K. Michelle

Biography

Kimberly Michelle Pate (born March 4, 1982), known professionally as K. Michelle, is an American singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. Commercially, she has earned three top-ten albums on the US Billboard 200 and three number-one albums on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. In the US, she has sold over 5 million certified units.
Apart from music, K. Michelle gained further notoriety for her appearances on reality television, specifically on VH1's Love & Hip Hop franchises; starring in the first, second, and fifth seasons of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (2012–13; 2016), the fourth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York (2013–14), and the fifth and sixth seasons of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood (2018–2019). From 2014 to 2017, she was the subject of her own reality series K. Michelle: My Life, which ran for three seasons on VH1. In 2026, she joined the cast of the seventeenth season of the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Early life

Kimberly Michelle Pate was born on March 4, 1982, in Memphis, Tennessee. She began developing an interest in music at an early age, learning to play piano and guitar and taking vocal lessons from Bob Westbrook, a vocal coach known for working with artists including Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. She attended Overton High School in Memphis, graduating in 2000.
Following high school, K. Michelle received a music scholarship to Florida A&M University (FAMU). She studied music and became involved in campus life. She was crowned the Freshman Attendant of the Homecoming Court. She later joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, pledging the Beta Alpha chapter in 2001. During her time at FAMU, she temporarily paused her studies after the birth of her son in 2004 before returning to complete her degree. She graduated with honors and was offered acceptance to multiple law schools, though she ultimately declined to pursue a legal career in favor of focusing on music full-time.

2009–2011: Beginnings

In 2009, she signed a recording contract with Jive Records and released her debut single, "Fakin' It", featuring Missy Elliott. The single charted on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 100. Throughout 2010, she released several follow-up singles, including "Fallin'×Fallin'22 March 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Fallin'3:39", "I Just Can't Do This×I Just Can't Do This23 July 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Just Can't Do This3:45" and "How Many Times×How Many Times11 March 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1How Many Times4:04", which also charted on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
During this period, she worked on her planned debut studio album, originally titled Pain Medicine. The project was reported to include collaborations with artists such as Trina, Gucci Mane, Akon, Usher, and R. Kelly, whom she has described as a mentor during the early stages of her career. However, the album was ultimately shelved following the closure of Jive Records in 2011, and she was released from the label.

2012–2014: Love & Hip Hop, Rebellious Soul, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?

In 2012, she joined the cast of VH1's reality series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. The first season documented her return to the music industry following personal and professional setbacks, including a previously reported abusive relationship with a music executive. She became one of the breakout figures of the series and subsequently signed a multi-album recording contract with Atlantic Records. She returned for the show's second season, which chronicled the recording of her debut studio album, Rebellious Soul×Rebellious Soul13 August 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1My Life5:032Damn3:193I Don't Like Me2:524Can't Raise a Man3:285V.S.O.P.3:296Pay My Bills3:217Sometimes6:178Ride Out3:569Hate On Her4:0210When I Get a Man4:5811A Mother's Prayer3:55.
On May 20, 2013, she released "V.S.O.P" as the lead single from her debut album Rebellious Soul. The song, produced by Pop & Oak, contains a sample of “Very Special” by Debra Laws, and "That's How Long" performed by The Chi-Lites. It peaked at number 89 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Its music video, directed by Benny Boom, was released on June 29, 2013. The single was later certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was released on August 13, 2013, debuting at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with first-week sales of 72,000 copies. By late 2014, it had sold over 260,000 copies in the United States, and was later certified Gold.
Following the album’s release, she embarked on her first headlining tour, The Rebellious Soul Tour, presented by BET Music Matters, which ran from November to December 2013. The tour featured supporting acts including Sevyn Streeter and Tiara Thomas. In January 2014, she released "Can't Raise a Man" which peaked at number 94 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single was later certified Platinum.
After departing Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, she joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York for its fourth season. During this period, she released the mixtape Still No Fucks Given×Still No Fucks Given2014 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 26 tracks1Realest in the Game3:532Enjoy the Show0:073I Love This Way3:214Put You on Game3:305Fuck You2:086P Diddy0:147Pain Killa4:068Justin Bieber1:209I Love the Money2:0910Drink Bleach LS0:4411Heartbreak and Headboards3:3512Baby Momma2:3813Hmmm0:0914Loyal2:5315No Invite0:1716She Can Have You3:3617Honest0:1618Devil in You2:581910 Min With God4:1620We All Try1:5721Run the Streets2:4622Rated R1:2223Summer3:1624Cont0:2825Tomorrow Too Late3:3626Whatever3:22 (2014) and toured as a supporting act on Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines Tour. Her participation in Love & Hip Hop: New York also served as a lead-in to her own reality series, K. Michelle: My Life, which premiered in November 2014.
On September 16, 2014, she released "Love 'Em All" as the lead single from her second studio album Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?×Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?4 December 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Judge Me3:092Love 'Em All4:063Going Under3:554Cry4:465How Do You Know?3:356Hard to Do3:587Maybe I Should Call3:298Something About the Night3:309Miss You, Goodbye3:0610Build a Man Intro / Build a Man6:0311Drake Would Love Me4:1912God I Get It4:38. The album was released on December 9, 2014, through Atlantic Records and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 87,000 copies in its first week. Billboard recognized it as the highest-selling female R&B album of 2014. It produced the singles “Maybe I Should Call” and “Hard to Do,” both of which were later certified Gold by the RIAA. The album also included the single “How Do You Know?” “Love 'Em All” was later certified Platinum by the RIAA, and the album track “Cry” was certified Gold.

