Kendra Erika is a name that echoes through the halls of dance floors, chart lists, and global stages. A singer, songwriter, and actress with an undeniable presence, she’s become a powerhouse in the music industry, blending timeless influences with a bold, modern sound. With five Billboard Top Ten dance hits, Kendra made her biggest mark in 2019 when her rendition of Laura Branigan’s “Self-Control,” produced by Grammy Award winners Damon Sharpe and Eric Sanicola, soared to the #1 spot on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart—even outperforming the original.
Since then, Kendra has continued her rise with magnetic tracks like “Body Language,” which climbed to #2 on the iTunes Chart, hit #3 on the UK Music Week Pop Chart, racked up over 2 million YouTube views, and received national airplay across iHeartRadio and MTV’s Spankin’ New. Her creative momentum didn’t stop there—her lush reimagining of Frank Sinatra’s “Witchcraft,” in collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson and Myron McKinley, earned the Best Producer/Production award at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards.
Kendra’s 2023 dance hit “Thriller Killer” quickly became a fan favorite, gathering over 1.2 million views on YouTube, gaining airplay on MTV, and reaching #2 on the UK’s Music Week commercial pop club chart. Her powerful live performances have placed her onstage with icons like Jason Derulo, Shannon, LaBouche, and Aqua, while headlining events like NYC’s Tea Dance, part of the annual Gay Pride celebration.
Most recently, her global influence has been honored with the title of Goodwill Ambassador of China during Lunar New Year 2025, awarded by the Hollywood Global Film Festival® and Shenzhen Fire-Saints Film & Television Culture Co., Ltd., celebrating her commitment to spreading well-being and happiness through music.
From her roots in Boca Raton, Florida, to her creative hub in Los Angeles, Kendra Erika is not just climbing the charts—she’s crafting a legacy. What follows is a deeper look into the voice, vision, and passion behind the music.
What’s a moment in your life that completely changed the way you approach music?
A few years ago, when I was working with a group of writers on a song called “Lay It On Me”. I had just wrapped up the song with them, and after us putting some real, meaningful thoughts and lyrics into the song, the writers quickly jumped into another room to then pump out writing songs for big-name mainstream artists. I caught wind of what they were working on, and the lyrics were very fast food, throwaway, and generic, that it signified in me to continue on my path of making more thought-provoking music lyrically. So, it didn’t really change my approach to music, it just changed the importance of sticking to the course.
When you’re alone, what kind of music do you listen to that might surprise your fans?
I’m actually a big fan of saxophonists, and music like Enya.
Was there ever a time you considered quitting music? What pulled you back in?
I have considered it quite a few times throughout the years. There was always something opportunistically that presented itself to me that pulled me back in.
What’s a lyric you’ve written that still gives you chills—and why?
Not so much a single lyric, but “Point To The Sky” still gives me those chills. I wrote it about 8 years ago, and the whole song’s message predicted most of what was to come for the world within the span of that time period from then and now.
How do you handle the pressure to constantly perform and stay relevant in such a fast-paced industry?
What’s one song you wish you wrote, and what would you have done differently with it?
I wish I had written “Bohemian Rhapsody.” I would have made it a little busier.
If your discography told a story, what would the plot be?
A resilient plot, with an elevating progression.
How do you know when a song is “finished”? Or is it never really done?
When you get that Home Alone feeling like you’ve left Kevin at home, that’s when you know you need to go back and get him.
What’s one misconception people have about you as an artist?
One misconception about me as an artist is that I’m solely just a dance artist. Where in reality, I’m classically trained and can perform and embody jazz standards and songs of an older era. Which is a style and sound, I’m looking forward to doing more of in the near future.
If you could create your dream collaboration—alive or not—who would it be and what would the song sound like?
I’d love to collaborate with 2Cellos on something. That new age classical edge and instrumentation would be spectacular to explore.
Tell our readers where they can follow you and find your music and music videos.
On my website, www.kendraerika.com.
Kendra Erika is living proof that greatness isn’t just built on talent. It’s built on fearless reinvention, global connection, and an unwavering dedication to the craft. Her journey from local stages to international recognition, from reinventing dance classics to collaborating with music royalty, shows us exactly what happens when purpose meets power.
As she continues to set trends, break barriers, and uplift hearts worldwide, one thing is clear—Kendra Erika is far from finished, and neither are we.
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