Tori Kelly is proof that some artists can gain massive success from platforms like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon that basically promise a huge career in music, film, and television if you can gather a following and turn it into a loyal fan base. Artists like Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato have transitioned from teen pop royalty to successful mainstream artists but what do you do if you don’t get your start in pre-teen programming? Singer-songwriter Tori Kelly like many upcoming artists gained success from singing covers on YouTube; her “Suit & Tie” and “Thinking ‘Bout You” covers are personal favorites of mine.
After moderate YouTube success, American Idol was the next step. While Kelly made it to Hollywood, she didn’t make it far in the competition. In 2010, Kelly released her debut EP Handmade Songs and soon signed to Scooter Braun, the man behind Justin Bieber’s success, and a couple years later released her second EP Foreword. If you’re unfamiliar with the extremely underrated song “Dear Know One” or the other R&B crafted tracks that can be found on Kelly’s two EPs, I suggest you get familiar before Tori takes the world by the storm with the release of her debut album this year.
I love rooting for an underdog and Tori Kelly is an easy person to bet on. From her powerful yet soulful vocals that have had years to improve all the way to her ability to write for and play multiple instruments, Tori is an artist in every sense of the word. “Nobody Loves” was released on November 8th, 2014. It is a step toward mainstream success that hopefully leads to some well-deserved recognition. Produced by pop hit-maker Max Martin, who is notorious for creating the “favorite pop song that sounds extremely similar to your other favorite pop song” tracks, the quality of “Nobody Loves” is actually pretty refreshing. The track starts with a throwback sound, letting Kelly’s vocals take the spotlight until the track goes into club territory with some laid-back bass and Tori singing over a snap filled beat. I love that the song has three different sounds throughout the track and I can hear “Nobody Love” earning itself a spot on the radio.
While Martin definitely deserves some credit for his contribution to the production, Kelly’s voice especially hits it out of the park when she belts out a Christina Aguilera sized note in the bridge. This alone makes it obvious that her voice is in top form and she’s ready to compete with some of the best voices in the industry. Artists like Sam Smith and Ariana Grande are being admired for their powerful voices in an auto-tuned filled world, and I can’t wait to see more people take notice of Tori Kelly. From her voice to her looks and glowing personality, Tori Kelly is a star in the making – she just needs a little more recognition to gain that mainstream success.