Kirby Lauryen Dockery
Kirby Lauryen Dockery, also known by the stage names Kirby (stylized as KIRBY) and Kirby Lauryen, is an American singer and songwriter. She has written pop songs such as "FourFiveSeconds" performed by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney. Kirby is an independent artist and released her first album, Sis, in 2020.[2]
Kirby Lauryen | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kirby Lauryen Dockery |
| Born | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B,[1] soul, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Roc Nation |
| Website | Kirby Lauryen Dockery on Instagram |
Life and career
Dockery was born October 24 in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Southaven, Mississippi.[3][4] She studied music at Stax Music Academy,[5] and enrolled at Berklee College of Music after high school but left in 2012 to pursue music full-time. She was influenced by Kanye West's The College Dropout.[4][6]
She began a YouTube challenge where she posted videos of herself singing a new original song for 275 days.[5] She was contacted by Joy Brown of Roc Nation on day 302 of the challenge and signed to the label.[5][7]
She has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, and Timbaland.[8][9] Kirby co-wrote the track "FourFiveSeconds", which went through several rounds of edits as directed by Kanye West.[2] She also wrote the song "Die with You" performed by Beyoncé and "Break Your Heart Right Back" by Ariana Grande.[2]
She released her first album, Sis, in February 2020.[2] Robyn Mowatt of Okayplayer referred to it as "a mashup of refreshing deep cuts."[4] Two singles from the album were featured on the soundtrack for the fourth season of Insecure.[7]
In June 2020, Kirby posted a viral TikTok video about the racist origins of the pancake brand Aunt Jemima, and amid other online critiques taking place, the brand announced that they would retire the racist imagery.[1]
Discography
Studio albums
- Sis. He Wasn't the One (2021)
Extended plays
- Sis. (2020)
- I Told You I Would (2022)
Soundtrack albums
- Swarm (with Childish Gambino) (2023)
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Loved by You" | 2016 | Non-album single |
| "Vain" | 2017 | |
| "Kool Aid" | 2019 | Sis. |
| "Don't Leave Your Girl" | ||
| "We Don't Funk" | 2020 | |
| "Velvet (Remix)" (featuring Lucky Daye) (from Insecure) |
Non-album single | |
Songwriting credits
indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution
References
- Savage, Niara (June 18, 2020). "How Social Media Users Forced Quaker to Retire Its Racist Aunt Jemima Brand". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- "KIRBY Wants Her Music to Taste Like Mac and Cheese". Interview Magazine. February 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- G. G. M. Staff (September 18, 2017). "ASCAP'S 9th Annual "Women Behind The Music" Honors Singer-Songwriter Kirby Lauryen, Pulse Music Group VP Of A&R Ashley Calhoun And Epic Records' Senior Director Of A&R Ericka Coulter". Guitar Girl Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- Mowatt, Robyn (February 5, 2020). "Tennessee-Bred Singer KIRBY Unveils Funk-Filled Debut Album, 'Sis.'". Okayplayer. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- "Kirby Lauryen Gives Back to STAX Music Academy". localmemphis.com. September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- "Alumna Kirby Lauryen Cowrites Kayne West, Paul McCartney's 'Only One' | Berklee College of Music". www.berklee.edu. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- Bhanot, Ankita (July 28, 2020). "Feature: KIRBY Makes Soul Music to Heal Herself". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- Vasishta, Jeff (June 23, 2020). "In Quarantine, Pop Music's Quiet Topliners Are Gaining More Power". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- "Jennifer Lopez Previews New Album During Intimate Malibu Lunch | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
External links
- Official profile on Roc Nation
- Kirby on Allmusic
- Kirby on Discogs