In the age of social media and technology, Kalen Bree is no stranger to the digital world. The 21-year-old Decatur native has already acquired a following on various platforms, most notably Tik Tok. When she isn’t expressing her comedic or musical genius, she’s promoting herself and her work. I discussed with her how exactly she does this, as well as how she got started musically and where she’s headed.
Written By Amariyah Callender
Kalenbree. 📸 Credits: Trefectaa, babycailen (Instagram)
You’ve seemed to gain quite a following on TikTok. How did that begin? Do you use it as a platform to promote your music?
Apparently I'm funny and I'm also a dumbass so that worked. I was just being stupid and that worked. I got one of those “who’s your pokemon” videos and I wanted Jigglypuff but I got another one… then that video blew up, then I made another one and that blew up… I think it’s because I got ADHD.
Her Tik Tok shenanigans helped her get a bigger following on other social media platforms as well.
“I had 40 followers on twitter at the beginning of April and I’m ending with 1200.”
She also uses social media to promote her singles, her latest being “1999”. We discussed her musical beginnings and where she sees herself in the future.
When did you know that you had a passion for music?
... It was something I was surrounded by. At first I wanted to be an author so I was writing till I was 14, then my youth pastor caught me singing in the bathroom and she said “you’re singing next Sunday.” I really didn’t wanna do it at first but then I performed and people liked it so it just took off from there.
She also shared that she isn’t the only musically inclined person in her family. Her father is an R&B artist while her mother works in the choir, and her younger sister performs in musical theater. Other relatives outside of her nuclear family create music as well.
“Music is my only option,” she sincerely expressed. “It’s the only thing that makes me happy. I could do other things, but they cost money.”
Where do you see yourself musically in the next few years?
Ooh… I have no idea. A while ago I would've been like “I’ll be on tour”, but I think I'll still be touring. I’m gonna get hella recognition though, I’m gonna hit like 100k soon. Everything has gone up since I've gone viral.
On the subject of any upcoming releases, not much was said.
“Just my EP, probably, and some singles; it was supposed to be a whole release party and everything and be real chill but, y’know, corona.”
To close, we discussed how Lotus Rosery has helped her grow as an artist.
“Oh my god, if it wasn't for Lotus, I wouldn't know most of the people that I know right now.”
She went on to explain that she had her humble beginnings performing at an open mic event hosted by Lotus Rosery, in which she got close to other local artists and creators such as rapper Vaxo and producer AXIS. She also, of course, built connections with Anwar, the co-founder of the platform. Through her connections, she even made a visit to a V Files event in New York.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Lotus: Kalenbree
Instagram: Kalenbree
Tiktok: Kalenbree
Twitter: Kalenbree
Soundcloud: Kalenbree
Spotify: Kalenbree
STREAM "1999" ON ALL PLATFORMS!
STREAM "ENTOURAGE" FT DAVIDTHETRAGIC ON ALL PLATFORMS!
#LRwins 🌺🌎
