R&B diva Kelly Price is making her comeback to R&B with some serious matters at hand. Known for classic hits like “Friend of Mine,” “As We Lay” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” Price took an eight year hiatus from R&B to produce Gospel music.
Now back in full effect, Price’s forthcoming sixth studio album, ‘Kelly,’ will cover topics near and dear to her heart, including body image, teen pregnancy and family tensions. Instead of being a sad record, this album focuses on self-forgiveness (“I’m Sorry”), empowerment (“The Rain”), to addictive relationships (“HimAholic”). Plus Kelly mixes it up with a little two-step on “And U Don’t Stop.”
“I’m grown; that’s what this record says,” Price. “I’ve made a whole lot of mistakes and dumb decisions but I’m not beating myself up over it. There’s a lot of resolve here but happiness as well. I’ve come of age doing what I know how to do: soothing myself through music and hopefully helping someone else.”
‘Kelly,’ which will be released on May 3rd, features production from Campbell and Williams, long-time collaborator Shep Crawford and Jazz Nixon with a special feature from Mint Condition’s Stokley. The project represents a new career birth.
“My hiatus wasn’t really an accident or on purpose,” Price states of her new drive. “It just worked out that way. When my break came from Def Jam, the timing was good to do something more personal to me-the gospel album. And when I thought about going back to a major or doing something on my own, I thought I should have the opportunity to experience being in charge of my career-and benefit from it as well.”
Besides the forthcoming effort, Price also has a ton of projects on the table, which includes a summer tour with Dave Hollister and Angie Stone, a TV pilot, a clothing line, an audio version of her 2005 book “Inscriptions of My Heart,” a cook book and her ongoing philanthropic work on behalf of breast cancer. She will also collaborate on songs with Dave Hollister, Toni Braxton and Keke Wyatt.
Price will perform at Singersroom’s Acoustic Conversation series on May 4th in NYC.
