Kiara Saulters, who is professionally known as Kiiara, released her debut single titled "Gold" on Oct. 26, 2015. Recently, the singer and songwriter from Oak Lawn, Illinois, revealed that rock band Linkin Park as well as Eminem and his "Best Friend" collaborator Yelawolf were among her musical influences.
In an interview with Fuse, Kiiara said she started listening to hip-hop music when she stumbled upon an Eminem CD in her living room. She said she was "instantly captivated" with the genre at the time.
According to Kiiara, rap music always keeps her attention because it is a story and it is like one big movie. She revealed that she could listen to whatever she wanted when she was growing up.
"There's no censor like, 'Oh, you can't listen to that' so I was listening to Eminem, Yelawolf, Linkin Park,'" Kiiara explained. "Like, I would listen to Linkin Park when I was five or something? It was just, 'Oh, this is cool!'"
Currently, Kiiara is signed to Atlantic Records. In 2013, she independently released an acoustic pop single titled "Bring Back."
In 2015, the Illinois singer's debut single "Gold" topped the charts not only in the United States. It also peaked at number 15 in Belgium, number 12 in Denmark and number five in Australia.
"Gold" is included on Kiiara's debut extended play titled "Low Kii Savage." Released on March 22, the EP also includes "Tennessee," "Feels," "Intention," "Say Anymore" and "Hang Up tha Phone."
Meanwhile, Linkin Park frontman recently talked about the 2000 album "Hybrid Theory." He told Metal Hammer that his band's debut album "kept metal alive" and for him, the phrase "integrity of metal" is "really funny".
In 2012, Linkin Park and Eminem recorded a collaborative song titled "In My Remains/Renegade." The song appeared from the EP "Collision Course II," which included 11 other songs.
On the other hand, Eminem and Yelawolf's collaboration song "Best Friend" was released on April 14, 2015. Watch the music video of the song here: