K. Michelle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids K. Michelle
K. Michelle in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Kimberly Michelle Pate
Born	(1982-03-04) March 4, 1982 (age 43) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma mater	Florida A&M University (BL)
Genres	R&B country
Occupation(s)	Singer television personality
Years active	2009–present
Labels	BBR MNRK Atlantic Jive RCA
Children	1

Kimberly Michelle Pate (born March 4, 1982), known as K. Michelle, is an American singer and television personality. She sings both country and R&B music. K. Michelle became well-known from the reality TV show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.

She later signed with Atlantic Records. Her first album, Rebellious Soul, was very successful. It reached number two on the US Billboard 200 chart. Her second album, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?, also did very well. It sold 87,000 copies in its first week.

K. Michelle has released several successful albums. She has also starred in other reality shows. These include Love & Hip Hop: New York and K. Michelle: My Life. She has won awards like the Soul Train Music Awards and NAACP Image Awards.

Early Life and Education

Kimberly Michelle Pate was born on March 4, 1982. She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. As a child, K. Michelle learned to play piano and guitar. She also took singing lessons from a famous coach, Bob Westbrook. He also taught singers like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.

She graduated from Overton High School in 2000. K. Michelle earned a music scholarship to Florida A&M University (FAMU). She got the scholarship by yodeling at her audition! She was also crowned Freshman Attendant of the Homecoming Court at age 18.

K. Michelle is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She took a short break from college to have her son, born in September 2004. She then returned to FAMU and graduated with honors. She decided to focus on her music career instead of going to law school.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Her Music Journey (2009–2011)

In 2009, K. Michelle signed with Jive Records. She released her first R&B song, "Fakin' It". This song featured the artist Missy Elliott. It reached number 100 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

She released more songs in 2010. These included "Fallin'", "I Just Can't Do This", and "How Many Times". Her first album, Pain Medicine, was planned. However, it was never released because Jive Records closed down in 2011.

Reality TV and Album Success (2012–2014)

In 2012, K. Michelle joined the TV show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. The show followed her as she returned to music. She had faced some personal challenges before this. K. Michelle became a very popular star on the show.

Soon after, she signed a new record deal with Atlantic Records. She returned for a second season of the show. This season showed her recording her first album, Rebellious Soul. On May 20, 2013, she released the song "V.S.O.P". This song was produced by Pop & Oak.

Rebellious Soul was released on August 13, 2013. It debuted at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It also reached number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album sold 72,000 copies in its first week. By December 2014, it had sold over 260,000 copies.

In November 2013, K. Michelle started her first tour, The Rebellious Soul Tour. It visited 19 cities across the U.S. In January 2014, she released "Can't Raise a Man". This song also did well on the charts.

K. Michelle later moved to the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York. This helped set up her own spin-off show, K. Michelle: My Life. This show premiered on November 3, 2014.

On September 16, 2014, she released "Love 'Em All". This was the first song from her second album, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?. The album was released on December 9, 2014. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. It also reached number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The album sold 87,000 copies in its first week.

Continued Albums and Tours (2015–2017)

On January 21, 2016, K. Michelle released "Not a Little Bit". This song was from her third album, More Issues Than Vogue. The album was officially released on March 25, 2016. K. Michelle rejoined the main cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta for its fifth season. This season showed her return to Atlanta and the release of her album.

She went on the Hello Kimberly Tour from July to August 2016. On September 30, 2016, she released "Forward". This song was part of the soundtrack for the film "The Birth of a Nation".

Her show K. Michelle: My Life ended after three seasons in February 2017. On September 8, 2017, she released two new songs. These were "Birthday" and "Either Way", featuring Chris Brown. Her fourth album, Kimberly: The People I Used to Know, was released on December 7, 2017. This was her last album with Atlantic Records.

New Music and TV Appearances (2018–Present)

In 2018, K. Michelle joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. This made her the only person to be a main cast member on three different Love & Hip Hop shows. She announced her next project would be called FAB. She also signed a new record deal with Entertainment One Music.

In November 2019, K. Michelle announced her fifth album, All Monsters Are Human. It was released on January 31, 2020. The album received good reviews. It debuted at number 51 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

In 2022, K. Michelle announced her sixth album, I'm the Problem. She said this would be her final R&B album. The album was released on September 22, 2023, through MNRK. Its first song, "Scooch", was released on February 11, 2022. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

Moving to Country Music (2023–Present)

K. Michelle has always wanted to record a country music album. She started hinting at this project after her final R&B album. She released a country song called "Tennessee" as a bonus track on I'm the Problem. She used her alter ego, Puddin', for this song.

She also sang on "Country Love Song" with Justin Champagne. K. Michelle appeared on A Tribute to the Judds, an album honoring The Judds. She sang "Love Can Build a Bridge" with Jelly Roll and Fisk Jubilee Singers. K. Michelle and Jelly Roll performed this song at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2023.

On July 29, 2024, it was announced that K. Michelle signed a contract with BBR Music Group and BMG Nashville. This deal is for her first country music album. K. Michelle moved to Nashville to fully focus on her country music. She performed at CMA Fest in June 2024. She is now planning her first tour as a country artist.

Albums

• Rebellious Soul (2013)
• Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? (2014)
• More Issues Than Vogue (2016)
• Kimberly: The People I Used to Know (2017)
• All Monsters Are Human (2020)
• I'm the Problem (2023)

Tours

Headlining Tours

• Rebellious Soul Tour (2013)
• My Twisted Mind Tour (2015)
• Hello Kimberly Tour (2016)
• The People I Used to Know Tour (2018)
• O.S.D. Tour (2019)
• I'm the Problem Tour (2023)

Supporting Tours

• Ladies Make Some Noise Tour (with R. Kelly) (2009)
• Blurred Lines Tour (with Robin Thicke) (2014)

Awards and Recognition

K. Michelle has received several awards and nominations for her music.

• In 2013, she won a Soul Train Music Awards for Best New Artist.
• In 2014, she won an NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Artist.
• She was nominated for the BET Award for Best Female R&B Artist multiple times.
• In 2015, she was honored with an ASCAP Women Behind the Music award.

Film and Television Appearances

K. Michelle has appeared in various films and television shows.

Film

Television