K. Michelle: Difference between revisions

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|19861982|03|04}}<!--Birthdate is sourced in Early life section. -->

| occupation = {{hlist|[[Singer]]|television personality}}

| genre = {{flatlist[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]

'''Kimberly Michelle Pate''' (born March 4, 19861982) is an American [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer and television personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/interview-k-michelle-talks-%E2%80%9Crebellious-soul%E2%80%9D-winning-once-she-stopped-caring-reality-tv/|title=Interview: K. Michelle Talks "Rebellious Soul", Winning Once She Stopped Caring, Reality TV|work=New R&B Music, R&B Videos, R&B Interviews, R&B Concert Coverage – YouKnowIGotSoul|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> She is best known for appearing aswas a regular cast member on the [[VH1]] reality television series ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]'' during its first two seasons, later returning to the show during its [[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (season 5)|fifth season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2016/01/27/vh1-love-and-hip-hop-breakout-stars-rule-the-monday-night-scene-577514/20160127vh101/ |title=Ratings – VH1 "Love & Hip Hop" Breakout Stars Rule the Monday Night Scene |website=TheFutonCritic.comThe Futon Critic |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> MichelleShe subsequently signed with [[Atlantic Records]]. Her debut studio album, ''[[Rebellious Soul]]'', debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and number one on the US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts.<ref name="Elliott"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2013-08-21/K-Michelles-Rebellious-Soul-Album-Sales-Lead-To-Impressive-Debut/|title=News: K. Michelle's Rebellious Soul Album Sales Lead To Impressive Debut|work=Singersroom|date=August 21, 2013|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> Her second studio album ''[[Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?]]'' was released onin December 92014, 2014. The album debuteddebuting at number six in the US and spawnedselling three87,000 singlescopies "[[Lovein 'Emits All]]",first "[[Maybeweek.<ref>{{cite Iweb Should|last=Gentles Call]]"|first=Gary and|date=December "[[Hard17, to2014 Do]]"|title=K. Michelle Tops The albumR&B soldChart 87,000With copiesNew inAlbum, its'Anybody firstWanna weekBuy inA sales.<ref>{{citeHeart' web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2014-12-17/k-michelle-tops-the-rb-chart-with-new-album-anybody-wanna-buy-a-heart/ |titlework=K.Singersroom}}</ref> MichelleIt Topsspawned Thethree R&Bsingles, Chart"[[Love With'Em New AlbumAll]]", 'Anybody"[[Maybe WannaI BuyShould ACall]]" Heart'|first=Garyand |last=Gentles|work=Singersroom|date=December"[[Hard 17,to 2014}}</ref>Do]]".

In March 2016, Michelle's third studio album, ''[[More Issues Than Vogue]]'', was released to positive reviews. Singles from the album included "[[Not a Little Bit]]" and "[[Ain't You]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/more-issues-than-vogue/k-michelle|title=More Issues Than Vogue by K. Michelle Reviews|work=metacritic.com|access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6875099/k-michelle-third-album-more-issues-than-vogue|title=K. Michelle's Third Album 'More Issues Than Vogue' to Drop in March|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 12, 2016}}</ref> Her fourth album, ''[[Kimberly: The People I Used to Know]]'', was released on December 8,in 2017, and debuted at the top ten of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart. Her fifth studio album, ''[[All Monsters Are Human]]'', was released on January 31,in 2020. The album was preceded by two singles, "Supahood" and "[[The Rain (K. Michelle song)|The Rain]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2019/09/19/k-michelle-yung-miami-kash-doll-supa-hood/|title=K. Michelle Drops New Single 'Supa Hood' with Yung Miami & Kash Doll|website=[[Rap-Up]]|access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://respect-mag.com/2019/10/k-michelle-releases-new-edition-inspired-the-rain-single/|title=K. Michelle Releases New Edition Inspired "The Rain" Single|author=Brittany Burton|date=October 25, 2019|publisher=Respect Mag|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref>

