R&B newcomer Bridget Kelly is creating a buzz in the music industry.
The 23-year-old singer is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label and is performing on his Empire State of Mind single as part of JayZ-’s Blue Print 3 tour.
“I never anticipated that I would be starting out at such a high level. It’s been amazing being on tour,” the budding singer told the Defender.
The New York City native honed her singing and songwriting skills at New York’s LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts.
“I think attending LaGuardia prepared me creatively, but performing, that comes from the heart,” she said.
She practiced singing in the mirror along with her idols Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Pink.
Then her break came in 2006 when a mutual friend introduced Kelly to what is now her management team. That led to open mic opportunities throughout the city. Then in 2008, scored a meeting with Roc Nation’s team, which netted her a recording and publishing deal with the rapper’s record label.
Some fans have likened Kelly’s image Alicia Keys. The two even sing on Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind.
While the multi-award winning Keys can be heard belting the hook on the studio version of the song, Kelly makes it her own on tour with Jay-Z.
But filling in for Keys can be both daunting and flattering, Kelly said she found out.
“I’m a fan of Alicia’s. It’s a tough song to sing. Her version is a point of reference for me. She nailed it,” Kelly told the Defender.
BK, as she is affectionately known, already has gained a YouTube following with her cover of Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. She is planning to release more material on a mixtape.
“There will be a wide variety of music and genres,” she explained.
As for her as-yet-untitled album, she will be working with a variety of producers including Linda Perry and No I.D. She claims music listeners will be surprised.
“I think people are really going to be surprised. Everyone is definitely going to find a couple of songs they can relate to,” Kelly said.
Bridget Kelly’s album is scheduled to be released later this year.
The 23-year-old singer is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label and is performing on his Empire State of Mind single as part of JayZ-’s Blue Print 3 tour.
“I never anticipated that I would be starting out at such a high level. It’s been amazing being on tour,” the budding singer told the Defender.
The New York City native honed her singing and songwriting skills at New York’s LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts.
“I think attending LaGuardia prepared me creatively, but performing, that comes from the heart,” she said.
She practiced singing in the mirror along with her idols Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Pink.
Then her break came in 2006 when a mutual friend introduced Kelly to what is now her management team. That led to open mic opportunities throughout the city. Then in 2008, scored a meeting with Roc Nation’s team, which netted her a recording and publishing deal with the rapper’s record label.
Some fans have likened Kelly’s image Alicia Keys. The two even sing on Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind.
While the multi-award winning Keys can be heard belting the hook on the studio version of the song, Kelly makes it her own on tour with Jay-Z.
But filling in for Keys can be both daunting and flattering, Kelly said she found out.
“I’m a fan of Alicia’s. It’s a tough song to sing. Her version is a point of reference for me. She nailed it,” Kelly told the Defender.
BK, as she is affectionately known, already has gained a YouTube following with her cover of Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. She is planning to release more material on a mixtape.
“There will be a wide variety of music and genres,” she explained.
As for her as-yet-untitled album, she will be working with a variety of producers including Linda Perry and No I.D. She claims music listeners will be surprised.
“I think people are really going to be surprised. Everyone is definitely going to find a couple of songs they can relate to,” Kelly said.
Bridget Kelly’s album is scheduled to be released later this year.
