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00:00Today is a special day. We've got an amazing icon in the building, Detroit's very own.
00:05He's definitely been the soundtrack of my life because the first song that I ever remember hearing
00:09was Love Calls and I knew that my mom was in a good mood when she was playing Love Calls, okay?
00:15So let me have the honor of introducing Kim to the building. How you doing?
00:19I'm good, Leisha. How are you?
00:21I'm doing fantastic because again, I'm making my mama's dreams come true right now.
00:25There you go.
00:25She is so upset that she can't be here.
00:27We'll call her after. We'll call her after.
00:29You're going to make her day. You're going to make her day.
00:30So how are you doing? Because you are killing it right now.
00:33Huge announcements and you're about to have an amazing show here in Detroit soon.
00:37So how are you feeling?
00:38I'm fantastic. Fantastic. Yes. Good to be in the deep. Good to be at home.
00:43The place that I love with the people that I love, you know, it's good. It's good. Life is good.
00:49So I'm a new Detroiter now.
00:51Okay.
00:51So what has been your favorite part about Detroit?
00:54Like when you come back or when you've been overseas or you've done some, a lot of press
00:59or touring, what's the one thing that you have to immediately do when you come back home?
01:04Um, I like the food. Uh, so that could be anything from, uh, greens, hamburgers and, uh, Farmington
01:12Hills to, uh, a Coney dog. And actually I was thinking about, um, Louisiana Creole after I leave
01:19here or, uh, you know, and I like the hot dogs over at home Depot too. Look, you can go to
01:23Home Depot, pull up to the Home Depot, man. Look, I gotta, yeah. So the food, the people,
01:28the Midwest, you know, um, the hustle, the grind, the, uh, unpretentiousness, you know, of
01:37the people that's laid back, you know? And, uh, so Detroit, Detroit is always, is always
01:42home.
01:42I've definitely noticed the grind and the fact that they are not fully like jaded by
01:48any celebrities who come around. Like everybody's a celebrity in Detroit.
01:52Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Where are you from?
01:53I'm from DC originally.
01:55Oh, DC. We like DC. I love DC. W, W. Well, I don't know if I should say the station in here.
02:00I probably get, yeah, we love DC.
02:02Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure you, I was about to say, hold on now. Am I going to
02:06say something wrong for saying it?
02:07The DM, the DMV. Come on now.
02:09Okay.
02:09Yeah.
02:10Yeah.
02:10It's all love.
02:11Yeah. So obviously I'm a huge fan of yours and I just wanted to dive into your music a
02:17little bit before we talk about the extravaganza you're about to do for your birthday weekend.
02:22First of all, happy upcoming birthday.
02:23Thank you. Thank you.
02:24How are you feeling about your birthday coming up?
02:26It's better to have one than not.
02:28Correct. Correct. Okay. So as you're going into this upcoming year and you've had so many
02:35albums and songs come out, I think that this is going to be a very hard question. Maybe,
02:39maybe not. What is the album that feels like you right now? Like that in your current state
02:45of life?
02:46I'm rocking to the, to the music that I'm, I'm, I'm creating right now.
02:50Okay.
02:50You know, um, we've got some really exciting things happening, you know, as you know,
02:55and, uh, I'm in a real creative space. Um, so we're releasing new music, uh, on, uh, on my
03:02label chemistry records. And, uh, we're really, really, really excited about it. So I'm, I'm,
03:07I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, uh, I'm locked into, um, you know, this season, I call this season,
03:13and the return to love, you know, it's a return to love. It's a return to all of the things
03:18that, uh, make me want to do what I do and that have motivated me, you know, for, for all these
03:24music, the music has motivated me since I was a kid, you know? So I'm, I'm, I'm returning to that,
03:29to that space creatively and, uh, it feels really good.
03:33Love in all of its facets, all of its facets.
03:36I love that. So you already brought it up. We heard the amazing announcement that you are now
03:41officially bringing back chemistry records. Yeah. How are you feeling about this new venture?
03:47What are you looking forward to for the new revitalization of chemistry records?
