Born and raised in Kansas City, Asia Kyreé is the newest R&B player to come out of Missouri. After graduating as a fashion major in 2015, she moved to Dallas, Texas at 18-years-old in pursual of her dreams. At the time, it wasn’t for music in particular. “When I realized, I think it was when I saw people actually listening to my music and supporting me at my shows,” Asia Kyreé tells us.
Her vocals, songwriting abilities, and cutting-edge fashion sense have made the five-figure tower over her contemporaries. Although a fresh face in the game, Asia Kyreé emphasizes that this is only the foundation of her empire. She laminated her entry to the game with the release of her debut project Bad Guy. Asia describes the 9-track offering as her stepping into her true self. She says, “I accept it and the people who want to know, I tell them.”
In our latest interview, we had the chance to chop it up with Asia Kyreé about moving to Dallas, making a career out of music, and her latest project amongst other topics. Read the full interview below.
Although from Kansas City, you moved to Dallas a bit ago in pursual of your dreams—how would you say your life has changed since you’ve moved there?
I moved because I wanted more opportunities for myself. Not even for music because at the time I wasn’t really interested in doing it. Honestly it was for work in general, a new environment. Now we’re in 2021 and I’ve found my sound and my purpose here.
I’ve met a lot of people who’ve actually did music or done music since being here. I was on a podcast show so I was interesting artist as well. Something kind of clicked and I felt like I was the one who should be getting asked questions which I am. It was kind of a full circle moment for me.
At what point did you realize that you could turn music into a full-time career?
At first, it wasn’t like that, I thought I was going to do it just for fun. When I realized, I think it was when I saw people actually listening to my music and supporting me at my shows. Just seeing numbers of myself. At first, I didn’t know anything about DSP’s so I was like wow, people actually like me. They actually fuck with me.
Who were some of your musical influences then and how about now?
I grew up listening to a lot of Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, Rihanna. Of course, Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men. I have an older mom so my music are mainly oldies. Just different sounds from everywhere, Lady Gaga came later on. Brittney Spears and that’s many of them I’d say.
Towards the end of last year, you shared your first project Bad Guy—how did you come up with the title?
That’s a great question. If you look closely, one is kind of like the angel and the other is kind of like the darker half of me. My whole life, I’ve felt like a villain. I’ll say a lot of times my intentions were never to be a bad guy but I always got this finger pointed at me for things that went wrong in life and relationships. Instead of harping and soaping on the fact that people make me this bad person, I just accepted and made this persona that is Bad Guy.
If you watch movies, the villain has a reason to be like that. I accept it and the people who want to know, I tell them. I’m going to say what’s on my mind and not hold my tongue.
Do you have a favorite experience that you recall while working on that particular LP?
My favorite experience is being in the studio with my engineer, girlfriend, and kind of just breaking the lyrics down and freestyling. None of the lyrics were written and most of the music was what I felt that day. Of course, we structed the songs from beginning to end. So the story behind the whole theme and precisely putting things in place was my favorite experience.
Not only are you thriving in music, but the fashion realm has always seemed to be one of your talents. What is it about clothing and personal style do you feel empowers you as a performer and an artist?
I actually graduated a fashion major in my performing arts school. Fashion has always been my baby, probably my first love. I always said if music didn’t work out, or even if it did, I’m going to get into fashion. It’s something about waking up and expressing yourself through clothes that makes me feel good.
As far as 2021 goes, what do you have in store this year?
More visual content. I like to take my time things which is why I don’t have as many videos as I like. I knew that my vision was bigger than my budget at the time so I had to wait before I just gave you guys anything. I want people to see me a lot. I’m going to drop more personal tracks and vlogging more so people can see me structuring songs and being more vulnerable. I’m definitely working on more behind-the-scenes content.
If you enjoyed our interview with Asia Kyreé, check out Lavaud.
