Kile J is a proud non-binary artist and performer, based in New York City. Originally from Houston Texas, Kile moved to New York to explore their creative talents, and since then has worked with some of the top influencers in the industry. The multi-dimensional artist has many skills under their belt, including comedy, acting, and most significantly music.
Dedicated to creating work that unapologetically highlights the experiences and nuances of queer people of color, the debut EP Honey is sensationally vulnerable and encouragingly heartfelt. Serving as a therapeutic outlet, the EP helped them tackle feelings of shame and discomfort, eventually leading them to find self-love. Bursting with lush sugary harmonies that counteract the bittersweet lyrics, the songs speak authentically of their personal experiences. Taking lines directly from journal entries and text messages, Kile revealed, “I found strength singing words that caused me pain, over beautiful warm instrumentals.”
Speaking on the EP, the artist explains, “There are moments where you can only understand if you’re a part of the culture, and there are also moments where I feel everyone can relate to it in some way.” They continue, “The underlying theme of the project is to tell black queer love stories authentically; not only ones about loving others, but ones about loving yourself as well.”
The title track “Honey” delightfully showcases Kile’s vibey sound, with it being a fusion of southern music, modern pop and R&B. Smoothly soulful and trickled with encouraging sentiment, the track is a shimmer of soundscapes reflecting warmth, comfort, and hope, as they detail the shame placed on people who are trying to love themselves in a world that’s forcing them into hiding.
As a performer, their work has gotten plenty of buzz, with their musical project Trak Joy being ranked on the 25 best songs of the week by CMJ. They were also a featured correspondent for Buzzfeed where they talked news and pop culture while breaking out of gender binaries, as well as being named a finalist at YAAAS FEST: an LGBTQ comedy competition in New York. Kile’s work is currently featured on Hunger Magazine, Teen Vogue, Redbull.com, Buzzfeed, and Afropunk, to name a few.
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