SheMichelle has also starred in reality series ''[[Love & Hip Hop: New York]]'', ''[[K. Michelle: My Life]]'' and ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood]]'' (under the name '''Kimberly'''), as well as in her own special, ''The Rebellious Soul Musical'', directed by [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe]] winner [[Idris Elba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theurbandaily.com/2014/02/03/k-michelle-in-idris-elba-directed-musical/|title=K. Michelle To Star in Idris Elba Directed Musical|work=The Urban Daily|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> Throughout her career, Michelleshe has received four [[BET Awards]] nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2016/bet-international/nominees.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524212918/http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2016/bet-international/nominees.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2016|title=Nominees|date=June 26, 2016|website=BET.com|language=en|access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref> She won a [[Soul Train Music Awards]] and aan [[NAACP Image Awards]] in 2013 and 2014. She was also honored with an [[ASCAP Award|ASCAP Women Behind the Music]] award in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=182XukfyUqs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/182XukfyUqs |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=K. Michelle honored by ASCAP|date=January 12, 2015|website=YouTube.com|language=en|access-date=December 8, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Kimberly Michelle Pate was born on March 4, 19861982, in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Happy Birthday K. Michelle |url=https://majic945.com/74339/happy-birthday-k-michelle/ |website=[[Urban One]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912152627/https://majic945.com/74339/happy-birthday-k-michelle/ |archive-date=September 12, 2020 |date=March 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> As a child, Michelle learned to play piano and guitar, and took voice lessons from Bob Westbrook, who also trained pop singers [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Britney Spears]]. She graduated from [[Overton High School (Memphis, Tennessee)|Overton High School]] in Memphis in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theteenappeal.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/overton-high-visited-by-former-student-k-michelle/ |title=Overton High visited by former student K. Michelle &#124; The Teen Appeal |website=Theteenappeal.wordpress.com |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Jane Roberts |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/life-lesson |title=Entertainers preach gospel of earning an education – The Commercial Appeal |date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=July 28, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629070303/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/life-lesson |archive-date=June 29, 2015 }}</ref> She earned a music scholarship to [[Florida A&M University]] (FAMU) by yodeling at her audition. She was crowned the Freshman Attendant of the [[Homecoming Court]] at the age of 18.<ref name="rattler">{{cite book|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AM00000319/00013/30j|title=Rattler|publisher=[[Florida A&M University]]|date=2001|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> She is a member of [[Delta Sigma Theta]] Sorority Incorporatedsorority, pledging Beta Alpha chapter Fall of 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s2smagazine.com/78938/k-michelle-talks-delta-sigma-theta-being-a-role-model/ |title=K.Michelle talks Delta Sigma Theta, being a role model |publisher=S2SMagazine.com |access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> She reports that she stopped attending classes for a short time to have a son born in September 2004, then returned to finish college.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurweb.com/2014/10/k-michelle-on-beef-with-tamar-and-not-sexing-chad-ochocinco-watch/ |title=K. Michelle on Beef with Tamar and Not Sexing Chad Ochocinco (Watch) |publisher=EURweb.com |access-date=July 28, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104928/http://www.eurweb.com/2014/10/k-michelle-on-beef-with-tamar-and-not-sexing-chad-ochocinco-watch/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She graduated from FAMU with honors and was accepted into several [[law schools]] but did not attend, opting to pursue music full-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/03/k-michelle-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president/ |title=K. Michelle Fans Do Not Approve Of Her Hillary Clinton Endorsement |website=Vibe.com |date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Shamika Sanders |url=http://theurbandaily.com/2012/06/19/k-michelle-baby-daddy-love-hip-hop-atlanta/ |title=Who Is K. Michelle's Baby Daddy? "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" |work=The Urban Daily |date=July 27, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theurbandaily.com/2011/06/24/k-michelle-beef-keyshia-cole-r-kelly-pain-medicine-album-interview/ |title=K. Michelle Talks Beef With Keyshia Cole & Working With R-Kelly on Her Debut Album |work=The Urban Daily |date=June 25, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref>

