Keisha came to the attention of Warner Brother Records after her luscious vocals featured on Paul Oakenfold’s ‘The Harder They Come’
and Desert Eagle Disc’s ‘Bigger Better Deal.’ Hearing the huge buzz her vocal was generating, Warners invited Keisha to their offices, where she overwhelmed the assembled audience by performing a live acoustic set.
Warner quickly seized the opportunity and immediately signed the prodigious talent.
Having been born to a professional soul-singing mother, the young singer has been surrounded by music since birth. First performing onstage at one of her mum’s concerts, (she was just 8 at the time!) Keisha
found her calling early and became instantly hooked on the live experience. Over the next nine years she carefully honed her craft, working on expanding her range and perfecting her song writing skills. Whether performing onstage at the Royal Albert
Hall as part of Westminster Arts, or forming her own band, K.Rell’m, music has been a central part of Keisha’s life. “Its like I knew about music since I came onto this earth,” explains Keisha. “When
I’m singing, whether it’s live or in the studio, I go totally into my world; Keisha’s world.”
Keisha is clearly well on her way to the next level. In 2004 Keisha continued to provide the theme tune to popular BBC drama Tracey Beaker as well as performing a guest role in the last series. She
also wowed audiences across the UK whilst on tour with Jamelia, Black Eyed Peas and most recently Lemar. During this time soft release ‘Watcha Gonna Do’ received massive
press support and led to Keisha being championed as the ‘One to Watch’ by the likes of Sunday Times Magazine, Saturday Telegraph, Dazed & Confused, DJ, OK Hotstars, Bliss, Blues & Soul and Touch magazine.
Keisha went on to be nominated for an Urban Music Award (Best R&B Act) and even found the time to fly out to Hollywood to appear in Halle Berry’s
Catwoman movie; a role she was personally recommended for by none other than Alicia Keys. It was during this trip that Keisha caught the eye of sensational US rapper Cassidy, which has resulted in the pair
collaborating on her infectious new single ‘Don’t Care Who Knows’.
Keisha has also finished recording her debut album, which will be released early next year. For this, Keisha teamed up with an amazing list of writers and: US producer Scott Storch (Dr Dre,
Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson), writer Balewa Muhammad (Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera) together with Storch, Marko Rakascan (Maxwell) and Lucas Secon (P. Diddy, Tweet,
Sugababes).
Keisha insists “We didn’t set out to make a typical R&B album because that’s been done and it’s being done. I don’t want to be just another R&B artist. I’m just being
me, I’m not trying to mimic anybody.” Effortlessly alternating between a searing soprano and a honey-drenched alto, Keisha’s sweeping range is guaranteed to get jaws dropping. “Singing to me just seemed to happen so
naturally. I don’t know where my voice came from, I just know I’ve always been able to sing and over the years it’s developed,” she says simply.
Keisha boasts a talent tailor-made for something almost lost in today’s over-produced, saturated market - quality music teamed with an overwhelming passion for her art. Being brought up around the sounds of
vintage soul has taught Keisha the importance of excellence. “I call them the 3 As – Aretha Franklin, Aaliyah and Anita Baker,” proclaims Keisha of her musical mentors. “I learnt from these singers how important
it is that music should be distinctive. Whether their CDs were played 20 years ago, today or in 2010, they’re timeless. That’s what I’m trying to do - make my music last forever. I want to help bring back something that has been
almost lost for so long - great singing, live instrumentation and first-rate songs.”
Needing no massive hype or huge fanfare, Keisha White is getting ready to take the music world by storm. “Sometimes this doesn’t feel real, it’s almost like a fantasy because it’s been
my dream for so long,” she enthuses. “When I’m at home with my family is when I get time to reflect on everything that’s happening and then I’ll also think how I can improve things or make them better.
I’m always looking to be able to do better. It’s so rare that people can live their dreams so I’m going to make the most of my dreams, whatever happens.”
Remember, dreams can come true and for Keisha White, they clearly already are.
Keisha White’s debut album will be released on 7 th March 2005 and will be preceded by her stunning new single ‘Don’t Care Who Knows’ featuring critically acclaimed US rapper
Cassidy on 21 st February. |
