Meet Kyresha | Singer & Songwriter

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

Hi Kyresha, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Washington D.C. and the rich music culture there really exposed me to different genres of music. I remember being young, listening to GoGo bands like X.I.B., New Impressionz, and The Reaction Band and hearing these songs that I grew to love which made me seek out the original artist of those pieces. Hearing the songs the DC way and then hearing them the original way piqued my interest in R&B music and I’ve been hooked ever since.

While growing up, my family was always into the arts, my mother used to teach dance classes, my older sister attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts for dance, my older brother marched with the Eastern Senior High School Blue and White Marching Machine, my second eldest sister used to do ballet with me, and my twin brother used to dance. D.C. provided a lot of ways to keep us engaged in the arts and I’m forever grateful that I had those opportunities.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an R&B singer. I started dropping music once I graduated from college in 2023. One of the few things that sets me apart from others is my deeper understanding of the history of music. I love to learn, so taking a deep dive into the origin story of how music came to be and its birthing place allows me to appreciate all aspects of music. The second thing that sets me apart from others is my authenticity, I create music based on real life and I’m not afraid to allow myself to be vulnerable regardless of whatever song I’m creating.

I’m most excited about my EP, Diary of a Lover Girl, which is coming out soon! I wanted my first project to feel like the listener was right there with me while I was living through these experiences. Every song stems from a person or certain situations that I’ve navigated through post-undergrad and I hope the listeners can feel the emotions I felt while creating them.

Getting to the place I am now wasn’t easy. It took a lot of hard work, setbacks, sleepless nights, and patience. I overcame the challenges by surrounding myself with people who wouldn’t allow me to be my biggest enemy. My Bennett Sisters and Morehouse Brother showed up for me when I wasn’t able to show up for myself and I’m blessed to have them be a part of my journey. They never gave up on me and wouldn’t allow me to give up on myself.

One lesson that I’ve learned along the way is to never stop advocating for yourself when it comes to YOUR work. People will try to do things their way because that’s what they like but the song or project is yours. You know your vision better than anybody else, treat it like it’s your baby. They can help but they can’t take over.

I want the world to know that I’m just a girl, I’m a lover girl who wants to create a safe environment through my music where people can feel seen, heard, and validated regardless of the emotions they might be experiencing at the moment.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the area, we would go to the Han Palace for some good Chinese food and bottomless drinks, and those bottomless drinks are really bottomless lol. We would also check out Swingers, it’s a cute minigolf place with fun obstacles, good food, and amazing vibes. Park at 14th for a good night on the town with drinks, and DJs on three different floors with every floor having a different vibe. Every party with Su Casa goes crazy! I enjoyed my time at Harlot! I’d take them to On The Rocks, hookah, drinks, great music. Shanklin Hall up Adam’s Morgan and my favorite spot ever, Exotic Hookah Lounge. A place to go when you want to have fun but not with a lot of chaos, great hookah, and phenomenal atmosphere, it’s a cool way to end a night during the weekend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my directors! First up, Tedrick Bonds from Eastern Senior High School. He saw a gift in me at a time when I couldn’t see anything in myself. He took 3 years of his time to pour knowledge into me and mold me into a confident performer and I’m forever grateful.

I also would like to shoutout Greg Watkins, for seeing the light in me and teaching me how to make it brighter while being a scholartist and introducing me to my life long friends and bestfriend!

Third, I would like to thank Dorothea Taylor, my director, role model, advisor, and sister from Bennett College for Women. She taught me how to give myself grace and showed me how precious my gift is. She taught me how to advocate for myself so I can perform to the highest degree healthily.

Lastly, I would like to thank Bennett College and NCA&T for allowing me to meet intelligent young black professionals and lifelong friends who will support you through and through. Thank you for providing safe spaces for young black artists to thrive while becoming educated.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyresha.lynnae/

Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/X6CnwTvHELY6Yyf8A

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiCznjn-KcLYmlUvOaHZ6Hg

Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kyresha/1629722966

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YLfW5UKAVmVTmVHLVT3jr?si=Y7pvzh5FQ96aG7GvMWY0Ng