K. Michelle wins “Best New Artist” honor from Soul Train Awards

FAMU alumna Kimberly Michelle Pate, now best known by her performing name K. Michelle, won the “Best New Artist” honor at the 2013 Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas.

Actor Bill Bellamy and actress Vivica A. Fox presented the Memphis-native with her statute, a replica of the iconic Soul Train locomotive.  

Pate thanked her parents, Atlantic Records, and especially her fans for all of their support.

“I want to thank you rebels for just having my back,” she said during her acceptance speech. “A lot of people counted me out. This is a second chance for me. I have to say I’m so grateful.”

Shortly after receiving the award, Pate returned to the stage of the Black Entertainment Television (BET)-produced event to perform her hit single “V.S.O.P.”

Pate enrolled at FAMU as a scholarship music student in 2000. She served as Miss Freshman Attendant 2000-2001 and was a member of the FAMU Connection and the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Pate also won the Miss Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University election during the spring semester of 2003 but was wasn't able to serve in the position due to circumstances that forced her to take time off from school. She graduated with a degree in psychology.

The FAMU alumna starred on VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” reality television show for two seasons in 2012 and 2013. She is currently a cast member of “Love and Hip Hop (New York).”