Kenya Vaun is one of the emerging voices in the R&B landscape, and she is poised to take the genre to new heights. With her distinct vocals and passionate songwriting prowess, the Philadelphia native is one of the new artists making major waves in the game. Emerging from Philadelphia with a voice that echoes both the new and the timeless, 21-year-old R&B sensation Kenya Vaun is an artist on the ascent.
Her music-characterized by distinctively raspy vocals and emotionally charged lyrics-creates a safe space reminiscent of the R&B greats, deftly combining old soul with a fresh, innovative sound. Vaun’s journey in music began early, penning her first song at just seven years old and becoming a fixture at local open mic nights during her high school years.
Vaun sees her art as a vehicle for connecting with others. The Philadelphia-born artist prioritizes feeling over everything. "I really want that connection through the people to come back. I feel like it’s lacking,” Vaun tells Rated R&B over a video call. “We are social beings. We need each other. We uplift each other."
Let's delve into the musical journey of Kenya Vaun, exploring her influences, creative process, and the stories behind her captivating songs.
Early Influences and Musical Beginnings
Kenya Vaun grew up in a musically gifted family of six siblings. She grew up in a musical home. I have a lot of siblings. I’m the youngest. I have a twin, and he was the singer in the house. It was like five of us all together - well, six, but five of us that were really into music. We had a group called The K-Five. We used to be like The Jackson Five. We [would] perform at like family events [and] cookouts. And, of course, my mom’s music taste. Growing up, when she was cooking or cleaning, the music that she played.
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At the tender age of 9, she and four of her siblings formed their own music group called “The K5”, inspired by the legendary Jackson 5. Kenya’s love for music was further nurtured by her mother, who filled their home with the sounds of iconic artists like Angie Stone, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, The Isley Brothers, and Jodeci.
Speaking about her family's role, Kenya shared: "For my vision, growing up in Philadelphia where music, especially soulful music, is heavily influential, played a huge role. Listening to the likes of Lauren Hill, Mary J. Blige, and hearing my mom singing India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair” and telling me how beautiful I am, shaped me as an artist."
She honed her craft and captivated audiences with original tracks such as “Bout Me,” catching the attention of 300 Entertainment, who promptly signed her. After honing her skills on the local scene, Kenya released her first single, "Movie Night," in 2018, followed by "Bout Me." She garnered enough attention to land her first record deal with 300 Entertainment, in 2022.
Kenya recalls the moment she realized her path: "I feel like I always knew that I wanted to pursue music since we had a family group when I was younger. I always wanted to be like Lauryn Hills, so I really pushed myself as I got older. ... After I sang “Listen,” Beyoncé’s song on the Dreamgirls soundtrack, I remember hearing my mom for the first time saying,” Oh my god,” it sounds good.” I took that and ran with it [Laughs]. I'm like, Yep, I'm a singer now. And I just kept going right here."
The Creative Process and Songwriting
Kenya Vaun's approach to creating music is deeply personal and begins with the beat. I have to have the beat first. When it gives me chills, and I feel it in my bones, that alone inspires me because right there like a million different thoughts racing in my head from flows and to melodies. That sparks some type of motivation and inspiration for the song.
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If I'm not feeling the beat, I can still work with it, but if you want the best from me, it always starts with that main element which is the beat for me. The next thing I do is work on flows, cadences, and melodies. Once I found the best melody or the perfect hook, then I start to write my lyrics.
You previously shared that you started songwriting before singing. Growing up in a big family [and] everybody being so talented - my older siblings - I felt like it was a lot of situations where I was fighting to have my own voice. Watching great performers like Lauryn [Hill], Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu on YouTube. It was very inspirational not only hearing the storyline but seeing that they felt it. I felt the only way you could do that is if you’re telling your own story. I had this roaring feeling of wanting to tell my own story.
