Kris Stephens
{{short description|American singer and songwriter (born 1987)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Kris Stephens
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Kristina Marie Stephens
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|01|21}}
| birth_place = Temple Hills, Maryland, U.S.
| origin =
| genre = R&B, pop
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = Primary Wave, RoccAge, Grand Hustle Records
| associated_acts = RoccStar, T.I., Tank
| website =
}}
(Beyoncé)
Kristina Marie Stephens (born January 21, 1987) is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her guest performance alongside Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B on rapper T.I.'s 2013 single "Memories Back Then", which entered the Billboard Hot 100. Shortly after, she signed with T.I.'s record label, Grand Hustle Records, an imprint of Epic Records to begin work on her debut studio album for the label, which remains unreleased. Prior to this, she was credited with songwriting work for American singer Tank on his albums Now or Never (2010) and This Is How I Feel (2012).{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/l2ey6g/kris-stephens-chasing-a-dream-with-help-from-tank-and-t-i |title=Kris Stephens Is the mother of one child, with producer Rockstar. |author=Ugwu, Reggie|access-date=31 December 2014|work=BET.com}}
Life and career
Stephens began writing poetry when she was nine, singing solos in church and school.{{cite web |url=http://rollingout.com/music/artist-interviews/grand-hustles-newest-artist-kris-stephens-talks-new-single/ |title=Grand Hustle's newest artist, Kris Stephens, talks new single|author=Green, Alexandria|work=Rolling Out|date=June 15, 2013 |accessdate=12 January 2015}} She attended Towson University, where she studied business management until she realized she'd been writing songs in class instead of paying attention, leading her to drop out so she could focus on music.
Stephens moved to Atlanta and joined a girl group, and although her time with the group was limited, R&B singer Tank took notice and the two formed a long-term writing partnership and eventually moved in together for a brief period of time. Tank featured her on his song "Compliments" along with rapper T.I., and on set for the music video, Stephens built a rapport with T.I.; he heard her music and decided to go into business with Tank on her behalf.
In 2013, Stephens was featured on T.I.'s single "Memories Back Then", which also featured B.o.B and Kendrick Lamar, as well as "Chasing Me," alongside Iggy Azalea and Young Dro.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1703274/ti-single-without-gotye-bob-kendrick-lamar/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110110902/http://www.mtv.com/news/1703274/ti-single-without-gotye-bob-kendrick-lamar/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2015 |title=T.I.'s 'Memories Back Then' Is 'Just As Hot' Without Gotye Sample |publisher=MTV|author=Markman, Rob|accessdate=31 December 2014}} That same year, she released a cover of Aaliyah's "One in a Million" and signed a major publishing deal with Primary Wave Music through super producer RoccStar.{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/01/16/new-music-kris-stephens-one-in-a-million-aaliyah-cover/|title=New Music: Kris Stephens – 'One in a Million' (Aaliyah cover) |website=Rap-Up.com |accessdate=2 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/2014/04/03/roccstar-drops-hot-new-video-for-confidence/|title=RoccStar Drops Hot New Video for "Confidence"|work=UrbanBridgez.com|date=April 3, 2014 |accessdate=12 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blackrefer.com/hip-hop-music.html|title=Producer RoccStar Unleashes Solo Debut Music Video "Confidence"|work=Blackrefer.com|accessdate=2 January 2015}}
Discography
=As a featured artist=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! style="width:250px;"|Artist ! Title ! Label |
|---|
| rowspan=2|2013
| T.I. and Hustle Gang feat. Iggy Azalea, Kris Stephens and Young Dro | "Chasing Me" |
| Hustle Gang feat. B.o.B, Kendrick Lamar and Kris Stephens
| "Memories Back Then" | MTC Records |
| rowspan=1|2012
| Tank feat. T.I. and Kris Stephens | "Compliments" |
=Songwriting discography=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! style="width:225px;"|Artist ! style="width:200px;"|Title ! Label |
|---|
| rowspan=1|2015
| "With You" |
| rowspan=4|2014
| "A.K.A." |
| J.Lo feat. Iggy Azalea
| "Acting Like That" |
| J.Lo
| "So Good" |
| J.Lo
| "Charades" |
| rowspan=2|2012
| "Get It Started" |
| Tank feat. Chris Brown
| "Lonely" |
| rowspan=8|2010
| "Tired of Doin Me" |
| Ron Isley
| "Supposed to Do" |
| Ginuwine
| "Heaven" | Notifi Music |
| Tank
| "It's a Celebration" |
| Tank
| "You Mean That Much" |
| Tank
| "Let Me Know" |
| Tank
| "Sex Music" |
| Tank
| "I'm on My Way" |
| rowspan=7|2009
| Tank feat. Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton & Steve Russell | "If You Dream" (More than a Game soundtrack) | |
| Day 26
| "Girlfriend" |
| LeToya
| "Over" |
| LeToya
| "Regret" |
| LeToya
| "Good to Me" |
| Pleasure P
| "Under" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.discogs.com/artist/2815603-Kris-Stephens?type=Credits Kris Stephens] discography at Discogs
- [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kris-stephens-mn0002927017/credits Kris Stephens] credits or [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kristina-stephens-mn0002602548/credits Kristina Stephens] credits at AllMusic
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Kris}}
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:African-American women singer-songwriters
Category:American women pop singers
Category:American women hip-hop singers
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters
Category:Singer-songwriters from Maryland
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century African-American women singers