Just Announced: Val B. King, Granddaughter of BB King, to be the Opening Act at Kofi Boakye's Going-Away Concert
We are grateful to announce that Recording Artist Val B. King, Granddaughter of the King of Blues, BB King, will be the opening act for Akron Native and Emmy-Nominated Pianist Kofi Boakye’s highly-anticipated going-away concert performance held on August 9th at The Trailhead in North Akron, Ohio.
Val B. King is the granddaughter of the legendary King of the Blues, B. B. King. She recently finished her debut album and it is earning rave reviews. Val has a clear smooth sound that is soothing to listen to. She has been majorly influenced by gospel music, blues, jazz, neo-soul, soul, and R&B.
Val B. King grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, listening to her father sing in groups and at church. She would attend her grandfather’s concerts when he would perform in the Ohio area. Val always loved watching her grandfather on stage. She sang for him for the first time when she was 12 years old at a family reunion. Her grandfather lovingly referred to her as “his star” when he would see her. This was just the boost Val needed to set her eyes on pursuing music.
While in high school Val sang the national anthem at basketball and football games, she sang solos at choir concerts, and everyone began to know who this little girl was with the big voice. She went on to be in the BGSU Gospel Choir and led the choir as president her junior year.
After graduating from college, Val joined the gospel group Anointed One in Mansfield, OH. She travelled with the group and it was while in this group that she met producer Robert W. “JoJo” Hill. While living in Pittsburgh, PA, she had the chance to collaborate with JoJo Hill again. Soon after that she joined Jofula Music Group under the leadership of JoJo Hill. A major highlight of being a part of that group was the opportunity to be on stage with Byron Cage.
In 2015, Val B. King started her first professional musical project. Her grandfather was aware that she was moving full speed ahead in her music career. Val started in the studio in April of 2015, and unfortunately her grandfather passed away in May of 2015. Val visited with her grandfather in Las Vegas the day before he passed away. It was very unexpected and it took a toll on the entire family. Val got right back in the studio to put her pain into her lyrics.