Tiera Kennedy may be an emerging name in country music, but she’s already winning hearts with a sound she calls R&B country. During a recent chat with EBONY, she spoke about balancing songwriting with daily journaling sessions that keep her grounded. It’s a blend of peace and purpose guiding her path, especially at a recent writer’s retreat in Franklin, Tennessee.
Fans quickly took notice of Tiera’s versatility when she made a cameo at the Beyoncé Bowl during “Blackbiird.” As if that wasn’t enough star power, she also took part in the much-buzzed-about Album of the Year-winning Cowboy Carter album, uniting a fresh generation of voices under the intentional eye of Beyoncé herself. Tiera describes it all as surreal and deeply motivating, affirming that country music is ready for new stories and diverse perspectives.
Her debut album, Rooted, carries this same energy. A proud Alabama native, Tiera fell in love with the art of storytelling while listening to icons like Dolly Parton and Tricia Yearwood. As her own writing evolved, she started blending country traditions with R&B elements—an approach that caught the attention of fans who appreciate the honesty in her music.
Even as her live shows expand and her community grows, Tiera still finds time to host The Tiera Show on Apple Music, championing fellow artists and highlighting the genre’s newest voices. She’s not shy about her goals, either—modeling, acting and every creative lane that calls her name. One thing is certain: if Tiera Kennedy has her way, country music will never sound—or feel—the same again.
EBONY: Where in the world are you located right now?
Tiera Kennedy: I am in Franklin [TN] right now. I’m actually at a writer’s retreat, and this is my first time getting back into writing after the holidays. It’s been really fun, and it’s very peaceful out here. There’s a pig walking around somewhere, so you might see him walk by.
Funny enough, when it comes to songwriting camps or retreats, is this really a songwriting camp, or is it more of a retreat—like a wellness element—or where does it fall?
I like to do a combination of both. It’s just beautiful scenery, and I feel it’s so much more inspiring to write in this beautiful nature. I feel so much more connected to the music and connected to life. We find good scenery and write good songs that have heart behind it, and find good people who’ve walked through similar paths but also different paths, and we just get to create music that I hope will touch a lot of people.
The thing that always stands out about country music is how much there is this “fostering of community” between collaborators. Where do you find yourself in terms of that community? Do you have friends you can lean on—maybe some who are also creatives, songwriters, musicians or even people on the business side?
Well, [my manager] Takirra is my village [laughs]. It’s funny you asked that because we’re literally writing a song called “Village” right now about finding community and finding your people. That’s been so special to me, especially recently, finding people I can lean on and who can lean on me. We’re all going through something; life is tough, and we have to lean on each other. I’ve always been focused on finding my people, and I usually write with the same group because I can have a therapy session when we write.
You’re now at this place where you’ve been making music for some time and crafting your fan base. What was it like when you were initially coming into music and decided, “Okay, I’m going to take this seriously”? Did you get started more as a songwriter and then transition into releasing your own music, or was it always you putting out your own message?
Yeah, I started out songwriting. It was a lot about telling my story and what I was going through. I started writing by myself, and then later I found people who could help me tell that story. I think I always knew I wanted to be an artist, and recently, it’s really come together what my purpose is as an artist.
For a long time, I was just writing music that felt good and was fun to jam to—which is great, we need a vibe—but I really want to create music that speaks to people. It’s been special these past few months seeing a community in my comments, seeing people I’ve never met before—hopefully one day I will—connect to a song. That adds such a deeper meaning to all of this for me. I think the fancy things, like awards, are cool, but that’s not the purpose.
Since you’re from Alabama, can you share who your family was playing when you were growing up—some real foundational influences for people who might not know beyond the last 10 or 15 years of country music?
Yeah, I listened to a lot of Dolly Parton, Shaniah Twain and Tricia Yearwood—those big female voices. I connected with it even more because in ’90s country they wrote whatever was on their minds, especially Dolly, who didn’t care what anyone thought about her lyrics.
Even outside of artists, I gravitated toward songwriters, finding music I connected to, then looking at who was writing it. Nicole Gallion and Hillary Lindsay wrote so many big country songs, and I looked up to them and dissected their music. Then, moving to Nashville—it really is a small community—I had the chance to sign with Nicole Galleon’s songwriting company. It’s full circle to grow up listening to these songwriters and artists and now work with them.
And you’ve touched on how R&B influences your music, who in that area inspired you creatively?
