Singer/songwriter Tiera Kennedy is embarking on a new journey through her music. With strong values of authenticity and reflecting on where she came from, her debut album, Rooted, showcases everything from vulnerability, love, and heartbreak. Available on all platforms since October, this record shows a new side of Tiera.
The songstress, who hails from Gardendale, Alabama, first moved to Nashville nine years ago to pursue her dreams of becoming a musician. Within two years of being in town, she reached her goal of signing a publishing deal, which ultimately blossomed into a record deal after her 2022 track, “Found It In You,” independently achieved over 20 million streams. Now an independent artist herself, Tiera is thrilled to embark on this new era of her career and show her true self through her music.
“It’s been a wild year for me… I went through a lot of life changes, and this is the first full project I’ve ever put out,” Tiera shares. “I wanted it to represent me as a person and what I’ve been through.”
With a knack for storytelling and a sound that embodies traditional country with an R&B flair, Tiera continues to share that a couple of songs on this record were written as long as four years ago. From marrying her husband, Kamren – who doubles as her creative director – in 2021, leaving her record deal, becoming an independent artist, and truly figuring out her path and sound as an artist, Tiera landed on the title Rooted to remind herself to go back to her roots and remember where she came from.
“Being rooted, to me, means standing firm in who you are and being confident in that, no matter what anyone has to say… that’s really where this stemmed from for me,” she shares. “Being my debut project, I wanted it to represent all parts of me. I think in being rooted, there are some days you don’t feel confident, but it’s the constant reminder to bring yourself back to center and be confident in yourself.”
One of her favorite tracks on the album and the project’s lead single, “I Ain’t a Cowgirl” speaks on the strong emotion behind having faith in yourself. Her angelic voice shines, proving the heartbreak that can stand behind strength. Sharing she was in a broken place when she penned this track, it has felt very full circle for her to be able to reflect on the past year and see how much she has grown alongside this song.
“It’s been the most special time putting out music… seeing people gravitating towards different songs on the project has been super cool,” Tiera shares. “I feel like I put together a project that really represents me, and I’m so proud of every song.”
In the new year, Tiera is excited to focus on new projects, release new music, and live life to the absolute fullest.
A featured collaborator on Beyoncè’s Cowboy Carter album, Tiera has also landed on several of the most impressive Artist to Watch Lists, including CMT's Listen Up, MusicRow's Next Big Thing, and Pandora's Country Artist to Watch. She has also taken her music on the road, opening for artists including Kelsea Ballerini and Danielle Bradbery while playing festivals across the country.
@TieraMusic
“Being rooted, to me, means standing firm in who you are…”