Yes, I remember it word for word. In my mind, at the time, it was very deep. I remember the day vividly; it was raining. I [was] looking out the screen door just writing. “Let the Water Flow.” That was what it was called. I’ve come a long way. Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Usher - he has a lot of songs that were a huge part of my childhood overall, Alicia Keys, too. It’s a lot of people that I could say [have influenced] my songwriting or who I aspire to be like lyrically. Ne-Yo is a huge songwriter too. I can’t leave him out.
Her debut EP, The Honeymoon Phase, is finally out. Basically, I wanted to talk about the phases of love with oneself and, of course, with other people. The ups and downs. The whole entire rollercoaster and experience with that when it comes to the honeymoon phase. I wanted to, in a few songs, highlight oneself. I wanted to bring a few songs that give that uplifting feeling to oneself. Because I feel like that’s where it starts - loving yourself or feeling good about yourself before you can really go through those experiences. In some of my songs, it doesn’t really seem like I started with loving myself. So you can hear the ups and downs I go through with the people and how I thought.
You open the EP with “Yesterday,” which hears you reminiscing about your good old days. “Yesterday” basically talks about my experiences when I was younger because that’s a huge part of what made me who I am so far today. When you hear the record, it talks about those many experiences: the love of the neighborhood, family… it just all feels like yesterday. We need it back because that’s it was a really big highlight in childhood. Seeing how times are today, it’s kind of like, “Dang. Imagine if I grew up during this time.
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Kenya's approach to music is all about authenticity. Out of all the artists who are out right now, what separates you from everyone else? Honestly. I would say that what makes me different is that I'm 100% authentic myself because I make music strictly for the soul. I’m not saying anything about drugs or turning up, but I'm telling you something about my life. I'm being vulnerable with the people, and I'm letting in and hearing my story. I try to paint this picture so that you can feel beautiful and uplifted through my music.
Music can turn your whole day sad or glad, depending on what you’re listening to. It's like music in the last few years has gone through this phase where everything is temporary, in my opinion, It’s like, “Oh, this is nice. What's next?” It's like everybody’s forgetting that real feeling. I feel like a lot of people aren't being vulnerable anymore because they're so worried about their image. All I'm worried about is being 100% myself.
The Meaning Behind "Overrated"
Back in February, you released “Overrated” which is another bop. It’s definitely been amazing. I’m learning new things every day, step by step. I’m always thinking of new ways to add onto my artistry. It’s all a growth and learning experience, but it’s been amazing. My most recent work is a single titled “Overrated,” which I wrote when I was about 15 or 16. I revisited it while working with some wonderful musicians in the studio.
It marks her official debut for 300 Entertainment and paves the way for much more to come. On the track, it captures a vibe of a glossy guitar loop that wraps around a head-nodding beat. While her dynamic, soulful vocals instantly shine in the spotlight. She shows her range, stretching from intimate verses into the chantable chorus, “You’re overrated, love.”
The song is about understanding your worth, particularly in the context of relationships. Many young people enter relationships with incorrect notions, expecting others to fix them. The song talks about the process of getting to know someone, realizing that they might not be what they initially appeared to be.
About “Overrated,” she shared, “For me, I feel like in this generation a lot of people are so ready to just move on. When I was writing this song, I was going through my own situation, and I felt like a lot of times what you’re feeling isn’t unconditional love and it’s just for that moment."
KENYA VAUN Performs Live Performance at Chelsea Music Hall - Behind The Scenes 300 Unplugged
In the accompanying visual, Kenya observes two couples as they experience the ups and downs of their respective relationships, from the vantage point of a third perspective on the outside looking in. It’s all types of realism and reality checks from start to finish. Peep the details and keep scrolling to see Kenya going all-in on the cinematic appeal.
“I feel like a lot of people, when you hear [the song], think it’s just about love. Even though it’s typically taken in that way, I want it to highlight things we aren’t used to seeing anymore,” Vaun says about the video. “It gives me a nostalgia. I think about my childhood, always being outside [and] playing with people on the block. A lot of people are so glued to their phones that it’s kind of like you don’t see that. You don’t see people just laughing and chatting it up."
