EMILY KING

Biography

Emily King (born Emily Cowings on July 10, 1985, in New York City) grew up on the Lower East Side in a musically rich environment, the daughter of jazz vocal duo Marion Cowings (African American) and Kim Kalesti (Italian American), who performed and traveled internationally, often bringing her and her older brother along. Surrounded by music from an early age, she struggled in school, earned her GED at 16, and left high school to pursue music full-time, performing in Greenwich Village venues like CBGB's, The Bitter End, and restaurants. Her style blends pop soul, R&B, hip-hop, folk, and jazz influences from her upbringing and discoveries like hip-hop[1][3][4].

King's career launched in 2004 when Sony publisher Bill Brown connected her with producer Chucky Thompson (Hitmen team, known for Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige), leading to a meeting with Clive Davis and a J Records/Sony deal; she appeared on Nas's Street's Disciple that year. Her debut East Side Story (2007) earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album, followed by tours with John Legend, Floetry, Gnarls Barkley, Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, and Erykah Badu. After leaving the label in 2008, she went independent, self-recording Seven EP (2011) at home with producer Jeremy Most, self-releasing The Switch (2015) via Making Music Records, signing with ATO Records for Scenery (2019), releasing acoustic Sides (2020) featuring Sara Bareilles, and earning further Grammy nods for 'See Me' (2021, Best R&B Performance) and Special Occasion (2024, Best R&B Album)[1][2][3][4].

King's legacy endures through her independent resilience, Grammy nominations across categories, international tours (headlining Scenery Tour, supporting Maroon 5, Emeli Sandé, Sara Bareilles), and critically acclaimed work praised for her distinctive voice and eclectic sound, as noted by The Wall Street Journal[3][4].

Fun Facts

• Her first song 'Business Man,' a critique of heartless capitalists, appears on debut East Side Story—she aimed to avoid relationship themes early on[4].
• Received the Holly Prize from Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012, honoring her as an 'all-in songwriter' akin to Buddy Holly's legacy[1][4].
• Self-recorded Seven EP entirely in her home after label split, showcasing DIY independence[1][3].
• Toured as opener for Maroon 5 on their 2011 European/Scandinavian Hands All Over Tour[1][3].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Chucky Thompson - Producer who signed her to his company and helped develop her sound (Demos leading to J Records deal and East Side Story) [2004]
• Clive Davis - Music mogul who signed her after Thompson's introduction (J Records contract for debut album) [2004]
• Jeremy Most - Seven EP [2011]

Key Collaborators

• Nas - Featured appearance on his album (Street's Disciple) [2004]
• Lupe Fiasco - Duet single ("Walk in My Shoes" from East Side Story) [2007]
• Chance the Rapper - Collaboration (Unspecified projects) [Post-2011]
• Brandy - Collaboration (Unspecified projects) [Career-spanning]
• Sara Bareilles - Guest on acoustic track ("Teach You" on Sides) [2020]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia