From Watts to the Grammys; Kenyon Dixon Reaching Higher Heights

Jacklyn Jones
Nov 24, 2015
4 min read

Born and raised in Watts, South Central Los Angeles, Kenyon grew up in the infamous Jordan Down projects. Kenyon admits that while he grew up in a strict church household and attended church almost everyday of the week he was still faced with guns, drug and gang violence in his community. Kenyon even goes as far as to say that he had family members that were involved in the streets as well as in the church.

Kenyon comes from a musically inclined family. His Mother and Father both were singers and his father played the guitar. He goes on to say he was musically gifted but didn't feel the urgency to get right into singing. Kenyon started out as a technically trained Hip Hop and Tap dancer at the age of seven. He traveled internationally with a professional dance company. At the age of twelve he taught a class in Hip Hop dance. When he became a senior in high school he decided that he wanted to sing. His first professional gig was with the legendary West Coast rapper DJ Quick where he sang background. From there he went on to sing backgrounds while touring with Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Usher and Tyrese. Kenyon states, "I feel like all these experiences prepared me for when it was time for me to take the forefront."

Photo Credit: Tyshon Lowe

After working with Tyrese, Kenyon got into songwriting and wrote songs for Tyrese "Open Invitation" abum. That album was Grammy nominated in 2013. When Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese formed the group TGT, Kenyon was responsible for writing about three or four songs on there. The TGT album "Three Kings" was nominated in 2014 for Best R&B album. Kenyon was able to give us the exclusive that he is currently in the studio with Mary J Blige and he is also working on a project with Brandy Norwood.

Kenyon The Solo Artist

Kenyon revealed that he thought he was going to be a rapper and rapped in middle school. He did not recognize that he wanted to be a singer until the age of 17. After singing background for so many artists he appreciates the experience and is extremely grateful to God for that. Kenyon also told us that as a songwriter it is more challenging to write songs for himself versus other artists and every song that he writes may not be meant for him but may be meant for another artist. Le Votre had the opportunity to ask Kenyon about his current solo project.

{Le Votre} With the success of your two solo projects, "Higher Ground" and "Twenty Four", what can listeners expect to hear on the anticipated "SUPAFLY" EP set to release next month?

{Kenyon} "I feel like I am taking on a whole new world. It's progression to say the least, but I feel like with "SUPAFLY" I am just at a different place in life. And I just want everything I do to reflect that. And so, I feel like there is a certain vibe that is consistent with all my music that will still be there with SUPAFLY, but I feel like it's that time 10. It's just amazing feel good music. I feel like with this I am bridging what we know to be good records we have always appreciated with a new sound that can still translate to everybody for something everybody can listen to."

{Le Votre} Were there any other artists besides your family members that inspired you to want to sing or get into songwriting?

{Kenyon} "Ironically, I think it's crazy that I ended up being as closely connected to Tyrese as I am now. Like, that's my brother; we grew up in the same area. Tyrese is actually from Watts. We just had a conversation the other day. I remember being about 12 or 13 going to one of our community centers because he was performing, and I got a free CD and he signed it. That for me was like yo this is crazy because this was somebody I really looked up to, and he was from the same city. So, it was kind of like, that's really dope. To even look back then and look at his success, it was inspiring but to now also be a part of everything that's going on and experience it first hand that's extremely inspiring. I would say Tyrese for sure."

Photo Credit: Tyshon Lowe

Kenyon The Philanthropist

Kenyon started "Thee Master Class" a workshop that helps talented artist find and outlet who dont know where to start in the industry. He feels that learning your outlet is important. He helps individuals based on his life experience. The workshop offers classes centered around entertainment (singing, songwriting, artistry, etc.). The first workshop was held on November 8th and was centered around teaching vocalist how to be professional and vocal health as wells as the difference between background singing/lead vocals and gave them resources on where to find opportunities.

Kenyon Dixon is an unstoppable force who recognizes that he is gifted and wants people to remember him for his music. He also stated that "Music is not my purpose, my purpose is to be effective. Music is my outlet"- Kenyon Dixon