A voice like this doesn't come around often, so when it does, it has to be cherished. Tori Kelly has, hands down, one of the most amazing voices that I have ever heard. She is a Californian singer-songwriter who rose to fame on YouTube covering Frank Ocean's "Thinkin' Bout You" and earned 22 million views. She later went on to audition for the ninth season of "American Idol," and although she didn't make it to the top 24, she has certainly turned into a star.
She is currently signed under manager Scooter Braun, who also works with artists like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Cody Simpson. Kelly said that not making it onto "American Idol" really helped her career, because it pushed her to really focus on her writing. Her manager said that a friend brought Tori Kelly to his attention, and upon hearing her voice, he felt like he just had to get this voice out there for other people to hear.
She released her first EP in "Handmade Songs By Tori Kelly" in 2012, which included songs that Kelly wrote and produced herself in her bedroom. In the past, she also teamed up with Child Hunger Ends Here with ConAgra foods to release a single that was available for download to help raise awareness of child hunger in America. Later this year she will releasing her second album "Unbreakable Smile." The new album will include the Top 40 hit "Nobody Love" and "Should've Been Us," which are already out on iTunes.
Personally one of my favorite songs of hers is the title track from her second studio album "Unbreakable Smile." I think that it has a really good message. The song is all about remaining positive and being true to yourself. She talks about how the music industry changes a lot of people and that while she wants to be successful, she is going to do it on her own terms. She talks about being happy and not having time for haters or people who are going to get in her way. This song showcases her true star quality, with her amazingly soulful voice. The song is catchy, and it's fun, and it definitely shows off her attitude.
This year she performed at the Billboard Music Awards as Kia's #OneToWatch. I think she has a refreshing style. Music today is so artificially made and manipulated, but Kerry has a pure and honest voice, which I think is respectable.
If I had to describe her to a friend, I would say that she is sort of like an amalgamation of Ed Sheeran meets Jessie J meets Mariah Carey meets Karmin. She has the whole singer-songwriter thing like Ed, while she has the attitude of Jessie J. She has the amazing vocal talents of Mariah Carey, with her voice literally stopping you dead in your tracks. And she has this cool groove like Karmin. It's really a great combination of talents, and she does it in a way that nobody else can.
On her album coming out on July 23, she is set to have collaborations with Ed Sheeran and LL Cool J. And I honestly couldn't tell you which one I am more excited about. While I do love Ed Sheeran, and I think both of their voices together would be absolute heaven, I am interested to hear how a collaboration with Tori Kelly and LL Cool J would sound like. If I were you, I would definitely hop on the Tori Kelly train fast, because this girl is bound to be everywhere in no time at all.
