Kalenna Harper

Kalenna Harper
Harper in 2015
Background information
Also known as	Kalenna, Kalenna Vick
Born	(1982-08-13) August 13, 1982 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	Hip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, Record producer, TV Personality
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Bad Boy, EMI Music, Phantom Music
Associated acts	Diddy-Dirty Money, Trina, Lady Gaga,
Website	Kalenna Harper on Instagram, Kalenna Harper on Twitter

Kalenna Lashante Harper-Vick (born August 13, 1982), mononymously known as Kalenna (pronounced kuh-LEE-nuh), is an American singer-songwriter, hit TV show personality and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is perhaps best known as a member of the hip hop soul group Diddy-Dirty Money, which also included Sean "Diddy" Combs and fellow singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, until they disbanded in 2012.^[1][2] As of 2015, she is a recurring cast member on the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and working on new album titled, "Rose Water."

Early life

Harper was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Randy Howard, an emcee and serviceman, and Donna Harper, a gospel singer. Kalenna's mother was 16 when she had her and for that reason, Kalenna grew up an old soul. She has been vocally trained since the tender age of 9. Her step father, Randy Howard, played a huge role in her becoming who she is as a musician. Her family moved away from Philadelphia when Kalenna was three years old when Kalenna's step-father, whom she considers to be her biological father, enlisted in the military and blessed her with the gift of travel. She lived in places like Germany, Hawaii, Korea, Fort Richardson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, and Fort Meade.

Throughout her adolescence she became a classically trained cello player, member of an all-state choir called CREATIVE IMPRESSIONS, singer in two girl groups, one of which was called Sidekick. She began recording in local studios in Maryland to better her craft while she was attending her last year of high school. Kalenna received a full scholarship to FAMU for running track, but after blowing her right knee she decided to take music to whole other level.

Career

2004–09: Songwriting and album appearances

She wrote many songs for other artists, such as Christina Milian's "Peanut Butter & Jelly", Charlotte Church's "Moodswings (To Come at Me Like That)", Aretha Franklin's "Put You Up on Game", Pussycat Dolls' "Painted Windows" and Ciara's "Pucker Up". She was featured on Rasheeda's GA Peach on the track "Pack Ya Bags" and Timati's The Boss on the track "Sexy Bitch". A track leaked in 2008 titled "Kaboom" is a duet between Harper and Lady Gaga recorded during their sessions with Jim Jonsin, before either singer was famous.

Additional credits include, Maino (Don't Say Nothing), Three 6 Mafia (Shake My), Ciara (Kiss My Swag), Trina (Let them Hoes Fight) and Dirty Money (Love Come Down). She's also been featured on the movie soundtracks to “Phat Girls” (Stronger) and “Confessions of a Shopaholic” (Big Spender). "Let Them Hoes Fight" was originally slated to feature Gaga, but solely Harper's vocals ultimately made the record.

2009–12: Diddy-Dirty Money

Harper became a member of a group called Diddy – Dirty Money, which included Harper and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard. The band worked heavily on Diddy's new album Last Train to Paris. They released three singles in total. "Angels" was the band's debut single and featured The Notorious B.I.G., and was officially released on November 3 (but the song had leaked to the internet in early June). The video was directed by Hype Williams. The band's second single "Love Come Down" was released later that day (November 3). Both singles appeared on Diddy's album Last Train To Paris.

On November 13, a new Diddy-Dirty Money song leaked onto the internet. The song "Hurt" was a demo but officially became known as "Loving You No More," and features Drake. The song is likely to be a track on Last Train To Paris. The band's third single "Hello Good Morning" featured rapper T.I. and was released on March 30, 2010.

The group has performed on the 2010 BET Awards and nominated for the BET Best Group award. The album's fourth single "Loving You No More" featuring Drake was released on iTunes on September 21, 2010. She also co-wrote a song with Christina Aguilera on the Switch and John Hill production "Bionic" for Aguilera's 2010 fourth studio album, Bionic.

In 2012, the group disbanded. From there, Kalenna returned to making music as a solo artist.

2012-15: Black Orchid, Love and Hiphop Atlanta

Kalenna released a mix-tape called Chamber of Diaries on February 13, 2012 free of charge, consisting of thirteen tracks. The mixtapes lead single, "Go To Work" was released in November 2011.^[3]

She is a recurring star in season 3-5 of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. During the span of the show, Kalenna released singles such as Murder and Space and Time on iTunes. Which will serve as her first single from her debut solo album Black Orchid.

Kalenna is set to release her most anticipated album yet "Rose Water" late 2016.

2016-17: A Chance 2 Shine

A 10-week campaign that will help ambitious writers, producers, singers, rappers and dj’s with a chance to shine. Kalenna will be choosing 100 people to work with to help create singles, demos, and/or features. It will be showcased throughout the internet from Instagram to YouTube.

Personal life

Harper is married to Tony Vick, they have two children, son Meshach Vick and son Noah Vick, born in late 2014.

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

As featured artist

As songwriter

Filmography

Television

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalenna Harper.

• Kalenna Harper on Instagram
• Kalenna Harper on Twitter
  
• Kalenna Harper at the Internet Movie Database
• Non-commercial Kalenna mixtapes