Karlie Redd is no stranger to all things media and entertainment. After the release of her #1 hit single “Werk” the star talks more about her latest musical venture.
In July of 2012, Redd released her debut single “A Girl Has Needs” on iTunes. In October of 2018, she announced her EP “Ferrari Karlie”, which then was released as a single in the summer of 2019. Most recently, the artist released her newest single titled “Werk” featuring legendary dancehall artist Spice, and ‘Gyalis’ singer Capella Grey. The song has developed over thousands of streams in the 1st week since its release and charted #3 on the iTunes chart, and now has peaked its way into #1 on the charts! The tune is a Caribbean vibe which honors her Trinidadian background, followed by Spice’s raunchy lyricism, and topped with Grey’s R&B touch. Redd tells us all about the creation of the song from the beginning, getting signed, the production of both the song and music video, and ongoing plans for her musical career. After the interview, the artist also talked about her other accomplishments in businesses like her stores in Atlanta, restaurants, giving back to her community, and her love for Ghana as one of her favorite vacation getaways!
Here’s more on the multi-talented Karlie Redd and on her recent single Werk:
The Knockturnal: Your song went number #1 on the charts. Congratulations! Talk to us about how that made you feel in the moment.
Karlie Redd: Oh, my gosh, you can tell by the video how I felt! Everyone knows that. I’ve been trying to do this for like, many, many years. I really went into a bad depression. But I kept making music. I didn’t give up. But, I just wouldn’t put anything out. I got so many songs. It felt really good to prove it to myself, and to prove it to everyone else.
The Knockturnal: Talk us through the process and the production of making the song.
Karlie Redd: So like I said, I never gave up. I just kept going to the studio, it took me a while, the comments made me depressed but, I just never gave up. I’m at this label called Legacy Records. And they were like, “We’re looking for new talent”. And I was like, “Well, can I play some of my joints for you?” And they were like, “Wow, okay, you have a lot of nice songs.” I got songs with a lot of different artists that I have not put out, ever. I don’t know if it’s because I’m scared or what. But then they were like, okay, and they signed me! That was my first time saying, “Okay, you can do it.” Then, I went to producers Johnny Blaze and Stadic, they’ve done a lot of the hits coming out of the Caribbean. They were like, they’re gonna help me with my albums. And then of course, my bestie Spice, I went to her and said I want to do a record with her, and she was saying, it gotta be perfect! The first recording, I didn’t like. She agreed. The second one, I still didn’t like but she liked it.
Karlie Redd: We kept recording and then I hit up Capella, and I’m like, “We need R&B.” When we finally found the right record, I was like “We need an R&B touch on this. I hit up two people that do reggae music, but are still in the American scene. One of them told me that they were going to do it, but didn’t. And the other one was Capella. Capella was like “No problem”, and gave whatever he needed to make it happen. I kept playing around with the song and trying to figure out what works. Having all of my team and people that don’t rock with me listen to it, that’s what counted the most! When people that don’t like me listened to it, and they didn’t know that it was me? That’s how I was like “Cool!”
The Knockturnal: Since you’ve mentioned both Spice and Capella Grey, how was collaborating with them on the song?
Karlie Redd: After I picked Capella Grey on the song, at first I didn’t like his hook. I was like, “Bro, you gotta give me a better hook!” So I really, kind of, put the song together as far as his hook. Spice, didn’t like one of my other verses. So I put another verse on it. It was just — it was madness! You have no idea. It was madness! [Laugh]. The producer got mad at me. He’s like, “Yo, if you switch this record up one more time, I’m gonna be so mad at you! You’ve taken off all your verses. I’m gonna kill you!” And I was just like, No, this is the way I want it to be. I don’t care what people say. That’s where I want it to be. So I feel like it’s our record. I don’t even look at it as just “my record”. I feel like it’s me, Spice and Capella’s record. We’re a team, and we did this!
The Knockturnal: Tell me your favorite part about making the video and even the song?
Karlie Redd: My favorite part was making the video! I’ve done videos with Video God. Video God has done like everybody’s videos! I went to someone that’s been in the business for over 30 years. And I’m like, “Yo, you gotta give me something hot bro!” And he was like, “Don’t worry, I got you.” I told him that I wanted to film it in Vegas, while Spice was there for her Grammy. I was like, I know she’s gonna think I’m crazy! Because why am I trying to film a music video during the greatest moment in her life? Like, yo! I literally tried to film a music video on my bestie’s greatest moment of her life like she’s getting nominated for a Grammy and I’m like, “We also got to do a video while you’re here girl!” [Laugh]
The Knockturnal: Wow! [Laugh], Two birds one stone!
Karlie Redd: Right! But she was like, “Oh, you’re crazy! How are you gonna get a video done in two days?” I said, “Watch what I do.” I did the Usher! “Watch this!” [Laugh] And literally got it done in like a couple of days, Thank God! Capella came, we got it done.
The Knockturnal: Were there any challenges at the moment? Did anything fall apart? Or would you say it was smooth sailing?
Karlie Redd: Oh there were so many challenges! Are you kidding me? I was not happy fumbling my own music video [Laugh]. I was so scattered because I wanted everything to be perfect. I felt like I wasn’t letting the director do his job. I was just like, “I gotta take over!” I was on top of him, he’s like, “Karlie get off of me! Let me, do me!” [Laughs]
The Knockturnal: And as we know, you are a Trini gal! What are some artists that you’ve listened to growing up?
Karlie Redd: As I grew up, I started listening to Machel Montano. I love me some Fay-Ann, That’s my girl. I love Bunji Garlin. I love them all! I want to do a Soca song so bad! But my producer, he’s like, “No, Karlie, you’re not gonna tap into that” I’m like, “Let me tap in!” [Laugh] It’s really hard to find your niche, but I think I finally found it.
The Knockturnal: Did any of the artists that you’ve listened to inspire or influence the song you’ve made? Or the sound that you say you’ve finally found?
Karlie Redd: Lady Saw definitely did! She influenced my sound, and I’ve always been a person that is free with my sexuality. I’ve always been free-spirited. I’ve always been like, “Hey, you know what?” I know I’m a woman, but it’s okay to talk about things that no one would talk about.”
The Knockturnal: Yes, Lady Saw is definitely an icon!
Karlie Redd: I love some Spice too. Don’t get it twisted!
The Knockturnal: What would you say is next for your musical journey slash career after this?
Karlie Redd: I have a lot of songs with artists and now it’s just to perfect and figure out what’s going to be my second single. I already have two that I know are gonna be my second single.
The Knockturnal: Since you’ve mentioned singles, how about albums?
Karlie Redd: Yeah! After I push my second single. I have tons of songs. I can literally put out so many albums right now. But I’m gonna put out an album, for my contract with the record label.
The Knockturnal: How about performances, tours? How’s that looking?
Karlie Redd: So right now I’m on a promo tour. I always go support my girl Spice. But, to actually be on the stage with her and actually do my song? That’s like a blessing! I have been doing choreography. I’ve been whining my waist; you know, practicing like, every week, so I’m not gonna let anyone down.
Werk is out now and available on all streaming platforms. To keep up with Karlie Redd, be sure to follow her on Instagram at @Iamkarlieredd.
