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K. Michelle made it clear at the 2025 CMA Fest that her connection to country music is no phase.
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During the “CMA Fest: American Songwriter” spotlight, the Memphis native didn’t hold back when correcting an interviewer who questioned her country credentials.
“I did grow up in country music. You do this all the time,” she stated. “I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I got a scholarship for yodeling — that’s how I paid for college,” she shared.
The singer’s tone said it all. She wasn’t there to prove herself; she was there to remind people she never needed permission to belong.
While her mainstream success came through R&B, K. Michelle has been chasing her country dream for years. She’s constantly had to fight against an industry that rarely makes room for Black women.
That tension was evident when she discussed how she was often told she didn’t fit the mold.
“I was told I could not sing country music because I was Black, but it was something I had always been doing,” she said. “I didn’t fly here. I grew here.”
Years ago, she recorded a cover of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge,” and the moment came full circle when the Judd family personally invited her to perform the song as a tribute to the late Naomi Judd. That gesture, while rare, symbolized the kind of recognition she’s been working toward.
Now, she’s gearing up to release her first country album. Unlike today’s pop-infused country, K. Michelle’s upcoming project is raw, emotional, and heavily influenced by traditional country and bluegrass.
She named Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, and The Judds as major inspirations. Despite being known for her vocals in R&B, Michelle told EBONY that country was always the goal.
“It was never my second option. [Country music] was always my first because that’s who I am,” she said.
Whether the industry is ready or not, K. Michelle isn’t waiting around for validation. Her roots are real, her voice is ready, and her place in country music is no longer up for debate.
