One on One with K'Loni Sky

LIRM is always over the moon when we come in contact with those individuals who are working hard at their craft and leaving their mark in the world. There are many who seek fame for personal gain, fame and wealth and although those things are important, their should be more to the artist.

This blogger had the great opportunity of speaking with singer/business woman and mother Ms. K'Loni Sky. This inspired and focused singer/performer is working hard and building her brand on her own terms and thankfully we have the scoop on all things K'Loni. 

Check out this informative and insightful interview where K'Loni dishes on everything from happiness, role models and most importantly believing in oneself. 


K'Loni, share with our readers some background info of where you were born.
I was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts, but definitely had southern influences by way of my grandmother who raised me. I grew up in the heart of the ghetto but went to school in the suburbs. Both influences have definitely played a role in my personal development.


Being a female in the world today can be challenging, how do you handle the stressful times?
Though life is stressful at times, I do not see any gender gaps when facing challenges in my life, because I believe men and women share an equal amount of life’s stresses. 

I look and take every challenge in life as God’s way of preparing me for greater. If we do not know where we come from or are not able to take on and face our challenges, then we will be confronted with many more obstacles and will not be properly prepared to defeat them.


The way I handle challenges is down on my knees praying to God for clarity, understanding and a solution. I go to church faithfully and I participate in activities that take my mind off of anything that would cause me worries. I also love to listen to music in times of stress (usually Gospel or R&B), I blast it and sing to the top of my lungs. I learned I cannot be sad and praise God at the same time. Even in the midst of life’s storm you will never see me frown. I am too blessed to feed into negativity. I must let my little light shine at all times.


Absolutely! Being connected in a digital age is very important. How has the experience of connecting with others on the social networks been? Highs and Lows?
Connecting with social networks has been nothing short of a blessing. If it were not for social networks it’s a possibility this interview with LIRM would have ceased to exist. The highs of being connected to social network sites are the many connections you make with people/businesses nationally and internationally that you would have been reluctant to have without its existence. 


Social Networks have allowed my music to be apart of an award winning Bollywood film remake, allowed my music to be played in Croatian bar-clubs, and even also to work with producers in other US states and countries including Jamaica, India, Australia, and Germany. The only low of social networking is the face to face interactions with people.





Now that's amazing and inspiring. There may be those out there that feel that being a singer is something that not many people feel is as important as the LOOK of the artist. What are you thoughts? Which one is the most important?
It is important to always look the part, act and be the part. I am really into clothing and putting things together that most wouldn’t think of. I definitely bargain shop to get more bang for my buck and I love high-end stores. I am also a Class 1 Cosmetologist/Hair-Dresser and I attend continuing education courses to stay abreast my field.


As a singer the most important part of looking the part is to always look presentable, not just on the outside but inside as well. I do not take my gift lightly, I am thankful to God for blessing me with the ability to sing. I believe he gives us many talents and if they are not used he can take them away…and if we do not present them in ways of which would be pleasing to him he will be disappointed. Its like the old saying says ‘dress for success’ and may I add God’s blessings.


Growing up, did you have any role models that you looked up to? Share with our readers your experiences
Growing up I had a hand full of role models that have helped to mold me into the woman I am today. The first and most important role model was and still is my grandmother; A strong black southern woman who raised me, a single grandmother, salon owner and woman of faith. She introduced me to God, to life, and prepared me to deal with the world. If it were not for her love I am sure I would not be where I am today. 

There have been many others that have come into my life for a reason or a season, that have somehow made an impact in my life. Here is a list of role models and the reasons they have made it to this list.


• I thank God for Maya Angelou who inadvertently taught me to express myself through words


• My current Pastor Rev. Wayne Daley for being such a faithful man of God and showing me you can still worship, love and adore God and have fun all in the same.


• My former Professor Dan McCabe for always showing me unconditional support and love and always remaining a humble servant leader.