03:52Um, it's amazing for me and it's, uh, and it's amazing for, for my fans. Um, you know, the, the,
03:59the industry has, has undergone a sea change over the last 10, 15 years, and people are
04:06listening to music differently. You know, um, you got to fight for the attention of your, of,
04:11of, of your listener. Uh, radio has always been a great partner for me and, and, uh, and I'm happy
04:17about that. Um, but we'll be able to put music out, you know, when, when, when I want to, if I got
04:22something hot, which, which I do right now, but when I got something hot, I can put it out
04:27immediately. And there are, there are so many, uh, vehicles to exploit your music, to put your music
04:33out into the world from social media, content creators, licensing sync. Um, you know, so it's,
04:40it's, it's an exciting time, you know, and I'm, and I'm really, really happy about it.
04:43And I know that you've already kind of talked about how you've been doing this for a very long
04:48time, because I have a quote that even though you're signed, you're still independent. And I
04:53feel like people really needed to hear that. So I wanted to bring up that quote again, because when
04:58you put out chemistry, you put out 17,000 units independently. Am I correct? Yes. Yes. So now
05:04you're bringing this into a whole new venture just for yourself, or are you going to open this up to
05:09other people potentially sometime in the near future? Well, right now it's just the, the, the
05:13label, um, is a, is just a vehicle for me, you know, and we'll see what the, we'll see what the future
05:19holds. You know, I think that, um, um, you know, and, and yeah, when you're assigned to a label,
05:24you are, you are an independent, there's nobody who's going to come into your, you know, to all
05:28the artists out there, aspiring artists, there's nobody who's going to come, you know, you, there,
05:33there are opportunities that will come, but ultimately you're always responsible for,
05:37for carrying the narrative of, of your career and your business. You're responsible for that
05:42because everybody is, you know, in, in all business and all walks of life, all relate,
05:47everybody's trying to do what's best for them, you know, and, uh, and there's a place for that.
05:52So you need to be mindful and cosmic cognizant of what's going on so that you can make the right
05:58moves for you. So now that you are officially independent, and even though you've been doing
06:03this on your own for quite some time, what keeps you motivated in those moments where everything
06:08just feels like it's piling up? Cause I can only imagine what you have to deal with on a day-to-day
06:12pace is just as an artist, but now you also have more of the business side that you also have to
06:18decide on. So how do you keep focused and like motivated to keep pushing?
06:22Um, I've assembled a great team of, uh, industry professionals, you know, um, I don't, uh, claim
06:29to, you know, be, um, doing, doing it all by myself. I was talking to somebody earlier today,
06:37you know, we always talk about when we're talking about our kids, we say that it takes a village,
06:41but for grown folks too, it takes a village, you know, so I'm, I don't, I don't operate alone.
06:46I have them surrounded by great people. And, uh, and we just get it done.
06:50I love that.
06:51Yeah.
06:52So I know that you already mentioned that music has saved your life. Music and your specific music
06:58has definitely touched people's lives. I mean, like I said earlier, when I knew my mom was in
07:02a good mood was when she was rotating Kim's albums like clockwork. So how do you feel when people
07:08come up to you and they say that they've used your songs at weddings or that your songs healed
07:13them in a really broken time? Like, how does that feel that your music is now become the
07:17soundtrack to people's lives? Like the Stevie wonders and the Marvin Gaye's music made soundtrack
07:22to your life.
07:23You know, I, that it's a very, it's very humbling. Um, and it is, uh, you know, I look at what
07:30I do is in a way it's, it's sort of like ministry, you know, um, this, this music, this message
07:37of, of, of love. And, uh, I'm always, I talk about faith and, and redemption, all of those
07:43things that, that we're all in need of and looking and looking for. Um, so yeah, so people
07:50are getting married to the music. They're cleaning their house to the music. They're, they're on
07:54road trips, listening to the music. They, they, they're, um, getting chemo, chemotherapy
07:59treatment, listening to the music. You know, they're grieving the loss of a loved one listening
08:05to the music, you know? So it is, is really something that I don't take for granted to
08:09be, as you say, so eloquently, uh, the soundtrack, you know, to, to people's lives. It's a blessing.
