KiraJanel is an upcoming Black Female artist out of Chicago, ready to sing heart out.
Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you so far as an artist?
Man, it’s been eye opening to say the least. I’ve personally gone through so much this year already. I feel like I’m in a time in my life where I’m learning to love and learn myself. I’ve lost, and I’ve gained. But most importantly I’m really trying and I’m learning things that have taken me years to understand. And me doing that as a person connects to me as an artist because if I’m able to understand myself better I can tell everyone else better. I’ve begun to emerge and really cultivate myself as an artist so far by taking a step back and focusing on me. And it’s great.
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
Whew, we'll. I've been singing my whole life. I used to sing for family and friends, school performances, and choir. But I stopped for years and when I was 17 I picked it up again and truly recognized that it’s my calling. Now, I can definitely tell the difference in my voice between my first released single “Welcome” versus my new released single “Pluto”. My voice has grown stronger and richer, and my entire confidence as an artist has grown along with it.
How did you come up with your latest project?
My latest project “Pluto” was really a song about me taking a step back as I said earlier. “Getting the furthest away from the bs, kudos” you know so it’s really saying like damn.. I’m so proud of myself for doing what’s needed for me and I’m taking off. I’m going the furthest away and ain’t nothing there but peace and success. It was also inspired by the tattoo I have on my right arm. A girl with her head in the universe. I thought it fit perfectly.
Where are you from originally?
I always hesitate when people ask me this because I moved around a lot as a kid. But, I was born in Cali. But I was raised there. I really grew up in between Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Chicago my whole life until I permanently moved to chicago when I was 12. Been here ever since.
Where do you live now?
I'm staying on the south east side of Chicago right now.
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
Oh most definitely. It’s not the major impact but it definitely has one. The things you see and hear around you inspire you. I can imagine that my songs might be different if I lived somewhere else because I wouldn’t have experienced half the stuff I do here if I lived in I don't know .. Wisconsin. But you get my point. At a certain point you learn things from your surroundings and your environment affects you. So it would definitely impact my music. I also have multiple producers because I live in the city. So I’m able to have options, I’m able to play around and find new talent all the time. And I love that.
What was the inspiration to make music your career?
Honestly, I always had that thought in my brain. Even as a child, I would do something special with my voice. Or in any way really. But what inspired me was me doing a talent show in my last year of highschool. No one knew I could sing. But I decided to do it and the whole school was amazed. After that I started slowly recording and just hearing everybody else’s feedback once I made the music ..it was what I needed to hear for me to know.
How do you want to shape your career?
I’m an independent artist at the moment. I’m looking to keep it that way and just build a small trustworthy team for now. People who see the vision. Once I have that team and we really take off, because right now I’m doing it mostly alone. But with a team of dedicated artists that also see a vision, it’s only up from there. After that I want to just market and push and perform and release over and over until I get mainstream. As far as signing a deal, I really have been so cautious about who I work with because I have seen it happen so many times where artists get screwed over. And I don’t want that to happen so I’m holding off on that. I really just want to be supported by the people. As long as I get them, I don’t need too much else.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when it comes to your music?
I really go with the flow for now. I’ve started to grow into planning and preparing and trying to schedule everything out. But I go with how I feel because my music originates from what I’ve experienced, what I’m currently experiencing, or how I’m feeling.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
Pluto was the furthest planet and I really wanted to stress that I’m getting the furthest away from all the bs. Pluto it is.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
Yessss, if i know it’s a hit I’ll be excited to release it. But I had to get out of the space where I held onto my music because it wasn’t perfect or done or whatever. It’s fine to edit and work on it until you're completely satisfied with it but you gotta let it out into the world at some point because somebody needs to hear it.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
Oh most definitely. These songs are pieces of me that I’m showing and giving to all of you. And everyone will wanna remember a feeling or person or place or time I can go back and listen and reflect. It’s a great tool for that.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't listened to it yet?
Relatable. Relaxing. An experience.
Where do they go to listen NOW?
You can find me on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, deezer, SoundCloud even though I gotta update that. And also spotify got me under two different names but we ain’t gone get into I gotta talk to somebody. But anywho, you can find me basically wherever. I’m always sharing new stuff on my Instagram “Thekirajanel”
What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
Hmmmm honestly my close friends. Bc they’ve seen the growth from when I first started to now and they always remind me how far I’ve come. And they definitely don’t forget to hype me up. But fan wise I’d say I get a lot of love from people who come out and see me perform in person. Trust me it’s a whole different vibe. I’ve gotten a few people come up to me in public fosho. And fellow artists telling me how much they love my work. All of it pushes me to keep going and really reminds me that I’m doing it for a reason. People need to hear this shit that I gotta get out anyway.
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
Welllll, I’m currently working on an album. I haven’t announced it yet or told when it’s gonna release but just know it’s in the works already and it’s coming. Other than that I plan to do lots of performances and visuals for the rest of the years as much as I can. So stay locked in with me.
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
I have a performance coming up with “Soul of the Chi” on May 26th. It’ll be posted in my bio and on insta fosho.
Give us all your socials and links so fans can link up with you!
Yessss so my Instagram is @thekirajanel
Facebook is KiraWash
Other than that you can find my music on most platforms under KiraJanel or Kira Janel and I just wanna shoutout to BsquaredMAG for hosting this interview and blessing me with the opportunity to be heard.