K, how do you handle the criticisms that comes with being an independent artist when many feel that its who you know as opposed to your God given talent.
I have really thick skin, and it truly takes a lot to really get under my skin. I appreciate honesty and all constructive criticism. I thank God for the gift of discernment, which helps me decipher the good, the bad and downright ugly. I know there are some people that cannot see the good in anything you do, I pray for those people and turn that negative energy into a stepping stone. Honestly the more people "hate" or discredit my abilities the harder I push to discover my purpose in life.

As an independent artist I feel it’s important to know who I am as an individual. Many people feel you have to be in the right place at the right time or you have to know the right people. If this were true I would have already been signed. I know the so called right people, and I have been in some of the right places, but it was not my time. When God has his hands in the matter, things fall into place and that’s the true meaning of being in the right place and he is the RIGHT one to know.


Never leave your destiny in mans hands, leave it to God. He will make a way out of no way.


What would you say to that young person who has a dream but not alot of support?
I have been in the position of those young people who dream but lack the proper support they need to make their dreams come true. My grandmother never believed in singing as a career. She always told me to have something to fall back on because the music industry is not a promising career. 


My mother however was the one in my early years that recognized my talent and always wanted me to sing but she just didn’t have the knowledge to push me the way I needed. But I kept the faith; I kept dreaming, I would write songs, create melodies, and record them on my tape recorder. I would participate in any school function that allowed me to show my musical ability, singing, dancing, stepping, choreographing, and even acting. This allowed others to see I had a talent and opened my world up to support. Though it was not my family or the support I would have thought it would have been…it was enough to encourage me.

I would also study certain artist, live performances, interviews and more allowed me to see its not just about the talent, but you have to be business savvy as well, you must know the business as well; which brought me back to what my grandmother said about having something to fall back on, only I looked at it as having something to enhance my talents.


Who are some of your favorite performers? Have you ever met any and what was the experience like?
Some of my favorite performers past and present are Gladys Knight, Patty Labelle, Mary J Blige, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Monica, Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, and T.I. I am sure there are plenty more but these are the people that stand out the most in my mind. The only person of this list I have met is Mary J Blige and it was a great experience. I was able to go back stage at a concert and was able to tell her I love her style and singing, take a photo with her and shake her hand. I felt so honored to be in the presence of a living icon.


Many individuals promise to give back to there community but don't follow thru. How do you give back?
Even as an independent artist its important to give back to my community. I participate in a lot of local shows/causes/fundraisers and I use my website and social status to help sell tickets for the events. I also serve as an unofficial consultant for artist/models looking to break into the industry.

I also serve my community by leading as an example. Just because I came from the hood does not mean I have to act or be the stereotypical ideologies some propose on the hood. As a single mother, college grad and Graduate student, and business owner I have paid a small portion to the ‘hood’ by showing no matter where you come from you can achieve your hearts desires.

Eventually I will be making enough monies to donate to local charities and causes. For now my talent, time, love and support will hane to make due.


Not only are you a performer/singer but you are also a self employed businesswoman, what has that experience been like?
Self employment is very hard when you are trying to pursue a music career. Because I am part owner of a hair salon, I have to be physically present at most times. Finding a balance has proved tough but not impossible. With the right set of workers my plan is to hire more workers, come from behind the chair and maintain management over the salon without being physically in there. This will allow me more time and attention toward my music career.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years in the area of your brand and abilities?
In the next five years K’Loni Sky will be a well known artist/song writer/management official, and K’Loni Sky Entertainment will be a fully operational; Managing artists and models. Sky is definitely the limit and since the sky is endless so are the possibilities for my company to grow beyond measures. And through these next five years I will be working and dedicated to reaching my goal.


I will continue to touch lives through song, one stage at a time, one heart at a time and one life at a time. My ultimate goal in life is to make it to heaven and have God say "I am proud of you, you touched lives through music. You lived as a testimony, and you saved lives through giving and sharing much of yourself."


Whether I touch one life or millions I am content with knowing I touched someone’s life through my gift of song.


K Loni Sky is a fresh talent with a special call on her life and LIRM is proud to call her our friend/supporter. Be sure and check out her accomplishments and future projects via her website as well as her Official Facebook and MYSPACE pages.