Khary Laurent (also known as K. F. Jacques) is a classical singer and hip hop producer. He has been featured on the Rosie Show aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, various television and radio networks, and has toured the U.S. and Europe.
Currently Mr. Laurent is the head composer and playing the role of Figaro in The Rosina Project which is the “hip hopera version of The Barber of Seville” with a cast of talented rappers, dancers, singers, a beatboxer, and a dj. The Rosina Project was included in The Pivot Arts Festival two years in a row, featured on ABC 7 News, Chicago SunTimes, and The Chicago Tribune, and thrice received a grant for a citywide summer tour of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks. His latest composition, “Telekinetik” was commissioned by Catapult Opera and featured cameos of his octogenarian Haitian born father immersed in SciFi elements to explore the themes of violence and bravado in today’s society. Previously, "L'Assassino", was a hip hop opera film commissioned by Resonance Works Pittsburgh which explores the backstory of Verdi’s famous villain Sparafucile. During the pandemic, Chicago Fringe Opera commissioned "Corsair" for The Decameron Opera Coalition's "Tales From A Safe Distance". Corsair debuted to rave reviews and was awarded Best New Local Opera Production in The Chicago Reader, Best Music Video by the Aladerri International film fest, among other film awards.
Mr. Laurent was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. He holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. His most recent roles include Tom in Fizz n Ginger with Chicago Fringe Opera, and the title role in Don Giovanni with Fargo Morehead Opera.
