Kenya

Kenya Harlem, better known by the mononym Kenya, is an American R&B and pop recording artist and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Harlem rose to fame in the 2009 as a member of award-winning hip-hop girl group Tiger Tiger, who released five top ten singles and a multiplatinum album From Rags to Bitches. She subsequently signed a solo contract with Saturdays Records.

In 2010, Kenya released her debut solo single "White Bitches (Pat My Weave)" to critical acclaim and commercial success. Her debut album Harlem Renaissance, which contained dubstep influences, and second single "Vodka Bomb" both charted at number one upon release. Kenya reunited with Tiger Tiger for their second album later that year. In 2012, Kenya joined forces with Loretta Lambert for the side project Birds of Prey, scoring an additional number one single and album.

Kenya released her sophomore solo album, Romanticism, in 2014. The album received widespread acclaim from music critics, praising its minimalist R&B elements, and topped the charts upon it release. Kenya released a string of hit singles to support the album, including the award-nominated "I Been On That" and the number one "Northern Star". Her third studio album Living is released December 28, 2015.

1988-2010: Early life and Tiger Tiger
Kenya Harlem was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Ricardo Harlem and Cheyannah Harlem. Harlem's father is Dominican and her mother is of African-American and Native American descent. She struggled as a student, attending an alternative school when she was expelled from a public high school for fighting. After graduating in 2006, Harlem began working at her mother's hair salon. She soon became manager and took over the business, renaming it Kenya's Cuts. The store's slogan was, "You won't beweave it!"; it was at Kenya's Cuts that she met future bandmates - coworker Nara VeNay, and clients Saffiyah Compton and LaTreasa Morales.

Harlem co-founded Tiger Tiger in late 2008, alongside Compton, Morales, and VeNay. The girl group their song "What It Is" to a number of music blogs in March 2009. The track received an overwhelming response. A mixtape, Brooklyn Etiquette: Volume 1 was made available to download for free on Tiger Tiger's official MySpace in July 2009. It was shortly followed by the release of "What It Is" as their mainstream debut single on July 13 2009, followed by their debut album From Rags to Bitches. Tiger Tiger exceeded expectations when both releases charted within the top five. They won Best Newcomer at Urapopstar Awards 17. They released four more top ten singles, including their biggest single "Gladiator Ready"/"Ike and Tina". From Rags to Bitches eventually sold over 900,000 copies.

Harlem's popularity grew as a member of Tiger Tiger. She became well-known for her stylish fashion choices, appearing on the cover of the United States edition of ELLE magazine. She was linked to iconic Brazilian R&B singer Paulo Araujo, starring in the video for his single "Falso Amor".

2010–2013: Harlem Renaissance, Tiger Tiger reunion and Birds of Prey
Kenya announced plans for a solo career in October 2010, signing an exclusive deal with major label Saturdays Records. She released the single "White Bitches (Pat My Weave)", which featured a guest rap from Loretta Lambert. The song was produced by Diplo. In November 2010, Harlem was accused of assault by Deirdre Morales, one of Harlem's backing dancers. The charges were later dropped. Despite the controversy surround Kenya, including feuds with Emily Henning and Genevere Johnson, "White Bitches (Pat My Weave)" charted at number two behind China's "Jezebel". Its first-week sales were higher than any of Tiger Tiger's, and the single ultimately received a silver certification.

Kenya released her debut album Harlem Renaissance in February 2011. The LP combines elements of dance, dubstep, hip hop, R&B and rock with a more general pop sound. A majority of the album was produced by dance musicians DJ Double Garage and TWISTED DISCO!, as well as personal tracks produced by singer-songwriter Ben Johnston. In addition to self-written tracks, the album also includes songs penned by Elice Claire and Paulo Araujo, as well as collaborations with Elice Claire, Helena Rossi, and Wolf Wolfe. The second single, "Vodka Bomb", was written and produced by TWISTED DISCO!, and contains noticeable dubstep influences. "Vodka Bomb" and Harlem Renaissance both entered the charts at number one. Kenya also appeared in Paulo Araujo's film The Hunger and the music video for "Blur". The song "A Rush of Blood (On My Heels)", written specifically for Kenya by Araujo, appears on the film's soundtrack (and her album). Kenya also supported Araujo on his Desperation & Divinity Tour.

In April, Kenya participated in the Tango Challenge, collaborating with Brett Clarkson on the "Better Than Midnight" EP. It charted at number two, Kenya's third consecutive top two hit. It was followed by "Who You Is?" in June. She then supported Saturdays boss and pop superstar Emily Henning on The Dream Tour, a stadium tour of the United Kingdom, before embarking on her own Harlem Renaissance Tour.

Kenya reunited with Tiger Tiger in August 2011 for the release of their second studio album, Tiger II which showcased a "classic, heartfelt, timeless" sound. The album received widespread acclaim, but sold poorly due to a lack of promotion. The group only released one single from the album, "James Dean". In 2012, Kenya joined forces with Loretta Lambert for the side project Birds of Prey. Their self-titled album topped the charts and spawned three hit singles: "Aww Nah"/"Pride & Joy", "H8 $$" and "Watch the Throne (Hard)."

2014–present: Romanticism and third album
Kenya released her sophomore solo album Romanticism in fall 2014 via Blacklight Records. With the album, Kenya sought to record a more cohesive recording than his debut album, which she felt was rushed in its development. Expanding on the sonic aesthetic of her debut album, Romanticsm features an atmospheric sound that is characterized by low-key musical elements and incorporates R&B, pop, electronica, and post-dubstep styles. Upon its release, Romanticism received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its expansive production, emotional themes, and Kenya's songwriting.

The lead single "I Been On That", a boastful, acid-tongued trap song, was released in August. It became the best–selling single of Kenya's solo career to date. Kenya and Blacklight Records issued three promotional singles ahead of the album, which was released alongside second single "We're Already There" on October 27, 2014. Romanticism topped the albums chart and spawned the number one single "Northern Star", as well as top three hit "Candlelight" and "Sleep Alone Tonight". On April 29, 2015, Kenya embarked on the Romance World Tour supported by the EDM track "Atlantis".

Kenya's third solo album Living was released on December 28, 2015, following the singles "Atlantis" and "AHHHHH!". In contrast with the minimalist "PBR&B" elements of Romanticism, Living features more sonically experimental material, which combines R&B with electronic and alternative music. Its dark, intimate material includes themes of excess, with transparent lyrics expressing emotional extremes, uncertainty, and references to sex and drug use. Its subject matter also explores celebrity and race.

Discography
''Main article: Kenya discography


 * 2011: Harlem Renaissance
 * 2014: Romanticism
 * 2016: Living

Tours

 * 2011: Desperation & Divinity Tour (supporting Paulo Araujo)
 * 2011: The Dream Tour (supporting Emily Henning)
 * 2011: Harlem Renaissance Tour
 * 2015: Romance World Tour

Awards and nominations

 * 2011: Urapopstar Awards 19 — Best Newcomer (nominated)
 * 2011: Urapopstar Awards 19 — Best Hip-Hop/R&B (nominated)
 * 2015: Urapopstar Awards 26 — Best Urban/R&B Artist (nominated)
 * 2015: Urapopstar Awards 26 — Best Urban/R&B Album (Romanticism) (nominated)
 * 2015: Urapopstar Awards 26 — Best Urban/R&B Single ("I Been On That") (nominated)
 * 2015: Urapopstar Awards 27 — Best Urban/R&B Artist (nominated)