by James Coulter
K Tenee grew up among an eclectic ensemble of musicians, from gospel singers, blues musicians, and radio disc jockeys. So, it’s no surprise that her musical style is an eclectic combination of various musical genres.
One could almost say her brand changes as much as she does, which is a sentiment she expresses through her newest single, “Brand New Me.” In her latest song, the local R&B artist crones about how much she wants the world to know she’s a brand-new person.
“The lyrics in that song…inspires so many people,” she said. “It was inspirational without them even knowing they could relate to it in their own world without them even knowing what it meant to them. So, I think it is a global message that a lot of people in all walks of life will be able to enjoy and appreciate.”
K Tenee’ will be performing her greatest hits at the upcoming Jokes n Jamz 5, to be hosted at Wales Pointe Restaurant in Downtown Lake Wales on Fr. May 19. She will be performing among various other musicians and comedians for a truly unforgettable evening.
Ever since she was young, K Tenee’ was surrounded by various great musicians. Her extensive musical background inspired her to pursue a career as a musician, though her budding talent proved to be quite surprising even for her musical family.
She pinpoints her trajectory toward her musical career at age three. Her older sister recalls the story when young K Tenee’ learned a popular song her family regularly played on a vinyl record. She learned the song simply by listening to it. Her ability to sing it by heart shocked and excited her family.
“From then on, they always told me they knew I had a special gift,” K Tenee’ explained. “So I think because I was blessed and fortunate enough to be around people who appreciated entertainment in the music industry just in this raw form, I was able to be inspired pretty easily and [I] just got involved. Everything I could think of, I wanted to be a part of it if it had anything to do with music…That was my biggest inspiration: just being around people who loved music.”
Tenee’ listened to everything from Prince and Tina Marie to Whitney Huston and Michael Jackson. Her family would listen to such great musicians so often that she could not help by pick up on their musical style and incorporate it into her own. She also received classical training as an opera singer, which allowed her to perform at many different cities across Florida. Her performance proved so exquisite that she was called the “Young Cathlene Battle.”
She has since risen into the shining star she is today. She regularly performs at venues across Central Florida and Polk County, and she has released two singles—including her most recent, “Brand New Me.” Her popularity has grown on social media, including her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and her songs have received incredible hits on musical platforms like Spotify.
“Here [on social media] her musical and entertaining ambitions continued to grow, aided by the sounds of old-school jam sessions that she shares during live streams, occasionally belting out her favorite throwback ballads, simply captivating the views for hours,” her website states.
K Tenee’ has performed many times at Wales Pointe in Lake Wales, and she will perform there once again at the upcoming Jokes n Jamz 5. She learned about the quaint eatery while visiting the small town. After having a great meal and stirring up an even better conversation with the owner, Tiffany Davis, she discovered a venue that match her own “southern sassiness.”
“She [Tiffany Davis] walked up to the table and began to share some of the things she wanted to do for the community…and I fell in love with her goals and her vision for the community,” K Tenee’ said. “I am from Polk County, and I am very attached to it personally. So I wanted to perform there just to be part of history, just to be part of what she was doing, and I wanted to bring something to the table. She loves my music. She loves my style…and told me she would love to have me here. I could not wait to do it.”
K Tenee’ will perform at Wales Pointe during the Jokes n Jamz 5 on Fri, May 19. To learn more about the event, visit their website at: http://www.djbushentertainment/events.
To learn more about K Tenee’ and her music, visit her website at: https://ktenee.com.
K Tenee’ was recently interviewed on the “Chattin on the Ridge” podcast. Listen to the podcast episode on Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/2uHp9lhSIzb
