Tiera Kennedy could also be an rising identify in nation music, however she’s already successful hearts with a sound she calls R&B nation. Throughout a current chat with EBONY, she spoke about balancing songwriting with each day journaling periods that maintain her grounded. It’s a mix of peace and function guiding her path, particularly at a current author’s retreat in Franklin, Tennessee.
Followers shortly took discover of Tiera’s versatility when she made a cameo on the Beyoncé Bowl throughout “Blackbiird.” As if that wasn’t sufficient star energy, she additionally took half within the much-buzzed-about Album of the 12 months-winning Cowboy Carter album, uniting a recent era of voices below the intentional eye of Beyoncé herself. Tiera describes all of it as surreal and deeply motivating, affirming that nation music is prepared for brand spanking new tales and numerous views.
Her debut album, Rooted, carries this identical vitality. A proud Alabama native, Tiera fell in love with the artwork of storytelling whereas listening to icons like Dolly Parton and Tricia Yearwood. As her personal writing advanced, she began mixing nation traditions with R&B parts—an method that caught the eye of followers who recognize the honesty in her music.
Whilst her dwell exhibits develop and her neighborhood grows, Tiera nonetheless finds time to host The Tiera Present on Apple Music, championing fellow artists and highlighting the style’s latest voices. She’s not shy about her objectives, both—modeling, performing and each inventive lane that calls her identify. One factor is definite: if Tiera Kennedy has her approach, nation music won’t ever sound—or really feel—the identical once more.
EBONY: The place on the earth are you situated proper now?
Tiera Kennedy: I’m in Franklin [TN] proper now. I’m really at a author’s retreat, and that is my first time getting again into writing after the vacations. It’s been actually enjoyable, and it’s very peaceable out right here. There’s a pig strolling round someplace, so that you may see him stroll by.
Humorous sufficient, on the subject of songwriting camps or retreats, is that this actually a songwriting camp, or is it extra of a retreat—like a wellness factor—or the place does it fall?
I love to do a mix of each. It’s simply lovely surroundings, and I really feel it’s a lot extra inspiring to jot down on this lovely nature. I really feel a lot extra related to the music and related to life. We discover good surroundings and write good songs which have coronary heart behind it, and discover good individuals who’ve walked by way of comparable paths but additionally completely different paths, and we simply get to create music that I hope will contact lots of people.
The factor that all the time stands out about nation music is how a lot there’s this “fostering of neighborhood” between collaborators. The place do you end up when it comes to that neighborhood? Do you have got associates you may lean on—perhaps some who’re additionally creatives, songwriters, musicians and even folks on the enterprise aspect?
Effectively, [my manager] Takirra is my village [laughs]. It’s humorous you requested that as a result of we’re actually writing a track referred to as “Village” proper now about discovering neighborhood and discovering your folks. That’s been so particular to me, particularly lately, discovering folks I can lean on and who can lean on me. We’re all going by way of one thing; life is hard, and we now have to lean on one another. I’ve all the time been targeted on discovering my folks, and I often write with the identical group as a result of I can have a remedy session once we write.
You’re now at this place the place you’ve been making music for a while and crafting your fan base. What was it like once you had been initially coming into music and determined, “Okay, I’m going to take this critically”? Did you get began extra as a songwriter after which transition into releasing your personal music, or was it all the time you placing out your personal message?
Yeah, I began out songwriting. It was loads about telling my story and what I used to be going by way of. I began writing on my own, after which later I discovered individuals who might assist me inform that story. I believe I all the time knew I wished to be an artist, and lately, it’s actually come collectively what my function is as an artist.
For a very long time, I used to be simply writing music that felt good and was enjoyable to jam to—which is nice, we want a vibe—however I actually need to create music that speaks to folks. It’s been particular these previous few months seeing a neighborhood in my feedback, seeing folks I’ve by no means met earlier than—hopefully in the future I’ll—hook up with a track. That provides such a deeper that means to all of this for me. I believe the flowery issues, like awards, are cool, however that’s not the aim.
Because you’re from Alabama, are you able to share who your loved ones was enjoying once you had been rising up—some actual foundational influences for individuals who won’t know past the final 10 or 15 years of nation music?
Yeah, I listened to a number of Dolly Parton, Shaniah Twain and Tricia Yearwood—these huge feminine voices. I related with it much more as a result of in ’90s nation they wrote no matter was on their minds, particularly Dolly, who didn’t care what anybody considered her lyrics.
Even exterior of artists, I gravitated towards songwriters, discovering music I related to, then who was writing it. Nicole Gallion and Hillary Lindsay wrote so many huge nation songs, and I seemed as much as them and dissected their music. Then, transferring to Nashville—it truly is a small neighborhood—I had the prospect to signal with Nicole Galleon’s songwriting firm. It’s full circle to develop up listening to those songwriters and artists and now work with them.
And also you’ve touched on how R&B influences your music, who in that space impressed you creatively?
