Cassidy King

Over the past few years, singer-songwriter Cassidy King has built a devoted fanbase, thanks to her intensely personal, poignant lyricism and irresistible, pop-forward melodies. In her latest EP, Concrete Walls, King delves even further, delivering a moment of reckoning that only comes with deep self-reflection. In six lushly arranged songs, King examines the intricacies of relationships—with friends, past partners, and, most importantly, with herself. It certainly wasn’t easy for King to write these lyrics, despite her bold and thoughtful presence on social media. To many of her passionate followers, King is a confidant, a friend, and a radiant light. As a proud, queer woman, she offers a voice to those who are still finding the words to share their own stories. But what King’s fans may not know is that it took her a long time to find this self-assurance—and that they played a crucial part in empowering her to do so. Born and raised in Chardon, OH—a small, conservative town outside of Cleveland—King never thought that a career in entertainment could be a viable option. While she harbored a love for the performing arts, it wasn’t until she enrolled at Kent State University that she pursued music in earnest. A few months later, a video of King singing an impromptu, heartfelt song went viral—resonating with millions of viewers around the world. But just as the spotlight was beginning to shine on King, the 19-year-old was going through one of the most difficult periods of her life, as she struggled to come to terms with her sexuality. “I was taught to feel so wrong for who I am,” King shares. “It took a lot of time and patience to find the love for myself.” In 2019, with the release of her first music video, King found the courage to reveal her true self. The response was overwhelming for “Professional Smiler,” in which the artist kisses an on-screen girlfriend. “The messages that I got back were so validating—they really kept me going,” recalls King.