08:16Yes. There's definitely one song that I think hits even more today in 2025. You performed
08:23it on your tiny desk home performance friend today. Incredible song. We need to do something
08:30with that record.
08:31Yes, please. Can we say it right now? Yes, please do it.
08:34You need to do something with that record.
08:35I think that that song resonated with me so well because, um, I listened to it first when
08:41I was in college and I was going through trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life
08:45and how I can be a vessel to other people and how that looked like. And seeing that song,
08:50especially in 2020 was such a moving moment. But how do you feel like that song in any of
08:57your songs managed today? Like, how does that make you feel when you listen to friend today
09:02in 2025? Um, those, uh, the, you know, the message in friend today is still relevant,
09:08right? You know, it's more relevant now than it, than, than it was then. I mean, these times that,
09:13uh, that we're living in with the divisiveness that is in, in the country and, uh, and, you know,
09:18the political divide, the cultural divide, you know, um, you know, ultimately we're all,
09:24you know, we're all in this thing together. Right. And, um, yeah. So I think that, that
09:28those messages are, are more, those, those messages are, they're evergreen, you know,
09:35cause we're always going to be up against, uh, the, you know, up against the, the human condition,
09:42you know? So, so yes, it's relevant. I'm glad you mentioned that song. Friend today is a,
09:47it's a good one. That's definitely one of my favorite deep cuts.
09:49Like I love the hits and I love the singles. Something about friend today with, with that
09:54sultry voice that we all know that we have the iconic baby. Yeah. I can't do it. I can't,
10:01I'm gonna let you do that. But when it comes to music, I've always wondered this too. A lot of
10:06times there's songs that don't make the record or songs that almost didn't, but made it. Are there
10:11any songs that throughout your 22 years since chemistry came out that almost didn't make the
10:17cut that people would have been like, Whoa, what do you mean? That almost didn't make the album.
10:21Yeah. My first Grammy nomination, uh, was for a song called, why would you stay? And, uh, it almost,
10:27it almost didn't make the cut. Wow. It was on the shelf until, uh, uh, a producer, friend of mine,
10:33uh, Rex ride out. He heard it and, um, and convinced me to, you know, to see it, to see it through.
10:40Yeah. Well, shout out to the producer Rex because come on now you wouldn't have that first Grammy.
10:47Nah, there you go. Right. And I think that happens a lot in your life. Like when things are about to
10:53change for you, there's always some like moment that sets into place. You mentioned that you did
11:02the part of Tina Turner and we are the world at your high school. Well, not at, yeah, at your high
11:07high school graduation, you didn't get a diploma. Yes. But then that unlocked the doors for so much
11:11more. Yeah. So in moments where you were, I guess, not really realizing what was up next for you and
11:19then to see it, how you've transitioned and become this, in my eyes, legend in the world, how does it
11:25feel coming from, you know, the streets of Pontiac streets of Southfield? Like, how does it feel now
11:30walking these streets, knowing how much purpose you have changed into the world? Um, you know, I think,
11:36uh, one of the, one of the challenging things about nurturing your, uh, your dream and, uh,
11:44nurturing your passion is, you know, you don't always have, um, you don't always, there's,
11:54there's not a lot, there's not always a lot of evidence.
11:56Mm. Mm. Mm-hmm.
11:59There's not always a lot of evidence. And I'm talking to somebody right now. There's not always
12:10a lot of evidence there, you know, there are times when you will be, uh, where, where your dream,
12:17where it will be, it will be quiet. Mm-hmm.
12:20Mm-hmm. A lot of times when you'll be by yourself, a lot of times when there, you will,
12:25you will, you will doubt. And I tell people, like, I always knew what I wanted to do.
12:29Right.
12:31But I always, you don't always, you know, but there's, but there's doubt along the way.
12:35Mm-hmm.
12:36You know, and, but there are all these little, these little glimpses of these little, uh,
12:41God winks, these moments, you know, like me singing, uh, Tina Turner's part in We Are the
12:49World. There are all these little winks that like, yeah, this is, this is for you, but there's
12:53preparation and there's work that needs to be done before, before it's there. So it's going to be
12:57quiet for a while. Right.