2015–2017: More Issues Than Vogue, Kimberly: The People I Used to Know

In 2016, she released "Not a Little Bit×Not a Little Bit22 January 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Not a Little Bit3:29" as the lead single from her third studio album More Issues Than Vogue×More Issues Than Vogue25 March 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Mindful1:562Got Em Like3:503Ain't You4:154Not a Little Bit3:295If It Ain't Love4:266Make the Bed3:377Nightstand4:208These Men4:299All I Got3:5110Time4:3811Rich4:0512Sleep Like a Baby3:28, followed by several promotional singles including “Ain’t You,” “Mindful,” and “Time.” The album was made available for pre-order in February 2016 and released on March 25, 2016. It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B Albums chart.
Following her return appearances on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, she rejoined the main cast for season five, which documented her relocation to Atlanta and the release of More Issues Than Vogue. Later that year, she embarked on the Hello Kimberly Tour, which ran from July to August 2016. In September 2016, she released “Forward,” a contribution to the soundtrack of the film "The Birth of a Nation".
In 2017, she was featured on “Got Me Crazy” in collaboration with DJ Feezy, Rick Ross, and Fabolous. Her reality series K. Michelle: My Life concluded after three seasons the same year. She later released the singles “Birthday” and “Either Way” featuring Chris Brown, leading into her fourth studio album Kimberly: The People I Used to Know×Kimberly: The People I Used to Know7 December 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Welcome to the People I Used to Know0:332Alert2:183God, Love, Sex and Drugs3:534Make This Song Cry3:265Crazy Like You3:446Kim K2:347Takes Two3:248Rounds3:259Either Way3:5910Birthday4:0311F**k Your Man - Interlude3:4112No Not You3:5113Giving Up On Love3:2514Help Me Grow - Interlude0:2815Heaven3:5716Run Don't Walk3:4817Industry Suicide - Interlude0:3218Talk to God4:2819Brain on Love3:2820Woman of My Word2:5421Outro1:07, released on December 7, 2017, which became her fourth album to reach the top ten of the U.S. Top R&B Albums chart. The project also marked her final release under Atlantic Records.

