Kirby Lauryen | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kirby Lauryen Dockery |
| Born | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, [1] neo soul [2] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Roc Nation |
| Website | Website |
Kirby Lauryen Dockery, also known by the stage names Kirby (stylized as KIRBY) and Kirby Lauryen, is an American singer and songwriter. She has written pop songs such as " FourFiveSeconds" performed by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney. She is an independent artist and released her first album, Sis, in 2020. [3]
Life and career
Dockery was born October 24[ when?] in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Southaven, Mississippi. [4] [5] She studied music at Stax Music Academy, [6] and enrolled at Berklee College of Music after high school but left in 2012 to pursue music full-time. She was influenced by Kanye West's The College Dropout. [5] [7]
She began a YouTube challenge where she posted videos of herself singing a new original song for 275 days. [6] She was contacted by Joy Brown of Roc Nation on day 302 of the challenge and signed to the label. [6] [8]
She has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, and Timbaland. [9] [10] Kirby co-wrote the track " FourFiveSeconds", which went through several rounds of edits as directed by Kanye West. [3] She also wrote the song " Die with You" performed by Beyoncé and " Break Your Heart Right Back" by Ariana Grande. [3]
She released her first album, Sis, in February 2020. [3] Robyn Mowatt of Okayplayer referred to it as "a mashup of refreshing deep cuts." [5] Two singles from the album were featured on the soundtrack for the fourth season of Insecure. [8]
In June 2020, Kirby posted a viral TikTok video about the racist origins of the pancake brand Aunt Jemima, and amid other online critiques taking place, the brand announced that they would retire the racist imagery. [1]
Discography
Studio albums
- Sis. He Wasn't the One (2021)
Extended plays
- Sis. (2020)
- I Told You I Would (2022)
Soundtrack albums
- Swarm (with Childish Gambino) (2023)
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Loved by You" | 2016 | Non-album single |
| "Vain" | 2017 | |
| "Kool Aid" | 2019 | Sis. |
| "Don't Leave Your Girl" | ||
| "We Don't Funk" | 2020 | |
| "Velvet (Remix)" (featuring Lucky Daye) (from Insecure) |
Non-album single |
Songwriting credits
indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution
References
- ^ a b Savage, Niara (June 18, 2020). "How Social Media Users Forced Quaker to Retire Its Racist Aunt Jemima Brand". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ Profile, okayplayer.com. Accessed April 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "KIRBY Wants Her Music to Taste Like Mac and Cheese". Interview Magazine. February 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ G. G. M. Staff (September 18, 2017). "ASCAP'S 9th Annual "Women Behind The Music" Honors Singer-Songwriter Kirby Lauryen, Pulse Music Group VP Of A&R Ashley Calhoun And Epic Records' Senior Director Of A&R Ericka Coulter". Guitar Girl Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c Mowatt, Robyn (February 5, 2020). "Tennessee-Bred Singer KIRBY Unveils Funk-Filled Debut Album, 'Sis.'". Okayplayer. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Kirby Lauryen Gives Back to STAX Music Academy". localmemphis.com. September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ "Alumna Kirby Lauryen Cowrites Kayne West, Paul McCartney's 'Only One' | Berklee College of Music". berklee.edu. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Bhanot, Ankita (July 28, 2020). "Feature: KIRBY Makes Soul Music to Heal Herself". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Vasishta, Jeff (June 23, 2020). "In Quarantine, Pop Music's Quiet Topliners Are Gaining More Power". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ "Jennifer Lopez Previews New Album During Intimate Malibu Lunch | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
External links
- Official profile on Roc Nation
- Kirby Lauryen profile on Allmusic
- Kirby Lauryen profile on Discogs