12:59You know, um, I was making music in the nineties and, and, uh, I was signed to this independent
13:05label and the label packed up and moved to Atlanta, you know, and, and I was,
13:11I was going to pack up and move. I was going to, you know, that was my circle, my circle
13:15of cats, you know, but I also had a daughter here who was, who had just been born. It was
13:20like 19, 1995. And, uh, you know, I didn't, um, I didn't, uh, I thought that I had this
13:28plan in my head that I would, I would go to Atlanta and I would come back every couple of
13:34weeks and like see my daughter. Right. And, uh, you know, but ultimately, I mean, but deep
13:39down, like I knew that, that, that wasn't going to happen, you know, and, uh, and I,
13:43and I didn't follow, I didn't follow my friends, you know, your dream will couples, your dream
13:49will set you apart, you know? And, um, you know, so, and though, and it was a quiet time,
13:56there was no music being written. Right. You know, there was no, you know, it was a long
14:00time before I, I had my own keyboard, you know, and, uh, but the dream is still there.
14:05It's like, it don't go nowhere. Right. You know what I mean? So, um, to everybody who's
14:10nurturing something, who's holding onto something, you hold onto it, you know, you hold onto it.
14:15The only way out is through. And, uh, if it's for you, it is for you. And just because you
14:21don't, you don't see the evidence doesn't mean that it's not there. You know, faith is,
14:26faith is, is, is, is, uh, the, the evidence of what's not seen, you know? So, so, you know,
14:35so there you go. Now I'm gonna ask the ushers to come forward.
14:40Start paying for ties and offerings. I appreciate that. Cause you were definitely speaking to me.
14:46I appreciated everything that you just spoke about, but before we get into what you are here
14:53to talk about the concert and everything, I want to play a little game. It's called chemistry match.
14:57Oh, here we go. It's a little, this or that is just real quick. So valid or mid tempo.
15:05What's better for you? Your personal favorite.
15:10Both.
15:11I love it. Marvin Gaye or Sam Cooke?
15:14Marvin.
15:17Candlelight or the, or city lights?
15:20Candlelight.
15:21Okay. Studio or stage?
15:25Both. You can't have one without the other.
15:27That is true. Right at night or right early morning?
15:31At night. Well, actually, no, I write all the time. I mean, yeah, now we got kids running all over the house. So I have to, I have to get in when I, when I fit in. So it doesn't matter.
15:40That's true. That's true. A quick little game just to change pace. But July 25th and 26th to celebrate not only your birthday, but just to celebrate the fact that we are outside.
15:50You're going to be at the Aretha with a songstress herself, Shantae Moore.
15:56Yeah.
15:56What are we going to be expecting? What is going to be what you want people to leave from when they are there July 25th and 26th?
16:04Well, we always have a good time down at the Aretha. It's probably, you know, at the top of the list of venues that I like to perform at in, in, in the country, in the world, actually. One, because it's at home. Two, because of the, the aesthetic of being on the, on the, on the waterfront.
16:24Um, you know, the boats come up behind the stage and, and, uh, you know, it's just, it's just a vibe being there. But this year, you know, and I usually close, I'm usually towards the end of the Aretha's, uh, season of shows, you know? Um, but this year I'm performing the week of my birthday. So we'll be in Detroit for the whole week. Um, shooting content, video, uh, videos for, for new music. Uh, I'm, I'm probably going to perform some, some of the new music.
16:52I was just about to ask. Um, you know, so it's going to be, it's going to be a good time. Lots of family and friends and, uh, uh, it's going to, it's going to be a good time.
17:00Well, I'm excited because this will be my third show of yours. Yeah. Cause I saw you in Grand Rapids when you were with Music Soul Child. Yeah.
17:08And then my mom brought me to when you were at MGM in DC. Okay. And now I'm going to be able to see you at the Aretha. And this was my first time being at the Aretha.
