Emily King
| Urban Underground Soul Music Magazine |
Committed to finding the common ground between rock and soul,
black and white, hip-hop party music and songs of protest –
talented young New York-based singer and songwriter Emily
King has completed her debut album for J Records. Entitled
EAST SIDE STORY, the album will arrive in stores in the
Spring of 2007, preceded by the first single pick, her self-penned
“Walk in My Shoes.”
The offspring of two internationally renowned jazz singers – one
Italian, one African-American – 20-year old Emily was exposed
to music since early childhood. The mean and loving streets of
the lower eastside (where she still lives) were her nurturing
ground, and imparted a world view that can be felt on songs like
“Business Man” (a commentary on heart¬less capitalists, and the
first song she completed) and “Colorblind,” the last song she
wrote for EAST SIDE STORY. It is also the one that most
directly addresses her experience as the child of a bi-racial
marriage. “I think that song really brings it all together,” she says.
“It sums up what I’m about, where I’m from, and gives an idea of
the passion behind what I’m doing.”
Throughout EAST SIDE STORY, Emily’s eclectic range of
heroes and influences can be recognized, from the Beatles and
Nas to Sarah Vaughan and Radiohead, from Michael Jackson to
Neil Young. “Every record that I’ve ever heard has been an
influence on me,” she says, “there are so many things in this
world to talk about.” From banging around on a guitar in her
apartment to performing on the local folk club circuit at such
noted venues as the Bitter End and CBGB’s Gallery, Emily’s
musical vision grew. It soon encompassed hip-hop as she met
producer Chucky Thompson, a member of Bad Boy
Entertainment’s famed Hitman studio team who had recorded
smashes with the likes of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige.
Emily was signed to Thompson’s production company and her
first round of demos got the attention of J Records. Work on her
album proceeded over nearly two years, as she collaborated with
such notable producers as Salaam Remi and Marsha (from
acclaimed rap duo Floetry). EAST SIDE STORY brings together
Emily’s roots as a singer-songwriter with soul-drenched vocals
and fluid hip-hop beats – resulting in a truly special blend, a
place where the coffeehouse meets the dance floor.
Emily’s life and personality suffuses her music, from the
undulating “Walk in My Shoes,” to “U & I,” the latter based on
the story of her “biggest influence,” her parents. There is the
gorgeous, yearning “Hold Me,” while “Ride” is described as “a
nice easygoing song with a basement reggae feel to it, and a real
Beatles influence.” Emily also delivers a sultry cover of Bill
Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
“I’ve always been an observer, I’ve always really tuned in to people and
their stories, their feelings,” she says. “I’m just finding my own culture
within myself. We have a lot of division in our society, but I was never
raised like that. I feel like what I’m doing right now is going to bring a
lot of people together.”
black and white, hip-hop party music and songs of protest –
talented young New York-based singer and songwriter Emily
King has completed her debut album for J Records. Entitled
EAST SIDE STORY, the album will arrive in stores in the
Spring of 2007, preceded by the first single pick, her self-penned
“Walk in My Shoes.”
The offspring of two internationally renowned jazz singers – one
Italian, one African-American – 20-year old Emily was exposed
to music since early childhood. The mean and loving streets of
the lower eastside (where she still lives) were her nurturing
ground, and imparted a world view that can be felt on songs like
“Business Man” (a commentary on heart¬less capitalists, and the
first song she completed) and “Colorblind,” the last song she
wrote for EAST SIDE STORY. It is also the one that most
directly addresses her experience as the child of a bi-racial
marriage. “I think that song really brings it all together,” she says.
“It sums up what I’m about, where I’m from, and gives an idea of
the passion behind what I’m doing.”
Throughout EAST SIDE STORY, Emily’s eclectic range of
heroes and influences can be recognized, from the Beatles and
Nas to Sarah Vaughan and Radiohead, from Michael Jackson to
Neil Young. “Every record that I’ve ever heard has been an
influence on me,” she says, “there are so many things in this
world to talk about.” From banging around on a guitar in her
apartment to performing on the local folk club circuit at such
noted venues as the Bitter End and CBGB’s Gallery, Emily’s
musical vision grew. It soon encompassed hip-hop as she met
producer Chucky Thompson, a member of Bad Boy
Entertainment’s famed Hitman studio team who had recorded
smashes with the likes of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige.
Emily was signed to Thompson’s production company and her
first round of demos got the attention of J Records. Work on her
album proceeded over nearly two years, as she collaborated with
such notable producers as Salaam Remi and Marsha (from
acclaimed rap duo Floetry). EAST SIDE STORY brings together
Emily’s roots as a singer-songwriter with soul-drenched vocals
and fluid hip-hop beats – resulting in a truly special blend, a
place where the coffeehouse meets the dance floor.
Emily’s life and personality suffuses her music, from the
undulating “Walk in My Shoes,” to “U & I,” the latter based on
the story of her “biggest influence,” her parents. There is the
gorgeous, yearning “Hold Me,” while “Ride” is described as “a
nice easygoing song with a basement reggae feel to it, and a real
Beatles influence.” Emily also delivers a sultry cover of Bill
Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
“I’ve always been an observer, I’ve always really tuned in to people and
their stories, their feelings,” she says. “I’m just finding my own culture
within myself. We have a lot of division in our society, but I was never
raised like that. I feel like what I’m doing right now is going to bring a
lot of people together.”
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