2018–2023: All Monsters Are Human and I'm the Problem

In 2018, she joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood for its fifth season, becoming the first cast member in the franchise to appear as a main cast member across three different installments. During this period, she signed with Entertainment One Music. and released the single "Save Me".
She announced her fifth studio album, All Monsters Are Human×All Monsters Are Human31 January 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Just Like Jay4:572That Game3:313The Rain3:314All the Lovers3:335Something New3:536Ciara’s Prayer4:197Omg3:358Supahood3:349Love on Me3:2410I Don’t Like You2:5711Table for One4:0612Can’t Let (You Get Away)3:5813The Worst3:59, in 2019 during her O.S.D. Tour. She also released the mixtape Not 1 Fuck Given on January 1, 2020, as part of her ongoing 0 Fucks Given×0 Fucks Given2012 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks1U Gonna Learn Today3:012Ghost3:383Not Into You3:354Go Off2:495Pillow3:566Baby You3:357Sweetest Love3:488Medley2:349When Crying Is Easy3:5810Jump Right In4:3011Dont Say Sorry3:3512Amen2:4013Pate Song #13:2114Adorn You1:5515Acura Intergurl (remake)1:5516Voices (skit)0:3617We Mobbin2:3218Bury My Heart4:2019Girlfriend3:3320Cant Raise a Man3:0721Skit1:3222Shut Up3:5223I Know You Wont3:4724Irrelevant2:26 series. The album was preceded by the single “The Rain,”which became her first top 10 entry on the U.S. Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and was later certified Gold by the RIAA.
All Monsters Are Human was released on January 31, 2020, debuting at number 51 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reaching the top five on the Top R&B Albums chart, marking her fifth consecutive top 10 entry on that chart. The album received generally positive reviews and was further supported by the single “Just Like Jay,” which also received a music video.
In 2022, she announced her sixth album, I'm the Problem, as her final R&B project. Its lead single, "Scooch", was released on February 11, 2022, and became her first number-one single on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. The album was released on September 22, 2023, through MNRK and debuted at number 21 on the U.S. Independent Albums chart.

2023–present: Move to country music and The Real Housewives of Atlanta

K. Michelle has long expressed interest in recording a country music album, began previewing material for a crossover project following the release of her previous R&B album, I’m the Problem×I’m the Problem22 September 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Intro: Lot of Nothing, Pt.11:172Memphis2:583No Pain3:304Blame Yourself4:105Love Language2:556YOU4:007Lot of Nothing, Pt.20:458Big Deal2:359Wherever the D May Land3:3410Hurt Shit3:1611I Cheat4:5812Only One3:4913Gangsta in Me3:2214Lot of Nothing, Pt.31:2115This Man3:4816Scooch3:3417God Knew3:4418Same Damn Show3:12.
In 2023, she made her Nashville performance debut at the kickoff of BMI’s Rooftop on the Row concert series. That same year, she released the country song “Tennessee” as a bonus track on her I’m The Problem album, introducing the material under her alter ego “Puddin’. She co-wrote the song with its producers, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York. She also appeared on “Country Love Song” with Justin Champagne and contributed to The Judds tribute album, A Tribute to the Judds, performing a cover of "Love Can Build a Bridge" alongside Jelly Roll and Fisk Jubilee Singers.
She performed at CMA Fest in 2023 and returned in 2024, where she appeared on the VIP stage at Nissan Stadium. In November 2023, she and Jelly Roll performed “Love Can Build a Bridge” live at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards where their performance received a standing ovation. In 2025, she performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at CMA Fest.
In July 2024, she signed a recording contract with BBR Music Group and BMG Nashville to release her debut country project. In August 2025, she released “Jack Daniel’s” as her first promotional country single under BBR Music Group and BMG Nashville. The song peaked at number 18 on the iTunes Country Songs chart. It was produced by Kristian Bush and Jeff Balding, and written by Balding, Ernest, Jordan Dozzi, Rocky Block, and K. Michelle. Following its release, BBR Music Group described the track as an “absolutely stunning country debut” for K.Michelle.
In 2026, she joined the cast of the Bravo reality television show The Real Housewives of Atlanta for its seventeenth season.
On July 30, 2026, she announced her debut country album, Jesus & Whiskey, scheduled for release on October 16, 2026, through Real Outlawz Records, under exclusive license to BBR Music Group. The album's title track, "Jesus & Whiskey", was released the same day. She performed the song on Live! with Kelly and Mark later that day.