Today we’d like to introduce you to Emerald Khan.
Hi Emerald, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I got my first check for performing in 200 at a place called the Bohemian Tavern in Washington DC. I graduated High School in Washington DC where I attended Duke Ellington School for the performing arts in 2002. I started touring right out of school singing jazz & modeling under the leadership of Mr. John Blassingame & Marcus Johnson. When I started my family & had my son, Jovan we moved out here to Dallas to be closer to my mother Ericilda & her husband Keith Coleman. My family is huge & we’re everywhere!! St.Croix, USVI, Florida, New York, California, Washington etc but it made more sense for us to move to Texas. I wanted to raise a southern gentleman.
As soon as I got to Dallas I started singing with Linny Nance & the Network & acting with the Sankofa Players taking direction from Willie Minor. I found Sandaga 813 while in college; “Uncle” Darryl had all the greatest artists, singers, musicians in one place & I was so grateful to be apart this magical experience. That’s actually where I met my musical mentor Liz Mikel & my vocal coach Damon Clark. My community presence continued to grow as I began volunteering at the African American Museum in the Sankofa Theatre program & at the Dallas International Street Church with the ROC (Restoring Our Communities) ministry, & the Dallas Weekly.
While networking & performing I met producers & engineers along the path & started recording as an independent. I recorded in DC a few times but this time I got to use my own name & wasn’t just another voice. I got to start owning, publishing & distributing music with my own name, Emerald Khan. Things kept growing once I met Snoop Robinson. He gave me the opportunity to act in films & put my original music in films.
I haven’t stopped writing, performing, recording, filming & continue developing my network by partnering with Sage, the creator of the Artist Connect App, which for independent artists, like me, is like having a manager in your pocket to help with booking & auto generates a P&L statement at the end of the year to help with taxes. I love this tool because no matter the artistry you can connect, support & book each other through the app as well. For example if I need a band, make up artist or stylist, I can book them through the app. So, the app keeps track of the profits I made from the booking as well as the expenses that help me put the show together.
I’m grateful for my community because without them I wouldn’t be talking to you about my career & where it is today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth or easy. I achieved all of my accomplishments while working Full-Time, Part-Time, Contracts, putting myself through undergrad & earning my MBA as a single mom.
I’ve dealt with a significant injury leaving me with the loss of hearing on my right side, the murder of my son where the city lacked a proper investigation so no one was held accountable, financial issues, family drama over unnecessary things and the list will go on & on for personal adversities.
In the music business, there are a TON of scammers & people that will take advantage of creatives. As a woman, some guys will use that as their pivot to help but trust me ladies, it’s a scam, they are liars. Dont ever hook up with someone who does not genuinely support or believe in your talent or gifts. Music business 101. Your intuition will tell you the truth always, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right. Keep it tight & focus on your work. I’ve had my share of all of the things in my years as an artist & yet I’m still pushing forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most known for my singing. I don’t have 1 genre or style. I’m a mix of Jazz, Blues, R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, & Inspirational music. If the sound or lyrics are in my heart I know it was placed there by God & it’s therefore it’s my job to breathe life into them & share them with others. Technology is super helpful because my music is on every platform you can think of where you can find music like Apple, Spotify, Amazon Prime heart, Tidal, deezer & so so many more. I’m able to work with producers & creators everywhere.
Working in film as an actress has helped me expand that network & reach by placing my music in films that can be seen on BET+, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Tubi & more.
I’ve graced the stage for so many amazing people such as Sheila Johnson & the White House Correspondents Pre-Dinner Reception & surrounding events for 8 years & 3 presidential terms non-consecutively. I’ve performed for word leaders at embassies, private events, sporting events, corporate events, weddings, funerals, non-profits, big stage, small stage you name the event I’ve likely done something along those lines.
What sets me apart from others is when people ask who my manager or agent is or how did I book these events? The answer is simple. God is; He blessed me with an amazing network of people that have allowed my music to travel the world to hundreds of active listeners who I absolutely love hearing how my music has touched their lives & I actively interact with them. Along this journey mentoring young artists to pursue their dreams and watching them soar is the best feeling ever.
Sankofa teaches us to go back & give your community what you’ve learned & I actively practice that. I actively give my time & any resources to ensure that my community thrives as much as I possibly can.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Yes, the biggest risk I took is believing in myself & this dream in my heart, this music, especially when no one else did, when there was no support. Trusting God with everything is not always easy but He clearly knows what He is doing.
There are so many people who kept telling me that I needed to dress like this or look like that, sing this way not that way but I believed that by maintaining the brand & sound image that God placed in me, it would somehow work itself out.
Working independently is not easy, finding a solid producer that believes in your sound is not easy especially when you’re multi-genre such as myself. But as long as I keep believing in that dream, I know things will align the way it is intended to with my purpose when the time is right. Everything in my life works in God’s timing & I’ve been able to do a lot of great things so far; I have no doubt what’s to come next will be even greater as long as I keep following His direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linqapp.com/emerald_khan?r=link
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicalemerald
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emeraldkhan
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musicalemerald
- Twitter: https://x.com/musicalemerald
- Other: https://artistconnect.app/EmeraldKhan
Image Credits
Getty Image by Paul Morigi
