Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiva Richardson.
Kiva, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Contemporary R&B Artist born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Memphis, TN. Between the age of 2-3 years old, I started to have a love for music. I would dance around to Sade’s music as a toddler. I was introduced to Gospel Music at the age of eight. Gospel Artists Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams inspired me early on. During my pre-teen years, my father Memphis Maru who is a Producer, Songwriter, and Artist taught me songwriting and recording. My Dad along with Sade, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Keke Wyatt, Tamia, and Beyonce are my biggest Inspirations in music. It wasn’t until 2007 I began recording cover songs on YouTube. I’ve had many professional opportunities such as singing to Larry Dodson of the Bar-Kays over the phone at the age of 14, making it into the top 20 of the online reality show competition ‘OnTheSpot’ (a legendary music manager Johhny Wright’s competition to form the next world supergroup), making it through the 2011 American Idol Myspace Audition round, and working with Grammy-nominated singer Toni Braxton’s brother Michael Braxton Jr. Spring 2018 I was a part of the I love 90s Tour with Public Announcement, M.C. Brainz, Big Mucci, and many more. My current R&B release singles ‘Siccud’ and ‘You Should Know’ were both recorded in Los Angeles, California. In addition to gaining radio momentum throughout the Midwest and South, ‘Siccud’ official music video has gained a total of 67,000 views online. I am now gearing up to release my first EP.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. After not making it through the 2nd round of American Idol auditions (which were held in Los Angeles during the time) and also not getting very far in the ‘OnTheSpot’ web-based reality series that led me to feel in some degree, defeated during those particular moments. Looking back on that now, I can say that those moments made me a stronger person as well as a stronger Artist. I wouldn’t be where I am today had that not happened. “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most proud of being able to use the gift that God has blessed me with to heal and help people overcome some of life’s challenging experiences. What sets me apart from others is I believe in wholeheartedly being my true authentic self. You have to dance like no one’s watching no matter how weird or quirky you may seem.
What matters most to you? Why?
God is what matters most to me. God helps me to stay afloat mentally, spiritually, and physically while guiding me through life’s journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kivarichardson
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kivadahdiva
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kivadahdiva
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/kiva91
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-81547172
Image Credits
Marcus D. Porter, Ashley Richmond, and Patrick Harden
