I saw were life-changing; my Southern
perspective was drastically altered -- and I wouldn’
t have had it any other way.” But the song is about
all working girls -- and King can identify with the
struggles of having to make her way in an often
times male-dominated society, certainly typical of
the music industry. She emerges unscathed, yet
battled-hardened and prepared to take on every
obstacle. “I’ve watched all sorts of women in all
kinds of occupations, and the struggles they go
through -- to not get the respect that they’ve
earned...it’s tough!”
Even with her impressive ability as both a singer
and performer, King is just as capable of putting on
a highly charged and choreographed set piece
and sing her tracks live, she is complacent to work
her craft by her own means, and her own
standards. “What I can do is give new talent
(song writers, producers, remixers) an opportunity...
everyday I have to put on a new hat as an
independent artist. I’m in a fortunate position to
collaborate with the people I do.”
“Workin’ Girl” with it’s clearly defiant and very
liberating message has given King a greater sense
And hailing from Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (the Atlanta
native transplanted to NYC in her early 20’s), near
the same stomping grounds as Hip-Hop impresario
Jay-Z, King observed first hand what life on the
streets was like for those other working girls. “The
things that I saw were life-changing; my Southern
perspective was drastically altered -- and I wouldn’
t have had it any other way.” But the song is about
all working girls -- and King can identify with the
struggles of having to make her way in an often
times male-dominated society, certainly typical of
the music industry. She emerges unscathed, yet
battled-hardened and prepared to take on every
obstacle. “I’ve watched all sorts of women in all
kinds of occupations, and the struggles they go
through -- to not get the respect that they’ve
earned...it’s tough!”
Even with her impressive ability as both a singer
and performer, King is just as capable of putting on
a highly charged and choreographed set piece
and sing her tracks live, she is complacent to work
her craft by her own means, and her own
standards. “What I can do is give new talent
(song writers, producers, remixers) an opportunity...
everyday I have to put on a new hat as an
independent artist. I’m in a fortunate position to
collaborate with the people I do.”
“Workin’ Girl” with it’s clearly defiant and very
liberating message has given King a greater sense
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Featuring re-workings by such notable remix producers as Twisted Dee, Jayito,
Mendy and Vibelicious, King’s pop-infused original is given all new life again and
again. “It’s so great to hear these faster-paced versions of songs that I’ve
recorded before.” King hand selected her producers, one of the benefits of
being an independent artist, but that’s as far as she went with the remix
process. “I stepped back and I thought of it as someone using their gift -- I said,
be creative, have free reign and see what comes out of it...and that’s the
magic of the world of DJ remixing! They’re geniuses at what they do.” “Workin’
Girl” is one of the first tracks that King recorded for her upcoming new full-length
album project. The next single “Gravity” is already generating buzz and will soon
be given the remix treatment as well.
In the same way that Madonna hasn’t been able to shake the titular shackles of
her 80‘s hit “Material Girl”, Kelly King isn’t ever going to escape the association
that will come with this current single. I felt I had to warn her, that it will more
than likely become one of her signature songs. She laughs, commenting “are
you kidding? I would love that!” It seems she couldn’t be happier. So long as it’
s what her fans want to hear, who is Kelly King to argue with her subjects?
She is after all...a queen.
For more on the inspiring Kelly King including upcoming live appearances check
her out on the web at: www.kellykingweb.com.
You can also pick up her current release the EP The Real Definition -- Workin’ Girl
Remixes on most digital download stores including iTunes and Amazon. Kelly
King will be performing in March at the Night of a Thousand Gowns in New York
City to benefit God’s Love We Deliver.
CLICK HERE for more JC Alvarez
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
Mendy and Vibelicious, King’s pop-infused original is given all new life again and
again. “It’s so great to hear these faster-paced versions of songs that I’ve
recorded before.” King hand selected her producers, one of the benefits of
being an independent artist, but that’s as far as she went with the remix
process. “I stepped back and I thought of it as someone using their gift -- I said,
be creative, have free reign and see what comes out of it...and that’s the
magic of the world of DJ remixing! They’re geniuses at what they do.” “Workin’
Girl” is one of the first tracks that King recorded for her upcoming new full-length
album project. The next single “Gravity” is already generating buzz and will soon
be given the remix treatment as well.
In the same way that Madonna hasn’t been able to shake the titular shackles of
her 80‘s hit “Material Girl”, Kelly King isn’t ever going to escape the association
that will come with this current single. I felt I had to warn her, that it will more
than likely become one of her signature songs. She laughs, commenting “are
you kidding? I would love that!” It seems she couldn’t be happier. So long as it’
s what her fans want to hear, who is Kelly King to argue with her subjects?
She is after all...a queen.
For more on the inspiring Kelly King including upcoming live appearances check
her out on the web at: www.kellykingweb.com.
You can also pick up her current release the EP The Real Definition -- Workin’ Girl
Remixes on most digital download stores including iTunes and Amazon. Kelly
King will be performing in March at the Night of a Thousand Gowns in New York
City to benefit God’s Love We Deliver.
CLICK HERE for more JC Alvarez
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
of accomplishment and certainly the drive to follow in the footsteps of
some of her role-models. She cites Cher as one of the icons on which she
intends to pattern her career, “Cher’s the master -- I’d love to be in her
shoes.” But it’s her other inspiration that I find truly gratifying. “I clearly
remember the moment that Oprah unveiled RuPaul -- I was mesmerized
and absolutely in awe of him. I thought: this person is amazing and larger
than life! That’s what I want to be!” It was not only the drag icon’s
amazing visual presence that caught King’s attention, but RuPaul’s clearly
positive and inspiring messages in his music. “Imagine from my
perspective this overly beautiful and glamorfied image and singing such a
fun dance song -- I was smitten!” So the little girl from Nashville, by ways of
Atlanta (where she is originally from) picked up her things and in true
classic story fashion headed to the big city to pursue her dreams!