"Used To" and the Nostalgia for Simpler Times
Her latest offering, “Used To,” has already amassed almost 200,000 views on YouTube. The song’s enchanting lyrics, underscored by euphoric production that samples Billy Stewart’s “Sitting in the Park,” serve as a heartwarming love letter to her partner. “In this generation, a lot of people get bored really fast and move on.
The song is currently No. “‘Summer’ just brings me so much peace because it talks about that escape that a lot of us need or want, whether you’re working a 9-5, dealing with personal issues, or whatever it may be,” Vaun explained.
The visual for “Used To” reminds me of videos like Jill Scott’s “A Long Walk” and Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall In Love,” where we see you strolling through a neighborhood as life happens around you. I feel like a lot of people, when you hear [the song], think it’s just talking about love. Even though it’s typically taken in that way, I want it to highlight things that we aren’t used to seeing anymore. It gives me a nostalgia. I think about my childhood, always being outside [and] playing with people on the block. A lot of people are so glued to their phones that it’s kind of like you don’t see that. You don’t see people just laughing and chatting it up.
“My People” was a fun one. As soon as it comes on, it makes you feel good. I think back to the times when you like someone and you [are] contemplating if they like you back. It starts there as, “Is this for me?” You kind of want to introduce them to your people and show them around. But you also know how your people are, like, is that the right person?
Breaking Stereotypes and Staying Authentic
One of the topics that I wanted you to touch on was the hyper-sexualization of the Black female artist. The commodification of female sexuality and the idea that “sex sells” is nothing new, especially to genres like hip-hop, but newer artists such as yourself are shattering that stereotype completely.
Yes, that’s very true. I aim to break those stereotypes by just being true to myself and not conforming to societal norms or expectations that are often projected onto artists. It’s about the music and the emotions it evokes. I’m just really coming out here and being authentically myself. You know, I’m not feeling pressured about the societal norms of what people are normalized to looking at when they see certain music videos or certain artists.
I’m definitely doing me and going with what’s comfortable for me. I feel like all of that shouldn’t matter. It’s absolutely all about the music and how it makes people feel. we shouldn’t be like, “Oh, this person looks like this and so I like this song.” Like, no, it’s about what the song is touching on and how it makes the person feel.
By being true to myself, I hope to show not just women, but specifically black women from similar backgrounds that anything is possible. I want my journey to inspire others to believe in their capabilities. With self-belief, you can achieve anything, and I hope to exemplify that. With a lot of people, it’s kind of like crabs in a barrel.
The Impact of Philadelphia's Music Scene
Philadelphia is renowned for its rich musical heritage and artistry. It’s admirable how you are becoming a continuation of that legacy. Whenever I visit Philly, I’m astonished by the unique blend of collaborations, the unexpected combinations of people coming together to create. That seems to be a distinct trait of the Philly music scene.
Indeed, I frequently attend sessions where I meet a variety of artists. Naturally, you resonate more with some people than others. But when there’s a connection, it’s immediately evident-it’s all about the vibe. There’s this mutual exchange of ideas, this spark that’s simply irresistible. That’s probably why such collaborations are so common in Philly-it’s all about the music, nothing else.
You can’t dilute it -it’s purely about the music. And once you feel it, it’s impossible to dismiss it. Truthfully, some may think that music, as we know it, is on the decline. This sentiment often stems from a belief that today’s music lacks the authenticity of the past. However, I believe the genre I’m championing is only getting stronger.
There are numerous artists who may not be mainstream yet, but their work resonates with me, inspiring me to think, “Wow, this is incredible.” Lucky Day, for instance, left a profound impression on me when I saw him perform live. His performance filled me with a sense of wonder, as he was truly in his element. Seeing artists like him emerging gives me hope for the future. It reassures me that there are others who share my vision and want to express it as well.
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