Michelle's age was reported in her college yearbook as 18 in late 2000, which would put her birth year at 1982.<ref name="rattler"/> Her age was reported as 31 in 2015 by [[The Source (magazine)|''The Source'']] magazine, which would put her birth year at 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2015/03/04/her-source-our-wcw-is-the-birthday-girl-k-michelle/ |title=Her Source &#124; Our #WCW is the Birthday Girl, K.Michelle! |date=March 5, 2015 |publisher=The Source |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s biography of her initially gave a birth year of 1986, then in 2022 reported only “1980s”, but in 2023 the year was changed to 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/k-michelle-mn0002393563 |title=K. Michelle &#124; Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date=March 4, 1986 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref> Michelle gave 1986 in a 2013 interview.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/ladies-and-gents-k-michelle-interview-383|title=27 Year Old RnB Bombshell K. Michelle has interview with Ebony Magazine August 14, 2013|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>twitter.com, March 4, 2013. K. Michelle (verified) "[https://twitter.com/kmichelle/status/308753579987042304 Its my Birthday, Ill tweet what I want to. hahahahahhahahaha I lovin it]". twitter.com, March 4, 2013. Accessed February 21, 2019.</ref> The editor of "GossipWeLove.com" commented on the discrepancies in reported birth year, registering disbelief that Michelle could have entered college, and won her class's prom beauty contest, at age 14. Michelle formed a college friendship with ''[[Basketball Wives]]'' actress Royce Reed who was born in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gossipwelove.com/2013/02/so-k-michelle-pulling-karlie-redd-stunt.html |title=So... K. Michelle Pulling A "Karlie Redd" Stunt, Lies About Her Real Age? &#124; Celebrity Events Gossip News and Lifestyle Magazine |website=Gossipwelove |date=March 4, 1986 |access-date=July 28, 2016 |archive-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212124134/http://www.gossipwelove.com/2013/02/so-k-michelle-pulling-karlie-redd-stunt.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2012, Michelle joined the cast of [[VH1]]'s docu-[[soap opera|soap]] ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/love_and_hip_hop_atlanta/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=15530|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622203522/http://www.vh1.com/shows/love_and_hip_hop_atlanta/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=15530|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 22, 2012|title=Love & Hip Hop Atlanta " Cast › K.Michelle|access-date=August 29, 2012|publisher=VH1}}</ref> The [[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (season 1)|first season]] chronicles her return to the music industry after several personal struggles, including an [[domestic violence|abusive relationship]] with a music executive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://107jamz.com/memphitz-admits-to-beating-k-michelle-and-lost-lawsuit-against-her/|title=Memphitz Admits To Beating K. Michelle And Lost Lawsuit Against Her|work=107 JAMZ|date=April 11, 2015 }}</ref> K was dubbed the show's [[List of breakout characters|breakout star]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Mosi Reeves |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/k-michelle-talks-double-standard-for-black-pop-singers-160705/ |title=K. Michelle Talks Double-Standard for Black Pop Singers |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> signing a multi-album record deal with [[Atlantic Records]] shortly after