“I thought it was a novel idea, but it worked for Bette Midler, so
what I did was I started working the gay bars.” King made the
rounds of all the city’s talent shows and tested her pipes. “I
entered talent competitions and would win about $500 dollars a
night -- it was awesome! The most you would get at a straight
bar was a free beer.” Her more than impressive multi-octave
range made her an instant fan favorite, but it soon became
apparent that King was in a league of her own. “I eventually got
banned from the contests, and was like you can’t ban me...I’ve
got bills to pay! Fortunately they thought I was that good and
gave me my own show.”
Although confident in her vocal presence, admittedly King felt that her
image could use an overhaul. “I didn’t even know how to put on fake eye-
lashes!” As if her idol and inspiration RuPaul had sent her a series of
guardian angels to look out for her, King found support from the multi-
talented drag queens in the club community. “I’ve learned everything
some of her role-models. She cites Cher as one of the icons on which she
intends to pattern her career, “Cher’s the master -- I’d love to be in her
shoes.” But it’s her other inspiration that I find truly gratifying. “I clearly
remember the moment that Oprah unveiled RuPaul -- I was mesmerized
and absolutely in awe of him. I thought: this person is amazing and larger
than life! That’s what I want to be!” It was not only the drag icon’s
amazing visual presence that caught King’s attention, but RuPaul’s clearly
positive and inspiring messages in his music. “Imagine from my
perspective this overly beautiful and glamorfied image and singing such a
fun dance song -- I was smitten!” So the little girl from Nashville, by ways of
Atlanta (where she is originally from) picked up her things and in true
classic story fashion headed to the big city to pursue her dreams!
“I thought it was a novel idea, but it worked for Bette Midler, so
what I did was I started working the gay bars.” King made the
rounds of all the city’s talent shows and tested her pipes. “I
entered talent competitions and would win about $500 dollars a
night -- it was awesome! The most you would get at a straight
bar was a free beer.” Her more than impressive multi-octave
range made her an instant fan favorite, but it soon became
apparent that King was in a league of her own. “I eventually got
banned from the contests, and was like you can’t ban me...I’ve
got bills to pay! Fortunately they thought I was that good and
gave me my own show.”
Although confident in her vocal presence, admittedly King felt that her
image could use an overhaul. “I didn’t even know how to put on fake eye-
lashes!” As if her idol and inspiration RuPaul had sent her a series of
guardian angels to look out for her, King found support from the multi-
talented drag queens in the club community. “I’ve learned everything
I know about my performance elements
from drag queens -- nobody works
harder for their artistry. They are to me
the true workin’ girls.”
There’s an exhilaration to what Kelly King
has accomplished thus far in her career.
“I’ve always made a living as a singer.
I’m very proud of that.” It’s truly defining
of her commitment to being the best
kind of artist that she can be, as well as honest about her devotion and
desire to never give her audience anything less than what her gift, her
instrument -- her amazing voice, her ultra-charismatic appeal, and those
eyes of an angel -- are capable of delivering. “Sometimes I can get my
head so wrap up around the dream, that it can slow me down.” In all
earnest she is like all independent music artists: the future of the music
industry -- a group tailoring their careers to distinctly appeal directly to
their growing fans.
And there’s no mistaking, King understands the importance of maintaining
and nurturing the gay fan base that she’s begun to accumulate. “I’m
probably more proud of that than anything else,” she says. She often
donates much of her time to various community related charities and
appearances, and speaks out against the more recent inequality issues
facing our country. “To be embraced by an audience that way..that’s like
the highest complement.”
I must admit, that I now put Ms. King up on that shelf alongside artists who’
s music I listen to almost every day. “Workin’ Girl” is part of my workout
playlist. The song is an instant dance floor classic -- the remixes easily work
to shake the lighting fixtures off of any club house. It has an infectious
beat and a hook that you can’t let go of. The track would be the envy of
Britney, Rihanna or Christina...or even Lady GaGa.
from drag queens -- nobody works
harder for their artistry. They are to me
the true workin’ girls.”
There’s an exhilaration to what Kelly King
has accomplished thus far in her career.
“I’ve always made a living as a singer.
I’m very proud of that.” It’s truly defining
of her commitment to being the best
kind of artist that she can be, as well as honest about her devotion and
desire to never give her audience anything less than what her gift, her
instrument -- her amazing voice, her ultra-charismatic appeal, and those
eyes of an angel -- are capable of delivering. “Sometimes I can get my
head so wrap up around the dream, that it can slow me down.” In all
earnest she is like all independent music artists: the future of the music
industry -- a group tailoring their careers to distinctly appeal directly to
their growing fans.
And there’s no mistaking, King understands the importance of maintaining
and nurturing the gay fan base that she’s begun to accumulate. “I’m
probably more proud of that than anything else,” she says. She often
donates much of her time to various community related charities and
appearances, and speaks out against the more recent inequality issues
facing our country. “To be embraced by an audience that way..that’s like
the highest complement.”
I must admit, that I now put Ms. King up on that shelf alongside artists who’
s music I listen to almost every day. “Workin’ Girl” is part of my workout
playlist. The song is an instant dance floor classic -- the remixes easily work
to shake the lighting fixtures off of any club house. It has an infectious
beat and a hook that you can’t let go of. The track would be the envy of
Britney, Rihanna or Christina...or even Lady GaGa.