I’d say this even when I hadn’t labored along with her, however Beyoncé is such an instance for me. Assembly her as a human was inspiring. It’s been inspiring to take a look at Cowboy Carter and see the larger that means. It wasn’t simply an album of nice songs—it had historical past behind it, it had that means behind it, and even everybody who was concerned within the venture. To see the way in which it shifted the whole world and uncovered so many individuals to our tradition was lovely.
It’s additionally been therapeutic for me to indicate up as my genuine self. I describe my sound as R&B nation, and for a second, I didn’t really feel totally understood in that sound. Now I really feel I’m actually entering into it, because of the neighborhood accepting me for who I’m.
What did it really feel wish to see nation music—particularly with these Black ladies—amplified throughout the globe on the Beyoncé Bowl? What did that visibility really feel like for you?
I tear up each time I give it some thought. For therefore lengthy, I felt I used to be on this bubble, combating for my voice and my music to be heard. I take into consideration the little lady in Birmingham [AL] and the way proud she’d be, and in addition all of the little ladies simply discovering their desires. My hope is that seeing us up there means they by no means must doubt in the event that they belong.
Illustration is so vital, and I by no means noticed myself in nation music. I’m grateful my household made that a lovely factor, telling me I might be the primary. I all the time felt inspired to maintain going, however I puzzled if there’d be an area after us for different little ladies to fill our place. Seeing all these lovely Black ladies on Netflix—subsequent to Beyoncé—that’s so cool. It’s a strong assertion, and it’s taken up so many hearts. It’s so vital.
2024 was large for you—from the beginning of the 12 months all the way in which to Christmas—and now we’re in 2025. You’re an unbiased artist, so with that momentum and being within the driver’s seat of every little thing, do you consider the following stage? Possibly partnering with a brand new firm, or what constructing the empire of Tiera Kennedy appears like?
I’ve realized it’s about neighborhood. After I was signed to my document deal, you get assigned to a gaggle who could or could not love or perceive the music. I’ve realized it’s much less a couple of huge identify and extra about discovering your folks. I really have a neighborhood on my workforce; they carry me up and let me be who I need to be. Everyone seems to be enjoying an element—my mother is at residence packing merch, my husband is my inventive director and type of my supervisor. We must always get pleasure from it, regardless that it’s our job.
I’ve actually beloved being unbiased. It’s not for the faint of coronary heart—there are robust occasions—nevertheless it’s about who you encompass your self with so you may get by way of these moments after which have a good time the massive ones.
Individuals assume being unbiased means doing it alone, however typically it means having extra folks since you’re overseeing every little thing. How do you discover your peace and stability so you may nonetheless create, whereas additionally dealing with studio time, paying the engineer, specializing in logistics, merch—every little thing?
It’s a relentless stability. I begin each morning journaling and speaking to God, laying all of it out: “Lord, that is what I want as we speak. I want peace. Assist me with this dialog.” That’s how I get by way of on daily basis. I didn’t journal yesterday, and it was robust. Each time I speak to Him; He retains me aligned. It’s much less about logistics as a result of every day is completely different. For me, it’s about discovering peace in my coronary heart, and that all the time begins with God.
It’s unbelievable that you simply’re open about your relationship with God. Some folks keep away from speaking about Him, nevertheless it’s refreshing to listen to somebody be so trustworthy. Thanks.
Completely. I wouldn’t have this reward with out Him, so I’ve to speak to Him to determine how finest to make use of it. Every single day I’m like, “Lower me to extend You, Lord.” Sure, I sing nation music, however there’s nonetheless a option to join with folks by way of that. Over the previous 12 months, God has directed each single step. I acquired dropped from my deal, then a couple of months later acquired a name from Beyoncé—that’s solely God. I look to Him in each step, so grateful He trusted me with this reward, and I need to use it the suitable approach.
You launched your debut album Rooted, and it was obtained so effectively. Any plans to maintain supporting it—performing extra or the rest to maintain the momentum going?
Sure, completely. I’m grateful for the brand new neighborhood that discovered my music. I performed a pair exhibits final 12 months, some Rooted showcases, and we missed a number of markets, so we undoubtedly plan to get on the market. We even have an extension of the Rooted story. Even after releasing it, I grew to become extra rooted from seeing the way it affected folks and the way they love me.
I put Rooted out hoping there was an viewers for my R&B nation, and it’s been particular seeing folks gravitate to my favourite songs. It’s impressed me to place much more of myself on the market. The Rooted story isn’t accomplished.
Past Rooted, perhaps personally, what do you need to obtain in 2025, or how do you need to really feel about your self and your music by subsequent 12 months?
I’ve an Apple radio present coming again in March, which has been a particular option to share not simply my very own music however different folks’s too, and carry different artists up. My husband and I really like working collectively and have a wholesome relationship doing so, which isn’t all the time regular. We plan to share that story. I’ve realized I don’t must be only one factor. For a very long time, I assumed being an artist was the one possibility, however I can inform tales in numerous methods. I’m all for modeling, performing—wherever the Lord needs me, I’ll go.