filming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2012-11-19/K-Michelle-Signs-Major-Record-Deal-With-Warner-Bros-Talks-Being-Blessed-EXCLUSIVE/ |title=K. Michelle Signs Major Record Deal With Warner Bros, Talks Being Blessed |publisher=Singersroom |date=November 19, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref> She returned to the show for a [[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (season 2)|second]] season, which chronicled the recording of her debut studio album, ''[[Rebellious Soul]]''. On May 20, 2013, she released the album's lead single, titled "[[V.S.O.P. (K. Michelle song)|V.S.O.P]]". The track was produced by Pop & Oak, and samples "Very Special", performed by [[Debra Laws]], as well as "That's How Long" performed by [[The Chi-Lites]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://madamenoire.com/284327/pass-or-play-k-michelle-shows-her-skills-in-new-v-s-o-p-video/|title=Pass Or Play? K Michelle Shows Her Skills in New "V.S.O.P." Video|work=MadameNoire|date=July 2013|access-date=January 12, 2015|archive-date=August 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831175127/http://madamenoire.com/284327/pass-or-play-k-michelle-shows-her-skills-in-new-v-s-o-p-video/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theybf.com/2013/05/20/brand-new-music-k-michelles-vsop-single |title=BRAND NEW MUSIC: K. Michelle's "V.S.O.P" Single &#124; The Young, Black, and Fabulous |publisher=Theybf.com |access-date=July 23, 2013}}</ref> "V.S.O.P." reached at number 89 on the US [[Hot 100 Singles]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/276636/k-michelle/chart?f=379|title=K. Michelle|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> and number 27 on the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] charts.<ref name="K. Michelle"/> Its music video, directed by [[Benny Boom]], was released on June 29, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=BRIANBrian Davis / July 1, 2013 |url=http://concreteloop.com/2013/07/music-video-k-michelle-v-s-o-p |title=Music Video: K. Michelle – "V.S.O.P." – Concreteloop.Com &#124; Quality Not Quantity |publisher=Concreteloop.com |date=July 1, 2013 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925181437/http://concreteloop.com/2013/07/music-video-k-michelle-v-s-o-p |archive-date=September 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Exton |first=Emily |url=http://blog.vh1.com/2013-07-01/kmichelle-vsop-music-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703040302/http://blog.vh1.com/2013-07-01/kmichelle-vsop-music-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |title=Watch K.Michelle's Music Video For "V.S.O.P." &#124; Reality TV + Gossip |publisher=VH1 |date=July 1, 2013 |access-date=July 23, 2013}}</ref> ''Rebellious Soul'' was released on August 13, 2013, debuting at number 2 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number one on the U.S. [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts, with first-week sales of 72,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="Rebellious Soul B200 debut">{{cite web|last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25134/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-18-2013|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 8/18/2013|date=August 21, 2013 |publisher=HipHopDX |access-date=August 21, 2013}}</ref> As of December 2014, ''Rebellious Soul'' has sold over 260,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi |title=HITSDailyDouble: Upcoming Releases |publisher=Hitsdailydouble.com |access-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140129032930/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi |archive-date=January 29, 2014 }}</ref>

