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

Kingsley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

1000000% some days I think, “Well this is too difficult, I am going to quit..” but honestly, ask yourself what it could you do that brings you so much joy. You will have highs of highs and the LOWEST of lows, but that’s part of the game.

I often tell my artist friends that start to make the complaining their entire personality, DO SOMETHING ELSE or go complain to TikTok NOT ME!! HA!

We get choices in life, I choose to find the good in everything, no matter how hard it might be. The more you practice gratitude the easier it will be. And if I start to wavier I go hang out with people who keep me inspired.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up in the shadows of Chicago, Kingsley was raised to the rhythms of house music. The third eldest daughter of eight, she demonstrated a strong desire to perform and sing from an early age. She sang before she could talk, belting out Disney tunes and performing for family and friends. She joined choir when she was 8 and taught herself to play guitar and piano. By the age of 10, she started a family band with two of her sisters called, Heartfilled. Inspired by The Jonas Brothers, Kingsley wrote and produced her music to match their memorable iconic pop style.

In 2011, after self-producing her first single “Lie Detector” in her parent’s basement studio, Kingsley knew she had to go to college to study music. It was during her college days Kingsley started an all-female, a cappella group, and developed skills in composing and arranging. This path wasn’t easy, yet she completed it successfully, graduating with double degrees in Vocal Performance and Business Administration.

A week after graduating from college, Kingsley planted roots in Portland, Oregon, and immediately landed an internship as the marketing liaison at The Old Church, a small indie venue and her abilities and knowledge of the music industry made big waves moving her on to work for The Roseland Theater as Head of Marketing. During her time at the Roseland, Kingsley was immersed in the industry she dreamed to be part of, although she was far from the stage.

After leaving the Roseland Theatre to pursue music full-time, Kingsley became at the forefront of Portland’s fierce, female-led underground music scene. Hailed as an artist who has “crafted a sound that transcends genres and challenges expectations (PRP),” Kingsley has had the opportunity to open for SG Lewis at a sold-out show at Holocene (2018), be the musical guest for Tedx (2018), remixing “Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes with Sony/ATV on their compilation album, Falcon Mixtape – Motor City Classix, celebrating Motown artist (2019), play Soul’d Out Music Festival (2019).

During 2020, a year plagued with the hardships of covid and social inequality, Kingsley was fortunate to keep her music career afloat when so many other artists could not. Teaming up with a group of Black American females, she managed to produce the inspiring “I’m Fine” video. The entire cast and crew for the video, including the director, choreographer, camerawomen, photographers, stylists, and dancers were Black-American women from Portland. In addition, she landed a brand partnership with Black own local makeup company, Event Cosmetics, and is set to release a lipstick collection on Valentine’s Day 2021 with the release of her sophomore record, Crying On Holiday in May of 2021!

At the end of 2022 Kingsley decided to uproot her life and move to London for six months to work on her 3rd studio record! The move paid off, 4 of her songs from her upcoming record was mixed at Abbey Road! Kingsley continues to move full force into who she is through her music.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

BUY MERCH!! Sign up for their Patreon, give to their Kickstarts / Indiegogos, and get tickets to local bands!

We know streams are not helping as much (it’s like half a penny a stream), but we also know independent artist are funding everything. My last record was 10K to make, I raised half with Kickstarter and am forever grateful!

If you can do a trade! Vocal lessons but a 2-hour photoshoot, I know tons of creates ALWAYS need video / photo assets.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Expressing who I truly am through my art. Kingsley saved me.

At first, she was this alter ego, I would become, and then go back to my depression the moment I stepped off the stage. But Kingsley showed me how to be kind to myself, confident off the stage, to speak my truth even when it is so painful.

Without Kingsley, Moe Lincoln wouldn’t be here today.

Contact Info:

• Website: iamkingsley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokingsleymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yokingsleymusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/yokingsleymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu96XO9OcU3NkAFEn6061pw
• Other: Tiktok: @kingsleymusic

Image Credits
Kingsley is the credits