Kiana Ledé Talks New Album ‘Cut Ties’, Tour with Jhené Aiko, and Love of Horror

For Kiana Ledé, spooky season isn’t just a time of year-it’s a state of mind. The R&B artist’s latest album, Cut Ties, brings together her pop-soul roots with a darker, more alternative edge as she navigates toxic relationships, self-discovery and personal liberation. Anchored by standout tracks like “Too Many Strings” and the title track, the album offers a cinematic dive into Ledé’s emotional landscape, balancing eerie aesthetics with heartfelt storytelling. 

Kiana Ledé Cut Ties Artwork. Image: Courtesy of Kiana Ledé.

Fresh off the release of Cut Ties and in the middle of supporting Jhené Aiko’s Magic Hour tour, Ledé sat down with EBONY to discuss her creative evolution, newfound independence and what this chapter of her career means to her. 

“This is my favorite time of year. I really wanted to put something out because I know that we waited so long for [my last album] Grudges after [my debut] Kiki, which was out of my control. And now I have all the control, which is so exciting. So I kind of wanted to just like, exercise that a little bit.” said Ledé.  

The album’s horror-inspired aesthetic wasn’t an accident and is a signal to creative shifts the artist intends to make in the future. “Horror and all things dark and weird are a passion of mine,” she said. So I wanted to bring that out in music because I mean, I plan on writing a horror movie.” 

The title Cut Ties alone is weighted heavily for Ledé. Although much of the record speaks on romantic relationships, much of the thematic tone transcends beyond relationship issues. The singer explained that while romantic connections play a large role in our lives, professional relationships are also highly intricate. “I think Cut Ties is a very strong theme for me in this point of my life because I’ve let go of my relationships with different things in the business and personally.”  

Image: Kanya Iwana.

Despite its heavy themes, Cut Ties doesn’t lack fun moments. Songs like “Space *” and the horror-themed release party for the album showcase Ledé’s playful side.  

The album is an ode to Lede’s horror roots—another highlight of her career has been starring on MTV’s Scream. ” A lot of my day-one fans know me from Scream. I had the best time working on that show for obvious reasons—I’m obsessed with horror. I’ve always had a strong connection to horror films and spooky things. Growing up, my sister and I would have horror movie marathons all night at least once a week.” 

Currently opening for Jhené Aiko, Ledé has relished the opportunity to connect with fans old and new. “Jhené is one of my favorite artists, so just getting to watch her show every night is a dream,” she said. “And performing has been amazing. I feel like I’m winning people over every night. It’s so exciting to see their reactions and know that my music is resonating.” 

Ledé is already prepping Cut Tie’s follow up effort, with a continuation of the themes introduced in this project. “This album is just one side of the story,” she teased. “We’ve already started on the next project, and it’s going to show a completely different perspective. It’s all part of a bigger picture.” 

With Cut Ties, Kiana Ledé is peeling back another layer of herself, inviting fans into a world that’s as haunting as it is healing. “I hope people see themselves in this project,” she said. “I want them to cry in their cars and twerk in their living rooms. Most of all, I want them to feel less alone. 

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