Michelle toured for a month from July 14, 2016, to August 14, 2016 for her ''Hello Kimberly Tour''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.1063chicago.com/2016/05/31/k-michelle-releases-tour-dates-for-2016-hello-kimberly-tour/|title=K. Michelle Releases Tour Dates for 2016 'Hello Kimberly' Tour|newspaper=106.3 WSRB|access-date=October 15, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On September 30, 2016, Michelle released "Forward", from the soundtrack to the film "[[The Birth of a Nation (2016 film)|The Birth of a Nation]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/otxgjp/k-michelle-the-birth-of-a-nation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424031156/https://www.vh1.com/news/otxgjp/k-michelle-the-birth-of-a-nation|url-status=live|archive-date=April 24, 2023|title=K. Michelle Inspires All to Push "Forward" in Her New Single Featured on The Birth of a Nation Soundtrack|last=Michel September 30, 2016|first=Sarah|website=VH1 News|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2016/09/k-michelle-forward-birth-of-a-nation/|title=K. Michelle Shares New Song 'Forward' from 'The Birth of a Nation' Soundtrack|last1=ratedrnbcom|last2=ratedrnbcom|date=September 30, 2016|website=Rated R&B|language=en-US|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref>

In 2022, K. Michelle announced her sixth studio album, ''[[I'm the Problem]]'', would be her final R&B album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=K. Michelle Announces Her Sixth Album Will Be Her Last R&B Album Titled 'I'm The Problem'|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/k-michelle-announces-her-sixth-230734695.html|access-date=2022-01-12|website=www.yahoo.comYahoo|language=en-US|archive-date=January 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113231252/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/k-michelle-announces-her-sixth-230734695.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was released on September 22, 2023, through [[MNRK Music Group|MNRK]].<ref>{{cite web |title=I'm the Problem by K. Michelle (CD) |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-the-problem-k-michelle/40389656 |website=[[Barnes & Noble]] |access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> Its lead single, "[[Scooch (song)|Scooch]]", was released on February 11, 2022, and reached No. 1 on the [[Adult R&B Songs|''Billboard'' Adult R&B Songs]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/k-michelle-scooch-number-1-adult-rb-airplay-chart-1235116579/|title=K. Michelle 'Scooch' Secures Her First No. 1 Song: 'I'm Over-the-Moon Grateful'|first=Trevor|last=Anderson|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=July 29, 2024}}</ref>

K. Michelle, who has long expressed her desire to record a [[country music]] album,<ref name="Ebony Country Interview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ebony.com/video/country-music-k-michelle-entrance-genre-interview/|title='Country Music Is Who I Am': K. Michelle Discusses Her Long-Awaited Entrance Into the Genre|author=Emanuel Okusanya|date=June 17, 2024|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> began teasing the project which expected to drop after her final R&B album, ''I'm the Problem''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=K. Michelle is Recording a Country Album|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2019/03/k-michelle-is-recording-a-country-album/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=Rated R&B|language=en-US}}</ref> She released a country song titled "Tennessee" as a bonus track on the album, debuting it under her [[alter ego]], Puddin'.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/k-michelle-tennessee-video-1234792897/|title=K. Michelle Finds Herself Some Toxic Country Lovin' In "Tennessee" Video|author=Mya Abraham|date=September 21, 2023|website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> She also featured on the track "Country Love Song" with Justin Champagne<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/k-michelle-justin-champagne-country-love-song-video-1234748031/|title=K. Michelle Wrangles Justin Champagne's Heart in "Country Love Song" Music Video|author=Amber Corinne|date=April 12, 2023|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> and appeared on [[The Judds]] tribute album, ''A Tribute to the Judds'', which was released on October 27, 2023, on a cover of "[[Love Can Build a Bridge]]" alongside [[Jelly Roll (singer)|Jelly Roll]] and [[Fisk Jubilee Singers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6aj3JYiBuWaJrlDSKBFmaG?si=kXTy6OIVQmOPjnA8WCR79w|title=A Tribute to The Judds|date=October 27, 2023|website=[[Spotify]]|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> K. Michelle and Jelly Roll performed the song together on the [[57th Annual Country Music Association Awards]] on November 8, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dgepress.com/abc/pressrelease/luke-bryan-jelly-roll-k-michelle-little-big-town-megan-moroney-old-dominion-carly-pearce-chris-stapleton-tanya-tucker-and-lainey-wilson-to-perform-at-the-57th-annual-cma-awards/ | title=Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker and Lainey Wilson To Perform at 'The 57th Annual CMA Awards' | date=October 25, 2023 }}</ref>

It was announced on July 29, 2024, that K. Michelle had signed a recording contract with [[BBR Music Group]] and [[BMG Rights Management|BMG Nashville]], to release her debut country record.<ref name="BBR Signing">{{cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2024/07/bbr-music-group-bmg-nashville-signs-k-michelle/|title=BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Signs K. Michelle|author=LB Cantrell|date=July 29, 2024|website=Music Row|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> K. Michelle, who had initially wanted to be a country music singer before beginning her R&B career, moved to Nashville and became "fully engulfed" in the process, making connections with creatives, playing with musicians, and recording in her in-home studio.<ref name="Ebony Country Interview"/> She performed in June 2024 at [[CMA Fest]] for the second time in her career, and is finalizing her first headlining tour as a country act.<ref name="BBR Signing"/>

* I’mI'm the Problem Tour (2023)