Biography

If you usually don’t listen to rap music that may change once you hear Kelly Glow. Her unique style is fun, funky and full of energy. Her lyrics are clear and easy to follow. Her universal style appeals to all ages.

Early Years

Kelly Glow was born at King Drew Medical Center in Watts, California. Growing up in South Central area of Los Angeles, she witnessed and experienced the typical challenges facing low income families in metro urban neighborhoods including: lack of resources, drugs, violence, and gang activity. Through the loving direction and guidance of her parents, she was able to avoid those pressures. Mirroring the story lines of famous movies like Boys N The Hood and Menace to Society, her family moved to Atlanta, GA in 1991.

While in Atlanta, Kelly attended Banneker High School in College Park, GA and then later transferred to North Atlanta School of Performing Arts. During those years, Kelly Glow danced with a crew called “The Wierdos” and rapped in a male/female duo group called “The Funky Twins.” The dance crew grew in popularity and they often took home top prizes at showcases and talent shows.

Music

Glow’s debut album, Ready for War, was released in 2002, spawning a guest appearance on the main stage at the ELCA National Youth Gathering at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA before a crowd of 20,000 people. Her sophomore album, Back to My Future, was released in 2015 garnering a Gospel Choice Award for Best Holy Hip Hop Artist that same year. Glow with Grace, her third project features a cover song of one of Martin Luther’s most popular hymns “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Her fourth release, Good Girl Bad World, highlights stories of how escaping from Compton has shaped her life.

Lately, Kelly Glow has been experimenting with creating a new sound. She calls it “Hip Pop” a fusion of Hip Hop and K-Pop. Kelly decided to reconnect with her roots in street dance allowing it to flow through her lyrical and musical expression. She is naturally a self-taught dancer.  When she was eight years old, she used to choreograph her own dance routines and teach them to the neighborhood kids. This new style of music showcases the full spectrum of her talent as a performing artist.

In 2017, Kelly Glow was featured on the cover of Living Lutheran Magazine making musical history. That year was the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation of the Church. In order to commemorate the celebration and with permission from Ausburg Fortress Publishers, Kelly Glow recorded the 1st ever hip-hop cover song of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” written by Martin Luther.

Kelly has earned a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Hip Hop Studies.  She is dedicated to preserving the original principles of Hip Hop as culture which are “Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun!”  Her mission in music is to simply be a light in this life which stems from the scripture Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see God’s good work in thee.”  Her fan club GLOW GANG stands for “God’s Leading Our Way, Go and Never Give Up.” Dr. Kelly Glow is a talented performing artist with a positive spirit, spreading love and light into the world.

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