Bria Lee

Born Brianna Paolino in Rhode Island, the smoky-voiced singer-songwriter Bria Lee entered the recording arena in 2018 through her debut single, the trippy retro-contemporary R&B track “Purple Clouds.” Raised in a household that nurtured her emerging abilities from an early age, she relocated to New York following high school. There she enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music for piano studies and established herself as a vocalist within the local jazz community. Music took a backseat when she returned to Rhode Island to tend to her ailing father; once he passed, she honored his encouragement by resuming her career in New York. A showcase appearance secured her a deal with major-label Republic, which paired her with songwriters and producers Ari Kalimi and Corte Ellis. The three collaborators penned “Purple Clouds” together, weaving in a sample from Mr. Bungle’s “Goodbye Sober Day” to heighten its dreamlike atmosphere. Released that June, the song marked Paolino’s first single.