An Interivew With Singer KANISHA K On Her Latest Track, ‘Bet On Me’, Favorite Artists and More!

Keeping the momentum behind her impressive string of popular chart singles going, Kanisha K bursts into 2017 with a challenge to her thousands of loyal fans nationwide: “Bet on Me.”

The emotional power ballad, a co-write by the Holland, Michigan based pop singer and track producer Joe Vulpis (Lady Gaga, Richie Blackmore, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lindsay Lohan), was released to radio and retail on Friday, February 17 via Daddy Rocks Entertainment.

  “The song is about feeling like the underdog and asking the question, ‘If I were at my lowest point,’ would you still bet on me and take a chance on me?’” says the Holland, Michigan based pop singer. “I wrote it in kind of a love song mode but am in a very different place in my life now, so I can embrace its much deeper meaning. When we’re not at our best, are the people we love and count on going to be there for us through the hard times? Who’s going to stick around and who is not? I’m really proud of ‘Bet On Me.’ It’s a powerful and inspiring song and I love belting it out!”

“Bet On Me” continues the dynamic creative relationship between Kanisha and Vulpis that began in 2015 with the singles “Oh Damn Yeah” (which was released to both Top 40 and CHR radio) her cover of I’ll Be Home For Christmas” peaked at #26 on Billboard and #15 on the Mediabase Holiday Chart. “Oh Damn Yeah” was mastered by Tom Coyne, who has worked on projects by Adele, Beyonce, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Pink and Ariana Grande.

“Oh Damn Yeah” became a popular song in Brazil in the summer of 2016 when numerous restaurants, stores and hotels in Rio de Janeiro played it during the Summer Olympics. As well as her Christmas song being placed in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Coach stores.

Over the past few years, Kanisha has earned national endorsements from Sennheiser, Forever 21 and Abercrombie & Fitch. Her seasonal tribute song, “(I Found Love,) Just In Time For Christmas” has been used to the holiday cheer in both Victoria’s Secret and Kohls stores throughout the nation.

Kanisha is currently working on material for herself and other artists in Nashville with veteran songwriters Britton Cameron, Nathan Meckel and Jane Bach.

Learn more about Kanisha K in the following All Access interview:

Let’s start off by talking about your newest single, “ Bet on Me”! Can you tell us about the inspiration and meaning behind the song?

“ Bet on Me” is extremely unique because when I wrote the song with my producer Joe Vulpis, I was in an entirely different head space . I was writing from a place of being emotional and using my feelings from a relationship to fuel the lyrics. Today the song has taken an entirely different meaning and remains very true in a completely different situation. I have had a few health obstacles that I have had to overcome and I really wondered would people still have faith in me even when I’m down?  As a writer you always have the memory of when you wrote the song and what you were feeling but weirdly the song grew with me and transitioned into a new phase of my life. And for the record everyone “Bet on Me” and helped me keep fighting!

I sense great strength and emotion in your music. Can you tell me how those two feelings come to play in your writing and performing process?

Well I would say the first thing, you have to do is be vulnerable .If you want to really create something with true meaning and something different from all the other artist you need to get past that so you can create something no one else has! It changes everything and there are no limitations to your writing and if you are willing to do that while writing you can just have fun on stage because the hardest part is over, opening up.

What is the overall message and vibe the comes with your music? How do you hope listeners feel when they hear you?

Well some of my songs I hope I can empower women but also I really want everyone to be touched in their own way! I want to make music that speaks to everyone and be relatable to in their own way.

Which of your personal songs do you hold closest to your heart?

Right now “Bet on Me”! Like I said I said previously I had to battle some heath issues , I never stopped fighting but it was a matter of who would stand by me when they knew I wasn’t the same. it was an amazing lesson and trust me the ones who didn’t stick around didn’t realize how much fight I had !

Please describe your experience the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio?

I just started crying! It was my Christmas song and I was working in New York driving back to Michigan, we were listening to the channel I was suppose to be on for hours and we stopped at a museum on the way home and just as we were getting out it played! I started balling, my Dad asked me why are you crying I said because all of our work has payed off people are hearing me!

What are some of your biggest musical influences ? What is it that inspires you ?

First I will say Etta James, she was my #1 Idol. I listened to her daily, and I can thank my Dad for that , he always exposed us to the greats and every genre of music! I don’t know why Etta struck such a chord with me but for some reason she was everything to me from a very young age. My Dad got me tickets to see her I think I was 16 or 17 at a local casino but they wouldn’t allow it because my age and not long after she passed . I never got to see my idol but vocally I refer to her a lot . My other Idol was and is Alicia Keys because she embodied the voice and talent of all the greats but was relevant and was able to become mainstream without giving up her soul, funk and roots and between those two that was my inspiration .

What do you consider to be the highest accomplishment as a musician? What does success look like to you?

I think the highest accomplishment as a musician would be for me to be able to use my music for more than just art. I would like to use it to create a platform for me to get positive messages out there, be a role model and bring awareness to important topics. I really want to use my music for bigger things and I view success in the same way. Being able to do what I love and using it for positive important things would definitely be an accomplishment and I would also feel a great success!

What genre of music do you most often listen to recreationally?

I listen to a lot of top 40 type of music because I like to stay current, however my Dad surprised my Mom and I with tickets with to see “Hamilton” we have been twice now so naturally I LOVE the original sound track and the “Hamilton Mixtape”. Lin Manuel Miranda is absolutely BRILLIANT and its safe to say I am slightly obsessed with that right now!

And to end on an enjoyable note…will you tell us about a time in your career when you felt overcome with joy? Perhaps a moment  that makes all your hard work feel completely worthwhile?

The biggest moment and unreal moment for me was when I was at the HMMA awards and I was up for “Best Pop” single. I had two songs in the category but there were lots of others and it was my first award show ever and there were returning nominees in my category so I was positive I wasn’t going to win and I didn’t prepare any kind of speech or anything. I remember vividly my category coming up and my back was turned so I was having a sip of my Margarita and they called my name and my song came on ! My eyes bugged out of my head my mom yelled and I just wasn’t ready lol so I made my way up there luckily I came up with something on the spot but then I had to do some press it was just crazy and the most amazing feeling . Being recognized for my work by people in the industry really was a moment that made everything worthwhile at that point I felt like I was doing what I should be doing. I’m extremely blessed to get to do what I do and I never will take it for granted!