NYC based, Cleveland raised recording artist, DR King, whose debut single “Love is a Drug” has already tallied over 25,000 streams, landed deal with Onerpm/Monocentric Music and will embark on a national tour as a featured vocalist with Kelly Clarkson in January 2019. After The Voice, King secured a corporate brand endorsement with Old Navy, exclusive Music Premiere on Celebmix, featured vocal spot on Atlantic Records artist, Sir the Baptist upcoming single and is gearing up to release the eagerly awaited sophomore single “Gravedigger”.
Contributor Michael Rand wrote, “you can bet everything you’ve got that (DR King) is going to be one of the most dominant forces in all of the pop come the 2020s.”
DR King’s powerhouse vocals and wide range made him a quick fan favorite on NBC The Voice’s Team Kelly. His battle round with Jackie Foster made Voice history when they became the first two contestants to perform Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” and not be eliminated from the competition afterward. The battle landed them a #71 stop on the iTunes overall singles chart, just one of three songs from the round to crack the Top 100. It also reached #22 on the iTunes pop singles chart. In addition, it received enough viewership to chart on YouTube’s Top Trending videos, days after the performance. King’s elimination from the Top 12 was described by The Voice as among “the most shocking eliminations in Voice history”.
His debut single, “Love is a Drug” featuring fellow The Voice contestant Jackie Foster, was released in August 2018 to rave reviews. King’s debut singles, off King’s upcoming EP, It’s My Life, were co-penned by King, two-time Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Kesha, Hillary Duff), and veteran songwriter Brielle Brown. The entirety of It’s My Life was cut live at Shorefire Recording Studios in Long Branch, NJ and produced by Swersky. Collaborating with Swersky & Brown, King’s EP is visceral and commands attention. Tracks like “Gravedigger” and “Crying Alone” address current social issues King felt relevant and imperative to tackle. The songs are saturated with layers of soul, rock, pop, and funk but his message is simple. “Love and value your self-worth. Always believe in yourself, even when no one else will.”
King and his six siblings grew up in humble beginnings in a poor and highly drug infested neighborhood. King’s father, city employee & keyboardist, and mother worked hard to shelter the family from the streets by immersing them in after-school programs and the church. King didn’t fully realize their immense struggle until he came of age. With roots firmly planted in the church, King began singing at the age of three in his choir. He honed his skills at the Cleveland School of the Arts in the world-renowned R. Nathaniel Dett Choir and later in the Grammy-nominated Central State University Chorus. He shared the stage with the world-class Cleveland Orchestra, The Dayton Philharmonic, and sang at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI.
@drkingnyc [rotatingtweets screen_name=’drkingnyc’]After graduating college King became a high school music teacher in St. John the Baptist Parish in LaPlace, Louisiana and not shortly after a first-grade teacher at Hope Academies in Cleveland, Ohio. Music was the vehicle which allowed King the opportunity to leave Cleveland and travel the world. He soon relocated to NYC where he landed background vocalist work with major artists including Eli Paper Boy Reed, Eric Benet, John Ellison, Andy Grammer, Melvin Davis, and 50 Cent. King currently holds a Monday night residency at Harlem’s famous Ginny’s Supper Club at The Red Rooster.
Tomas Patton III wrote, “DR King has proven himself to be remarkably gifted at delivering lyrics with a powerful dose of sincerity that is reminiscent of pop music’s most iconic figures. You can tell that music means absolutely everything to this man and that his very life has been shaped by the craft that he has given all of himself too. His devotion is inspirational, and his attention to detail is very noticeable in the finished product itself.”
King was eliminated from The Voice on his coach Kelly Clarkson’s birthday. He describes the iconic singer as “generous, loving and real”. The two formed a close camaraderie during the show. “Trust your gift”, says King on continuing to create music and share it with the world. “I have to keep fighting and keep on believing. I’m not going to stop.”
LINKS:
https://instagram.com/drkingnyc
https://twitter.com/drkingnyc
https://facebook.com/drkingnyc
https://youtube.com/drkingnyc
