Kirby Lauryen Dockery
Kirby Lauryen Dockery, also known by the stage names Kirby (stylized as KIRBY) and Kirby Lauryen, is an American singer-songwriter. She has written pop songs such as "FourFiveSeconds" performed by Kanye West, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney. Kirby is signed to Roc Nation and released her first album, Sis, in 2020.[1]
Kirby Lauryen | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kirby Lauryen Dockery |
| Born | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Roc Nation |
| Website | https://www.instagram.com/singkirbysing |
Life and career
Dockery was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Southaven, Mississippi.[2][3] She studied music at Stax Music Academy,[4] 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.[3][5]
She began a YouTube challenge where she posted videos of herself singing a new original song for 275 days.[4] She was contacted by Joy Brown of Roc Nation on day 302 of the challenge and signed to the label.[4][6]
She has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, and Timbaland.[7][8] Kirby co-wrote the track "FourFiveSeconds", which went through several rounds of edits as directed by Kanye West.[1] She also wrote the song "Die with You" performed by Beyoncé and “Break Your Heart Right Back” by Ariana Grade.[1]
She released her first album, Sis, in February 2020.[1] Robyn Mowatt of Okayplayer referred to it as "a mashup of refreshing deep cuts."[3] Two singles from the album were featured on the soundtrack for the fourth season of Insecure.[6]
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.[9]
Discography
Studio albums
- Sis. (2020)
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
- "KIRBY Wants Her Music to Taste Like Mac and Cheese". Interview Magazine. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- Staff, G. G. M. (2017-09-18). "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 2020-09-05.
- Mowatt, Robyn (2020-02-05). "Tennessee-Bred Singer KIRBY Unveils Funk-Filled Debut Album, 'Sis.'". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- "Kirby Lauryen Gives Back to STAX Music Academy". localmemphis.com. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- "Alumna Kirby Lauryen Cowrites Kayne West, Paul McCartney's 'Only One' | Berklee College of Music". www.berklee.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- Bhanot, Ankita (2020-07-28). "Feature: KIRBY Makes Soul Music to Heal Herself". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- Vasishta, Jeff (2020-06-23). "In Quarantine, Pop Music's Quiet Topliners Are Gaining More Power". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- "Jennifer Lopez Previews New Album During Intimate Malibu Lunch | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
- Savage, Niara (2020-06-18). "How Social Media Users Forced Quaker to Retire Its Racist Aunt Jemima Brand". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 2020-09-05.