YOung moon on the track
Queens artist Kelly Moonstone (formerly known as The Afr0dite) embodies the spirit of Music. Seriously, what more do you need? She can sing and vocalize with the best of them, she can bring your song together with a beautifully written hook, or she can provide the soundscape for your latest track. Kelly Moonstone wears her emotions on every song we get, and it’s that same vulnerability that connects her to her audience. With three projects under Kelly’s belt, each encompassing a variety of sounds, her versatility is on display every time you press play. Now’s the time to get hip to the gifted prodigy as she’s been working through the year and has more on deck for us.
Kelly was destined to be heavily involved in music as she was immersed in the culture from an early age. The young prodigy discovered, experimented and had a natural talent for engaging with the art. Between playing the piano and guitar along with singing in the children’s choir, Kelly Moonstone’s breadth of music continued to expand. “I was always better at playing by ear and doing my own thing than note-reading,” Moonstone says. While this is all going on, Moonstone’s sister is putting her onto acts like Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Phonte and others, all of which became her main influences. From there the rest is history, lead roles in choir during her middle school years, singing for fashion shows during her high school years, The Afr0dite was performing everywhere. It wasn’t until she was 16 that she stepped into a studio for the first time. “I fell in love with the process of creating and began to do it as a hobby,” Moonstone recalls. “I didn’t put anything out until my very first EP “All That Glitters” when I was about 18-19, that’s when I knew I could see this becoming my life.”
The second you press play on any of Kelly’s music you’re immediately met with a sense of peace. In the loud, hustle and bustle of everyday life, she causes you to slow down and to feel the moment. “I would hope anyone who listens to my music feels refreshed, calm, and maybe even a bit aroused,” Kelly says. The combination of her upbringing in music and versatility in the space all came together in her debut full-length album “Afr0diaries” which was released in 2018 under her previous moniker. The album was created out of actual entries from The Afr0dite’s diary. The tracks tell stories of love, heartbreak and fear of the future all crafted from Kelly’s personal experiences and reflection of those experiences. Not even a few months after “Afr0diaries” she followed up with another EP called “Perpetual Summer” and another called “To Finally Let Go”, fueled by “those warm days enjoying all that NYC had to offer”. She's recently appeared on Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon and Navy Blue's joint album, "Beautifully Black". on two tracks, "Telfar & Karl Kani" and "Tried Your Best"
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
As we head into 2022, Kelly Moonstone continues to invest in her career. Her popularity continues to ascend and her peers are taking notice. Collaborations with producers from all over the nation along with a number of press clips from outlets like The Demo Tape, My Little Underground Podcast and more, Kelly Moonstone’s name is becoming a household one. That said she’s in no rush, “I am taking the steps to invest in my career, but still pacing myself...I want my next release to have an impact,” Moonstone says. With this in mind, she promises that an EP is coming soon!.
​
​
