K. Michelle is returning to her musical roots after decades in the R&B space. Over the years, Michelle has dabbled out of the genre, releasing tracks like “Tennessee” and “Jack Daniel’s.” Now, the Real Housewives of Atlanta newbie is fully focusing on where it all started: country music.

During an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, the singer announced that her first-ever country album, Jesus and Whiskey, will be released on October 16 via Real Outlawz Records. It will feature nine tracks. Michelle also delivered a live performance of the title track, “Jesus and Whiskey,” on the show. The single is described as “a passionate declaration of living on her own terms — all while pushing her sound even deeper into uncharted terrain.”

In 2024, Michelle shared that she had signed a new deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, giving the company exclusive licensing to release her latest project.

Over the years, the Memphis native has faced a few bumps on the road back to her first love. She has called out reporters for claiming she “didn’t grow up in country music” and has also spoken about the racial challenges she faced while breaking into the genre.

“I was told I could not sing country music because I was Black, but it was something I had always been doing and will continue to do,” she previously shared.