Popping Up: K. Rose

Robbie Daw | August 8, 2013 6:00 am

Popping Up is our recurring look at new artists making noise on the music landscape. Because, hey — Madonna and Britney were once unknown, too.

K. Rose isn’t exactly a stranger around Idolator. You may recall that we premiered her video for hypnotic club jam “A Voi E A Me (You And I)” back in January. So when this young singer/songwriter/dancer from the Sunshine State traveled up North, we were eager to put her in our Popping Up hot seat and find out what drives her, creatively.

And so, with blonde braids in, harem pants on and a striking arm tattoo — one that’s dedicated to her brother, Richard, as well as her love of music — on full display, K. Rose gave us the lowdown on her current single “Booji Girl,” her upcoming collaboration with Rick Ross and new EP Sink Or Swim. Watch her interview above, and find out more about this dynamic dance-pop diva below.

FULL NAME: Katrina Rose Booker-Tandy

WHERE SHE’S FROM: Miami

SOUNDS LIKE: A blend of pop, dance, hip hop and R&B. K. Rose keeps with the current refreshing trend of defying genre. “I’m kind of trying to fuse hip hop and EDM,” K. says in the interview above. “I’m digging down to my roots and really showcasing my voice on [upcoming] EP [Sink Or Swim].”

ALBUM THAT INFLUENCED HER THE MOST: Michael Jackson‘s Thriller. (Are you noticing a trend?)

HOW SHE WAS DISCOVERED: Marcello “Cool” Valenzano of production duo Cool & Dre judged a Miami talent contest K. performed at. “He asked my manager at the time if I could come back and perform at their studio, which I did,” she explains. “Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes — everyone was in the living room of the studio, and I was so nervous.”

SONG THAT FIRST CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION: “Sleep When I’m Dead”

HER LATEST SINGLE: “Booji Girl”

WHAT’S UP NEXT: K.’s next single is called “That Fire,” and will be produced by Cool & Dre. “This is the first song I’ve ever had produced by Cool & Dre,” she says. “I wrote it and…it’s featuring Rick Ross. It’s actually very different from what I’ve done before.”

K.’s EP Sink Or Swim is due out soon. Watch our full interview with her above!