Like the
Jackson family and
Deniece Williams before her, singer, MC, and songwriter
K'La is from Gary, Indiana. In order to pursue a music career, she moved with her two children -- along with a friend, a fellow single mother -- to Atlanta, Georgia and eventually connected with
Anthony "T.A." Tate, who had elevated the careers of
Ciara and
J. Holiday. Signed to
Tate's Music Line company,
K'La debuted in 2010 with a mixtape, The Coldest Winter, as well as "All Your Love," a laid-back single that debuted on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart that December. Her next single, a low-key but superior
Salaam Remi production titled "Blame" (featuring a guest verse from
Nas), was released in July 2012 and hit the chart the following month. ~ Andy Kellman