Sydney’s KLP, aka Kristy Lee Peters, is a 4 x ARIA nominee, producer and former triple j broadcaster. Her newest hit single features Ru Paul’s Drag Race USA contestant and superstar drag queen, LaLa Ri.
Drag culture has come a long way. No longer confined to the sweaty walls of LGBTQI+ clubs in the AM, it is fast becoming entertainment for the masses.
Australian drag queen Karen from Finance puts it best in the introduction to her drag-cabaret, “Yummy”, “Raise your hand if you’ve never seen a drag show before. Welcome to the 21st century, arseholes.”
So, when did drag transition from a niche to mainstream interest? World of Wonder was the TV production company that first put RuPaul’s Drag Race on the map in 2009. The result? 11 seasons of hopeful drag queens “lip syncing for their lives”, leaving one glorious queen to reign triumphant. This is where KLP first discovered track collaborator, LaLa Ri.
KLP tells Women in Pop, “I’m a huge Drag Race fan,I have been for years and years.”
Adding,
“I saw LaLa Ri on the show and I honestly don’t remember exactly what it was, but I just really liked her energy. She’s just super multi-talented, she can dance, she can sing, and she’s also really funny and has a great voice.”
A Celebration of Drag
The bombshell pair team up to bring you an addictive dance banger, ‘Eat The Runway’. The track features LaLa Ri on vocals with KLP running the production, inviting listeners into a celebration of drag culture.
KLP says “The day LALA RI’s vocals dropped into my inbox and I opened them up in Ableton I was one happy human. LALA exudes so much energy and joy – it’s infectious – and I feel so lucky to be able to work with such a multi-talented queen.”
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, LaLa Ri lays it bare on this track. The multifaceted artist showcases her ability to deliver some smile-inducing mammoth energy. She explains in the single’s press release,
“working with KLP has been such an honour. She is an amazing individual and artist, so I’m definitely happy to be sharing such a moment with her.”
LaLa Ri wants fans to remember her as a “great entertainer with an impeccable work ethic, and as someone who touched hearts through her performance”.
She surely delivers this and more throughout this performance, demonstrating her versatility as a performer and artist.
A Rising Star
KLP’s two prior singles, in collaboration with Stace Cadet, include the epic hit singles ‘Energy’ and ‘People Happy’. KLP and Medium Rare Recordings have recently announced her signing to the Australian tastemaker label, sharing,
“We’ve worked with KLP on some amazing records, and always considered her part of the MRR family, but we’re stoked to have her officially signed and can’t wait for everyone to hear her new single and everything we’ve been working on together.”
The release of ‘Energy’ sees the producer reach new heights, already nominated for Best Dance Release at the ARIA Awards. It charts at #21 in triple j’s Hottest 100 and is ultimately accredited ARIA Platinum status.
For the second year running, KLP has added two ARIA nominations to her name, with ‘People Happy’ being nominated for Best Dance Release, and her work with Diver City nominated for Best Children’s Album.
The formidable producer has worked alongside the likes of Skrillex, What So Not, and Slumberjack. In addition, she’s collaborated with major brands such as NIKE, Spotify, and has interviewed popular artists including Mark Ronson across her career.
KLP has a lengthy history of mentoring and working with young singers and songwriters looking to break into the industry. She works across a variety of projects as an APRA AMCOS in addition to starting her own not-for-profit Ricochet; a mentor program aimed at female and non-binary artists to help kickstart their careers.
“Eat The Runway feat LaLa Ri” exemplifies two masters of their craft connecting with the LGBTQI+ community. The track is out now via Medium Rare Recordings.
Check out the clip below:
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