Emily King

Emily King was born on July 10, 1985, in New York City, where she also grew up in a small apartment on the Lower East Side. Her parents, Marion Cowings and Kim Kalesti, were professional singers who often toured, exposing Emily and her older brother to music from a young age. At 16, King decided to pursue a music career, earning her GED and beginning to perform in various New York City venues, including CBGB and The Bitter End. This early exposure and independent drive laid the foundation for her professional journey in music.

King signed her first record deal with J Records in 2004. In August 2007, she released her debut album, “East Side Story.” This album quickly gained recognition, leading to a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album in December 2007. After her tenure with J Records, King continued her artistic development independently. In July 2011, she self-recorded and released her follow-up EP, “Seven,” from her home studio. Over these years, she toured extensively, both domestically and internationally, sharing stages with prominent artists such as Nas, John Legend, Alicia Keys, and Maroon 5, which significantly broadened her performance experience and reach.

Her career continued to progress with notable achievements and increasing recognition. In 2012, The Songwriters Hall of Fame honored King with the Holly Prize, acknowledging her songwriting quality. She signed with ATO Records in 2017, leading to the release of her third studio album, “Scenery,” in February 2019. “Scenery” earned nominations for multiple Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Song for “Look at Me Now” and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. In 2020, her song “See Me,” released in response to racial unrest, received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance. Her fifth album, “Special Occasion,” released in May 2023, was also nominated for Best R&B Album at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards, demonstrating her sustained impact and artistry in the music industry.