Tori Kelly

Tori Kelly is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and voice actress from Wildomar, California. She is known for pop, soul and contemporary R&B music, with influences that also include christian hip hop, hip hop soul and neo soul.

Early life and start on YouTube

Kelly begins posting videos on YouTube at the age of 14 and first gains attention through a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You”, which goes viral. She is the daughter of musicians: her father is a singer and bassist, and her mother plays piano and saxophone. She cites Crystal Lewis, Jill Scott, Jeff Buckley and Maxwell among her early influences.

First releases and major label work

In 2012, Kelly independently releases her debut EP, Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly, which she writes, produces and mixes herself. The following year, Scooter Braun becomes her manager after seeing her videos online and introduces her to Capitol Records, which she signs with in September. Her second EP, Foreword, follows in October 2013 as her first major label release.

Her debut album, Unbreakable Smile, is released in 2015. The lead single, “Nobody Love”, is her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. She co-writes the song with Rickard Goransson and Max Martin, and the album also involves writers including Savan Kotecha, Toby Gad, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Wolf Cousins and Ed Sheeran. Kelly describes the record as combining soulful urban elements with mainstream pop.

Recognition and other work

Kelly receives a nomination for Best New Artist at the 58th Grammy Awards. In film, she voices Meena, a shy teenage elephant, in the 2016 animated film Sing. She also appears as a singer-songwriter and voice actress in addition to her recording career.

Live performance

Before and during this period, Kelly performs sold-out shows in several cities including Los Angeles, New York City and London, headlines a sold-out nine-city US tour, and supports Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith on tour. Her YouTube channel reaches more than one million subscribers and more than 89 million views.