I would say this even if I hadn’t worked with her, but Beyoncé is such an example for me. Meeting her as a human was inspiring. It’s been inspiring to look at Cowboy Carter and see the bigger meaning. It wasn’t just an album of great songs—it had history behind it, it had meaning behind it, and even everyone who was involved in the project. To see the way it shifted the entire world and exposed so many people to our culture was beautiful.
It’s also been healing for me to show up as my authentic self. I describe my sound as R&B country, and for a second, I didn’t feel fully understood in that sound. Now I feel I’m really stepping into it, thanks to the community accepting me for who I am.
What did it feel like to see country music—especially with these Black women—amplified across the globe at the Beyoncé Bowl? What did that visibility feel like for you?
I tear up every time I think about it. For so long, I felt I was in this bubble, fighting for my voice and my music to be heard. I think about the little girl in Birmingham [AL] and how proud she’d be, and also all the little girls just finding their dreams. My hope is that seeing us up there means they never have to doubt if they belong.
Representation is so important, and I never saw myself in country music. I’m thankful my family made that a beautiful thing, telling me I could be the first. I always felt encouraged to keep going, but I wondered if there’d be a space after us for other little girls to fill our place. Seeing all these beautiful Black women on Netflix—next to Beyoncé—that’s so cool. It’s a powerful statement, and it’s taken up so many hearts. It’s so important.
2024 was huge for you—from the start of the year all the way to Christmas—and now we’re in 2025. You’re an independent artist, so with that momentum and being in the driver’s seat of everything, do you think about the next level? Maybe partnering with a new company, or what building the empire of Tiera Kennedy looks like?
I’ve realized it’s about community. When I was signed to my record deal, you get assigned to a group who may or may not love or understand the music. I’ve learned it’s less about a big name and more about finding your people. I truly have a community on my team; they lift me up and let me be who I want to be. Everyone is playing a part—my mom is at home packing merch, my husband is my creative director and kind of my manager. We should enjoy it, even though it’s our job.
I’ve really loved being independent. It’s not for the faint of heart—there are tough times—but it’s about who you surround yourself with so you can get through those moments and then celebrate the big ones.
People think being independent means doing it alone, but sometimes it means having more people because you’re overseeing everything. How do you find your peace and stability so you can still create, while also handling studio time, paying the engineer, focusing on logistics, merch—everything?
It’s a constant balance. I start every morning journaling and talking to God, laying it all out: “Lord, this is what I need today. I need peace. Help me with this conversation.” That’s how I get through every day. I didn’t journal yesterday, and it was tough. Every time I talk to Him; He keeps me aligned. It’s less about logistics because each day is different. For me, it’s about finding peace in my heart, and that always starts with God.
It’s incredible that you’re open about your relationship with God. Some people avoid talking about Him, but it’s refreshing to hear someone be so honest. Thank you.
Absolutely. I wouldn’t have this gift without Him, so I have to talk to Him to figure out how best to use it. Every day I’m like, “Decrease me to increase You, Lord.” Yes, I sing country music, but there’s still a way to connect with people through that. Over the past year, God has directed every single step. I got dropped from my deal, then a few months later got a call from Beyoncé—that’s only God. I look to Him in every step, so thankful He trusted me with this gift, and I want to use it the right way.
You released your debut album Rooted, and it was received so well. Any plans to keep supporting it—performing more or anything else to keep the momentum going?
Yes, absolutely. I’m thankful for the new community that found my music. I played a couple shows last year, some Rooted showcases, and we missed a lot of markets, so we definitely plan to get out there. We also have an extension of the Rooted story. Even after releasing it, I became more rooted from seeing how it affected people and how they love me.
I put Rooted out hoping there was an audience for my R&B country, and it’s been special seeing people gravitate to my favorite songs. It’s inspired me to put even more of myself out there. The Rooted story isn’t done.
Beyond Rooted, maybe personally, what do you want to achieve in 2025, or how do you want to feel about yourself and your music by next year?
I have an Apple radio show coming back in March, which has been a special way to share not just my own music but other people’s too, and lift other artists up. My husband and I love working together and have a healthy relationship doing so, which isn’t always normal. We plan to share that story. I’ve realized I don’t have to be just one thing. For a long time, I thought being an artist was the only option, but I can tell stories in different ways. I’m interested in modeling, acting—wherever the Lord wants me, I’ll go.
