Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenyon Dixon.
Kenyon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles (Watts; Jordan Downs Housing Projects). The youngest of 6, both my parents were musicians/Vocalists and every last one of my siblings had/have some sort of musical inclination whether they decided to use it or not Lol We grew up in a VERY strict christian household where we weren’t even allowed to listen to any secular music; Only gospel. So of course, I initially began using my gift in church. Got over it, decided I didn’t even really want to sing and started playing every Sport possible, at our local Rec center. Got over that too lol Decided I wanted to dance and well, I did! Traveled with a world-renowned Tap Dance Company (Kennedy Tap Company) as one of the principle dancers which ultimately led me to The Debbie Allen Dance Academy where I continued dancing and ultimately got into musical theater; participating in several of Ms. Allen’s productions (and that’s where my interest in singing came back into play). I went to Washington High School (I attended Taft first. Shoutout to T-House Lol) and during my senior year, one of my teacher’s (love you Ms. Sims) found out I could dance and sing and basically pushed me to start doing it during our assemblies and other programs at the school.
Fast forward 11/12 years later, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and/or working as a backing vocalist for Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas, Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Usher, Kirk Franklin, Jill Scott, Pharell, Kanye West & man, pretty much anybody I’ve ever dreamed of working with which is honestly been MORE than a blessing for someone who tried to veer away from this path and not even use my gift at all. Extremely grateful for my journey this far and all I’ve encountered.. and especially grateful for what it has inspired in me; I’ve since written, produced and put out several projects of my own as an Artist. Never saw any of this happening. Pretty crazy.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s interesting because I think the road has been a lot smoother comparatively but I’ve had some challenges forsure. My environment wasn’t the best growing up, so I’m very grateful for my parents and their direction (although I didn’t understand it initially.. I just thought they didn’t want us to have fun LOL). Growing up in the projects is just different. You’re exposed to so much in the hood. The drugs, gang violence, lack of cultivation of emotional intelligence…all of these things are norms and traumatic and you have don’t even have a healthy outlet to release that trauma…I just never knew where that would take me. I saw so many examples counter to where I am today and I’m thankful that I didn’t get caught up in what my environment encouraged. It’s an easy trap and its comfortable.
I’m blessed to have ultimately understood that because I’ve seen things go a different way more often than not. It also took me a while to even become comfortable with my voice. Growing up in church, you always hear these very strong and powerful (and HIGH) voices and I didn’t sound like that. That could be (and was) very intimidating and I didn’t understand what my gift had to offer in comparison. But I learned the power of being unique and how being different was actually an amazing thing. I strengthened what I had and stopped worrying about what I felt like I didn’t and incredible things happened. Now, I can’t believe I ever even wanted to sound like that Lol Sounds great but I love my gift. It’s mine. I have what I’m supposed to.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an R&B Artist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer, Vocal Producer, Vocal Arranger and probably some other stuff that I’m forgetting but MUSIC! All things Music! That’s my specialty Lol I’ve been blessed to write for some major Artists, creating chart topping records and even garnering Recording Academy nominations. Catchy hooks, captivating melodies, witty lyrics and smooth vocals. If you can get all of those things in one place, I think it’s safe to say you’re in for some great music. I just so happen to provide all of those things; consistently and that is what has allowed me to gain the recognition that I have and create the opportunities I’ve been blessed to be a part of.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is probably meeting Tyrese at our local Rec center. He was already a great figure for those of us growing up in the area because he also grew up in the area and he was one of the few celebrities that were our city’s claim to fame. Ironically, Tyrese ended up being one of the first Artists I ever toured with and my first major placement as a writer was also on his “Open Invitation” album which ended up being the first Grammy Nominated project I had been a part of. That’s pretty epic and divine if you ask me.
Contact Info:
- Website: RnbKenny.Com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Kennygotsoul
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kenyondixonmusic
- Twitter: @Kennygotsoul
Image Credit:
Topher Shrigley, Mark LaShark, Visionary Imaging
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