Keshia Chante

Keshia Chante has been stomping through the underdeveloped Canadian urban music landscape since the delicate age of 6. She first started as a performer when she launched her career at a talent show for Black History Month at a local university in her native Ottawa. The granddaughter of a well known Portuguese songwriter, Keshia is of Trinidadian, Puerto Rican and Portuguese descent and her seemingly rapid rise to the top of the Canadian urban music charts since the age of 14, is by no means an overnight success story. Citing Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, Tupac Shakur and Stevie Wonder as influences, her journey began once she ignited her passion within.

Her first major break came at 13 when Keshia caught the attention of the Head of the A&R and International departments for BMG, Ivan Berry. “He called me up on the phone in Ottawa and he said he was part of a label and he wanted me to sing,” recalls Keshia. The vocal powerhouse blew the record executive away with her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky.” Once she closed the deal, Keshia’s rising career showed no sign of slowing down. Acknowledged as one of Canada’s most talented young artists, she wrote many of the songs on her 2004 debut. In 2005, Keshia took home a Juno Award, Canada’s Grammy equivalent, for Best R&B/Soul Recording. The previous year she racked up five hit singles topping the top 40 chart including “Unpredictable,” “Does He Love Me” and “Bad Boy,” in addition to five Canadian Urban Music Awards, including Best New Artist. Her video for “Bad Boy,” directed by Mr. X (Usher, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Nelly and G Unit) was added to BET solidifying Keshia’s appeal in her native Canada as well as introducing her in the States.

It’s no wonder that this demure, 18 year old, singer/songwriter is already somewhat of a rolling stone. Preparing to release her U.S. debut album Kiss, on Sony Urban/Epic Records in the U.S., Keshia stretched her time between New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto recording, while she continued to perform on tour with Destiny’s Child. Fully prepared for her transition to the US as a recording artist, Keshia explains “the experience of working almost 24/7 without suffering burnout, has helped me to better understand myself, both as an artist and as a business person.” This album represents who I am and what I’m going through. It ranges from first loves to first heartbreaks, from feeling vulnerable to strong and confident, there are different storylines, different moods,” Keshia proclaims.

Writing poetry since she was younger, Keshia always felt “weird” about putting her heart out there because opening up felt more like writing in a diary. As a songwriter, Keshia is inspired by everything, noting “everything and anything I get ideas about.” Making music is different. “I hear a beat – get an idea – whatever pops into mind immediately I roll with – melodies, they are the catchiest –then I put it together.”

The first single “Been Gone” takes a huge leap of faith in utilizing Concerto No. 4, marrying classical music and hip hop. According to Keshia, “you know when you hear something different you don’t really know how to take it in. That was my frame of mind when I first heard that track.” Having co-wrote on the Matrax produced single, it’s more than apparent that Keshia knows how to comfortably step outside of her comfort zone and maintain an open mind.

The title track “Kiss,” produced by the duo that gave Musiq Soulchild “Just Friends,” (Carvin “Ransum” Haggins and Ivan “Orthodox” Barias) Karma Productions, is everything young, relatable and innocent as the word implies. “This song was the one that really captured what the whole album was about – Just being really young, working at the mall, that whole relatable feel was captured in Kiss.”

Keeping her fans a priority is at the top of Keshia’s agenda. “I know what its like to be a diehard fan since I was 6 and a huge fan of Tupac Shakur. I know what its like to anticipate a new video and it’s not what you wanted it to be. So I understand what it’s like to have that kind of love for an artist, and when I think of my fans, I try and take everything to the next level. I try and push myself so they won’t be disappointed.”

An unlikely pairing occurs on “Fallen” when Philly words-worth Freeway lend his spitfire vocals to the midtempo track. Super-producer Rockwilder also lends his talents to Kiss on “Can’t Believe” and “Be About Yours,” which Keshia also co-wrote. And of the entire experience, the young, articulate diva is clear, “I’m lucky. I feel so fortunate. There are a lot of beautiful people that got on this record that I am happy to have worked with.”

“There’s something about a star, when you meet them, you can’t get them out of your system,” says Anton Marchand, VP, A&R, Sony Urban Music. “When she comes into a room, she lights it up. She’s already a star in Canada and soon she’ll be just that everywhere else as well. All you have to do is to get her album.”

In addition to Keshia’s singing and songwriting talents, the 5’2” exotic beauty recently landed a modeling contract with Ford Models. Having set her sights on a bright future, Keshia explains, “I’m extremely ambitious and I don’t like to take no for an answer. This is my whole life, this is what I do 24/7. This is what I love. I anticipate positive things because I feel like when you put out positive energy you’re going to get it in return. With God above, a great family and a great team, I think everything should work out pretty well.”