Key Takeaways
- K. Michelle will celebrate her country debut, Jesus & Whiskey, at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music on Nov. 6 with a career conversation, album music, and the unveiling of her album-cover dress.
- The nine-track album, produced by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, advances her push for Black representation in country: “I want to make sure that this project is representation of African Americans in country music.”
- An Afternoon with K. Michelle runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the museum’s Roots Theatre, with free admission and required registration.
K. Michelle's move into country music is getting recognition from the National Museum of African American Music, just weeks after the release of her first country album, Jesus & Whiskey.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star will be celebrated at the Nashville museum on Friday, Nov. 6, during a special event titled An Afternoon with K. Michelle. The two-hour program will feature a conversation about her career, music from Jesus & Whiskey, and the unveiling of the dress she wore on the album cover.
The recognition comes after years of K. Michelle working to establish herself in country music, a transition she began publicly discussing in 2023. Although she built her recording career in R&B, the Memphis native has repeatedly emphasized that country music has always been part of her musical background.
"I want to make sure that this project is representation of African Americans in country music," she previously said of her move into the genre.
Released Oct. 16, Jesus & Whiskey features nine tracks produced by Sugarland's Kristian Bush. The project includes "Jack Daniel's," "Yodel," "Blame Tennessee," and "Anything," featuring Blush. Its title track explores faith, heartbreak, personal imperfections, and redemption, themes K. Michelle has also discussed while promoting the album.
She performed "Jesus & Whiskey" on Live with Kelly and Mark ahead of the album's release, adding another national television appearance to a country music résumé that already included performances at CMA events and a collaboration with Jelly Roll and the Fisk Jubilee Singers on "Love Can Build a Bridge."
But the transition hasn't been without criticism.
K. Michelle has previously pushed back against people questioning whether her music belongs in the country genre, particularly amid broader conversations about Black representation following Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter era.
"I don't care what you think about this being a country album or not," she said while addressing the criticism.
She also described her work in Nashville as "fighting for us as black people," making clear that her country music ambitions extend beyond releasing a single project.
Now, the National Museum of African American Music is recognizing that musical evolution.
"Known for her powerhouse vocals, raw storytelling, and fearless authenticity, K. Michelle has captivated audiences with a sound that bridges R&B, soul, and country music," the museum said in its announcement.
The organization added that the event will explore "the inspiration behind Jesus & Whiskey, her creative journey, and the stories that brought the album to life."
The recognition also comes as K. Michelle enters a new chapter in reality television. After gaining national attention through Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and her VH1 series K. Michelle: My Life, she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 17 alongside Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole.
The Nov. 6 event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at the museum's Roots Theatre in Nashville. Admission is free, although registration is required.
