Kelly Price Profile, Biography, Lists
Lists:
Most Stylish Big Beautiful Women
Early Life & Musical Roots
- Born: April 4, 1973, in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York City.
- Raised in a devoted Pentecostal household—her grandfather was a pastor and her mother the church’s music director. Known affectionately as “Little Mahalia” for her early gospel talent, she began singing in church at age six and joined a gospel choir as a teen.
Rise to Fame & Breakthroughs
- Backup Vocalist Beginnings: In 1992, performed with George Michael at Madison Square Garden. During a rehearsal for the Grammys that year, Mariah Carey discovered her, launching a multi-year stint as Carey’s background vocalist.
- Worked with Puff Daddy’s Hitmen at Bad Boy Records, performing backing vocals on hip-hop hits including Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” and Mase’s “Feel So Good”.
Solo Success & Albums
- Soul of a Woman (1998) – Debut album on T-Neck/Island; went platinum, featured the chart-topper “Friend of Mine”.
- Mirror Mirror (2000) – Platinum-certified; featured Grammy-nominated “As We Lay”.
- Priceless (2003) – Peaked at #2 on R&B charts and #10 on Billboard 200; features collaborators like Eric Clapton.
- This Is Who I Am (2006) – Debuted #1 on Gospel charts; delivered her first live gospel album.
- Kelly (2011) – Singles “Not My Daddy” and “Tired” earned Grammy nominations.
- Grace EP (2021) – A heartfelt return to gospel after personal loss during the COVID-19 crisis.
Collaborations & Behind-the-Scenes Influence
- Featured alongside Whitney Houston and Faith Evans on the hit “Heartbreak Hotel” — a #1 R&B and top-3 Hot 100 smash.
- Co-writer on K. Michelle’s single “Not a Little Bit” (2016), and appeared on Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo.
- Beyond singing, she has writing, production, and arranging credits for Mariah Carey, George Michael, Aretha Franklin, LL Cool J, Brandy, R. Kelly, Eric Clapton, and more.
Awards & Accolades
- Grammy Nominations: Including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “As We Lay,” “Tired,” “Not My Daddy,” and Best R&B Album (Kelly).
- Awards: Won Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist (1999) .
Personal Life & Challenges
- Family: Married long-time manager Jeffrey Rolle (divorced in 2015); they share a son and a daughter. Later became engaged to Darrell Crump.
- Survived personal tragedies, including the loss of her mother and mother-in-law to breast cancer; she donated $250,000 to breast cancer research in 2000.
- In 2021, was briefly reported “missing” but later clarified she was in hospital battling severe COVID-19.
Legacy & Impact
- A commanding presence in contemporary R&B and gospel, Kelly used her voice and songwriting to challenge industry standards—refusing to conform to weight expectations and focusing on authenticity.
- Her debut laid a foundation for her as both a vocal powerhouse and a multifaceted creative force—mentor, songwriter, producer, and breast-cancer advocate.
- With over two decades of hits, collaborations, and awards, Kelly has cemented her status as a resilient icon whose “big voice” carries deep emotional resonance.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Kelly Cherelle Price |
| Born | April 4, 1973 (age 52) |
| Genres | R&B, soul, gospel |
| Peak Chart Debut | Soul of a Woman: #15 Billboard 200; #2 R&B |
| Grammy Wins/Noms | Multiple nominations; wins via collaborations |
| Philanthropy | Breast cancer fundraising; gospel outreach |
| Recent Work | 2021’s gospel EP Grace |
Legacy
Kelly Price’s career spans from choir prodigy to celebrated R&B/gospel artist. With her powerhouse vocals, songwriting, and production prowess, she’s collaborated with industry legends, championed faith-rooted music, advocated for health causes, and continued evolving even amid personal trials. A true voice of emotional truth, she inspires through resilience and musical excellence.
CATEGORIES Singers & Musicians
