Kaylee Rose’s distinct blend of country and hip-hop influences are heard throughout her infectious new single “Wagon.” A sassy and anthemic track calling out the haters, “Wagon” mesmerizes with forward-thinking production and rapid-fire lyrics from Rose.
The Florida native penned “Wagon,” which Billboard premieres exclusively below, with Andy Scott Wills, Tori Tullier and Joe Tounge. The uptempo track was written from the perspective of a star looking back on her early days of struggle. “Told me no/ Now they’re front row,” she croons on the second verse.
“The inspiration for ‘Wagon’ came from a good friend who challenged me to write a song as if I had already ‘made it’ in the music industry,” Rose tells Billboard. “Although the lyrics come from my perspective, I think it could be relatable for anyone. People will always doubt your dreams, goals and passions until they start to watch you succeed. This song is a sassy and honest way of saying ‘look at me now.'”
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The country newcomer spent much of her childhood as a hip-hop dancer before she began performing around St. Augustine, Florida, in her teens. Upon relocating to Nashville in 2015, Rose played on Broadway several nights a week at Rock Bottom Brewery and The Row as well as worked at the Johnny Cash Museum. All the while, she set aside time in the writing room, where she’d channel her musical heroes Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain and Beyoncé.
“I say what most people think but don’t want to say out loud,” she says. “My music is me as a person. What you hear is what you get.”
Hear “Wagon” below.