We were lucky to catch up with Kalonda Cloyd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kalonda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

All my life, I have been very shy. Around the age of seven, I remember my grandmother asking my mother, “Does she talk?” while I sat there silently. However, my mother started enrolling me in events, talent shows, and various other entertainment activities. On stage, I always felt at home. My shyness disappeared every time I performed, and this change was noticed by my teachers and coaches, leading to more opportunities.

When I was ten, someone suggested to my mother that I should compete in the largest competition in our city. I was terrified. Hundreds of people attended this competition, and there were no separate categories based on age. I thought my mother was crazy—first for thinking I wouldn’t faint, and second for believing I could stand a chance against adults and other incredible talents. The grand prize was $1,000, so if my mother believed in me, I had to take the risk. And I won! That was an incredible achievement for a ten-year-old. It boosted my confidence and my talent, and I never looked back. I’m still very shy, except when I’m on stage.

Kalonda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started singing at an early age with the Gospel Music Workshop of America. By age five, I was performing opera annually in the famous Nutcracker play. While I primarily focused on gospel and opera, at fourteen, a good friend introduced me to the secular music world. I fell in love with it and began recording, leading to opportunities in theater, live bands, and more. My big break came when I was discovered dancing on stage at a Nelly concert, which landed me my first record deal.

My released music has a ’90s feel, reflecting my love for positivity and nostalgic moments. I create music that takes listeners back to memorable times, evoking feelings of happiness, lightness, and fun. For those from my era, my music brings back memories of innocent enjoyment during the prominent years of our lives. I aim to be a light in the darkness.

In addition to my music career, I am also a radio personality and TV host. I host my own radio show, “Radio Riot,” on KDHX 88.1 FM every Friday from 12 PM to 2 PM, where I play music from all genres and support artists worldwide by featuring their music. Additionally, I am a TV host on the AH! TV Network, where I interview various entrepreneurs doing great things in my city. Both opportunities came through chance discoveries, as I never put myself in a box and always take the chances presented to me. On my platforms, I have interviewed notable figures like ConFunkShun, Rodney Perry, Joe Torry, Big V, and more, thanks to my amazing publicist Desirae L. Benson.

I am extremely blessed and thankful for every opportunity that has come my way. Each one has significantly impacted my career, making it hard to single out any specific event. However, stepping into the film and TV industry has been especially exciting. While I’ve been dancing and singing all my life, acting is a new venture for me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The best part of being a creative is staying true to the gift God has given me. I get to do what makes me happy, without conforming to anyone else’s expectations. I wish I had realized earlier that I could achieve success simply by following my own path. Creating positive music, investing in myself, and remaining authentic have been incredibly rewarding.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Support is crucial for every artist. Creatives benefit immensely from guidance provided by qualified and experienced mentors who can teach them how to package their products, connect with the right people, and offer honest feedback with love. I receive a lot of music for my radio show, but sometimes I can’t play it due to poor mixing, incorrect packaging, and other issues. I provide information on how to package their music correctly because I understand the struggles artists face and want to help wherever I can. However, many people who could share their knowledge often don’t, for various reasons. Knowing these challenges firsthand, I’m committed to offering my support to fellow artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kalondakay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalonda_kay?igsh=MXQ4MXlzNDRtYjZleQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalondakaysinger
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqTJ4KT3RtRv94QplhsNNcA