17:18So I understand the aesthetics and also the fact that the crowd is just right there. So it feels like this is even more intimate, not only because it's at home, but you get to like see the faces of people.
17:28Yeah. You get to see all your cousins and family and friends. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah.
17:34So you mentioned that you're going to be performing possibly new music. Can you give us a little vibe of what it's going to sound like maybe?
17:40Um, it's going to sound good. Obviously you ain't got no flops. What you mean? You ain't got no flops. Name a flop.
17:50Yeah. It's going to be, it's going to be good. You know, I'm looking forward to it. Yeah.
17:53Well, I'm excited. Everyone needs to go ahead and grab tickets right now. The Aretha Ticketmaster, July 25th.
17:59And thank God he gave us another date, July 26th. Tickets are on sale as we speak, at least for the 26th on Thursday. And I just want to wrap this up because obviously we know you as Kim the artist, but I just want to get Kim the person. Just quick rapid fire questions to end off.
18:16Okay. What is your perfect day look like? Um, brunch and, uh, sitting at the, uh, sitting, sitting at the pool, watching the kids swim.
18:32I love that. A simple day. And I love that you said brunch first. Yeah. We don't, we don't need to get up that early. Yeah. Okay. Guilty pleasure show that you love.
18:40Guilty pleasure show that I love. What did I just get finished watching? I just finished watching, uh, the series called Mobland, which is really, really, really good.
18:55I've heard about Mobland. Okay. I need to tap in. Okay. If someone was playing you in a biopic, who are you thinking?
19:01And everybody loves Raymond. Guilty pleasure. Everybody loves Raymond.
19:05Everybody loves Raymond is a good one. Yeah.
19:07I don't know why my wife thinks I'm crazy. I'm like, why are you watching these people?
19:10No, that's a good one though. Why are you watching these white people? It's like, what, what, what is happening in here?
19:15Love everybody loves Raymond.
19:17You already talked about this a little bit earlier, but go to comfort food.
19:21Um, well, the goal to is, is, is, is soul food.
19:26Yeah.
19:27You can't go wrong with soul food. Well, you can sometimes.
19:30Well, it depends on who's right. Who's cooking it.
19:32Who's making the chitlins.
19:34Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.
19:36Second to last question. If you weren't a musician, what would you be?
19:42Um, if I wasn't a musician, I would probably be, um, I would be, I would be a comedian.
19:54I would be, uh, in finance or I'd be a preacher, a comedian, financial pastor. I know that's right.
20:03Give it to us. And last but certainly not least, what is something that you are especially grateful
20:08for today? Uh, sobriety.
20:12Mm. Mm. Mm.
20:14My mom has your book and we were talking about it earlier.
20:17Yeah.
20:17Your story is incredible.
20:19And the fact that you wanted to share that with the world. Incredible.
20:23My mom was mad that I didn't bring the book today, but it's okay.
20:27It's okay.
20:28You have any books, Risa?
20:30Yeah, we got a book for her.
20:31Wow. Look at that.
20:32But thank you so much, Kim.
20:34So let me ask you a question. You put sugar in your grits?
20:36Oh, sugar in my grits?
20:39Sugar in your grits?
20:41Sugar in your grits.
20:42It's giving cheese only.
20:43It's giving cheese only.
20:46Yeah, there you go.
20:47Okay.
20:48Do you put sugar in your grits?
20:49No, no, I don't.
20:49Oh, okay. I need to do a temperature check real quick.
20:53Yeah. Yeah.
20:55Curtis does, though.
20:59Putting him on blast.
21:02Hey, you eat your grits the way that you want and I'm going to eat my pot of grits.
21:05If you'd like to see Curtis, Curtis lives at 1-0-0-3-4.
21:09No, I'm just joking.
21:13I'm obsessed.
21:15Well, thank you so much for your time, Kim.
21:17Again, you'll be at the Aretha July 25th and 26th.
21:20Do you have any last words for the Detroiters?
21:22Detroit, I love you.
21:23Thank you for embracing me, for rocking with me all of these years.
21:29You know, I love you.
21:30And we'll continue.
21:30All right.
21:31Yep.
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