Kyshona Armstrong (known monomymously as Kyshona) is an American singer, songwriter, and musical therapist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her songs incorporate elements of roots, rock, RnB, and folk and often feature themes of liberation and community. Her discography includes four albums. Her song Listen gained prominence during the 2020 racial justice protests due to its "prescient" lyrics.[1]
Kyshona Armstrong | |
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| Origin | Irmo, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | https://www.kyshona.com/ |
Early life
editKyshona grew up in Irmo, South Carolina.[2] She attended the University of Georgia, where she studied musical therapy and classical music performance on the oboe.[3]
Career
editMusic therapy
editAfter college, Kyshona spent 17 years as a music therapist, focusing on veterans, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, and the youth.[4]
Music career
editKyshona began writing her songs with patients under her care.[5] As a therapist, she met two black men—one a poet, the other studying recreational therapy—who had breakdowns and were in the mental hospital. She recounts learning how to write music through their therapy sessions.[5] In 2014, she moved to Nashville to pursue a career as an independent artist.[citation needed]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Go (2014)
- The Ride 2.0 (2017)
- Listen (2020)
- Legacy (2024)
Live albums
edit- Live at the Sanctuary (2021)
References
edit- ^ Williamson, Shelby (2022-09-08). "Basic Folk - Kyshona". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ "Q&A: Catching Up With Kyshona, One Year After She Called Us To 'Listen'". WMOT. 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ "The African American Folklorist: Kyshona Armstrong is an artist, activist, and voice of the voiceless". WKU Public Radio | The Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ jen.mulson@gazette.com, Jennifer Mulson (2022-11-04). "R&B, folk singer songwriter, music therapist Kyshona Armstrong to perform in Colorado Springs". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ a b Harris, Adam (2023-01-26). "Listen: Kyshona's 'Cleft Of The Rock' Is Our Mountain Stage Song Of The Week". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2024-02-05.