Meet Kelly Glow: Award-winning Performing Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Glow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I learned long ago that my mission in life is to shine. I was born to perform. That’s why as a performing artist I have dedicated my life to spreading positive messages into the world through musical performance. I’ve seen and heard many other people attempt to share edifying words through music, but it often comes across corny. The music business has commodified and exploited the true foundation of Hip Hop culture which is “peace, love, unity, and having fun!” We rarely see those images portrayed in popular Hip Hop music anymore. My brand Kelly Glow aims to preserve to pure essence of Hip Hop as culture. I AM HIP HOP. I recognize a Higher Infinite Power Healing Our People through Rhythmic American Poetry (RAP). My business helps our community by representing and manifesting light in the life of entertainment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my own production company Kelly Glow Entertainment many years ago because I needed to chart my own path. Just recently, I launched my own record company called Young Gods Records. In the past, I came very close to landing a big record deal twice, but each time the deal fell through. In hindsight, I see it as divine intervention. Being my own boss allows for maintaining creative control of both my art and my career. The record companies wanted me to comprise my values, mutilate my body, and portray a false image. I refused to settle for that. Several women in the industry have agreed to those terms and to each his own, but I am most proud that I did not succumb to those demands.

Education is critical for success in anything. I take myself seriously as a Hip Hop practitioner. So much so that I obtained a doctorate degree in education with an emphasis on school improvement and Hip Hop studies. I’m at a point in my life where I can pull all of this together for my larger purpose in life.

It has been a long road. There are times when I see other artists with a huge platform and I feel that I am just as talented if not better than they are, but then I remember my mission is to be a light in this life. Countless times people have told me how my music inspires them in the most positive way. My music is multi-generational. I have 7 year olds and 70 year olds rocking to Kelly Glow and it is such a beautiful thing.

Winning the Gospel Choice Award in 2015 for Best Hip Hop Album was a major accomplishment. It always feels amazing when you are recognized for your achievements in life. I feel that there is much more in store. I never wanted to be labeled as a “gospel artist” but at that time the content of my music was deeply spiritual. Now this is a new season. I truly believe that it is time for me to present a counter-narrative to what women in popular Hip Hop music are presenting today. We do not all have a Trap mindset, have breast augmentations, and hyper-sexualize ourselves to gain popularity. What about the pretty, hard-working, relatively wholesome women in the world. Where is their voice? Well, have no fear, Kelly Glow is here. I am that voice. That is what sets me apart.

I know that the world has been conditioned to accept mainstream music as the status quo. Nevertheless, I feel strongly that there is room for me in this industry as well. They just need to see and hear me. That’s why I need everyone to subscribe to my YouTube Channel @realkellyglow and check out my brand new single “Pretty Girls Dance”. It is a pure ray of sunshine full of energetic fun that everyone can enjoy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
They don’t call it “Hotlanta” for nothing. There is so much to see and do. If I were showing someone around Atlanta, then our day would start with breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe or the West Egg Cafe. They are both staples in my breakfast/brunch choices with very clean, cozy atmospheres. Then, we would head over to the West End to browse some of the traditionally black-owned businesses and begin to feel the real pulse of the city. We might grab some lunch from Soul Vegetarian while we were still in that area for some really tasty, healthy options. Next, I’d take them over to visit Little Five Points to peruse more book shops and quirky stores like Mood Music so that they could capture even more the sensational vibes pulsating in Atlanta. For some exercise, we’d slide over to the Beltline in East Atlanta, rent some bicycles, and ride over to the Krog Street Tunnel for some dope photo opts. We’d check in with DJ Knotts to see if there were any service projects we could volunteer for through his organization Hip Hop Gives Back. For dinner, we’d either take a ride over to Mary Mac’s Tea Room on Ponce De Leon or Slutty Vegan over on Edgewood Avenue because either choice is a sure winner. For nightlife, we could choose any array of cool rooftop lounges, I don’t necessarily have a preference because most of them are super dope.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My relationship with God through Jesus Christ enables me to be true to myself and accept my authentic calling to record and perform music. Without that none of this would be possible. Next, I encourage anyone who wants to draw closer to the truest essence of Hip Hop as culture to purchase and read “The Gospel of Hip Hop” which is the first instrument presented by KRS ONE for the Temple of Hip Hop. It is a must read for all hip-hop practitioners. Then, special recognition goes out to my friend and manager Director Will Thomas who captures the vision of Kelly Glow so remarkably and vividly. I couldn’t imagine embarking this journey with anyone else. He is a true man of God with undeniable talent and we make a great team. Lastly, a very special thanks goes out to my entire fan base; you truly are the best! Our Mantra is “GLOW GANG” because God’s Leading Our Way – Go and Never Give Up.

Website: www.kellyglow.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/realkellyglow

Twitter: www.twitter.com/realkellyglow

Facebook: www.facebook.com/realkellyglow

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/realkellyglow

Image Credits
Daniel Lee