"I used to be afraid of my voice," says 25-year-old singer, songwriter Keishera. The raspy alto grew up listening to singers like Whitney Houston and, sometimes, felt insecure about her own voice. However, after being exposed to Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman and Anita Baker, she was inspired and even more determined to share her passion and voice with the world.
Keishera does not sound like your average pop diva, and that may be the reason behind the praises she’s been getting from fans and fellow artists; or it could be that she has an amazing presence – partly due to her voluptuous, 5feet 11inch frame and perfect cheekbones as well as a fun, down-to-earth, anything-goes personality. When international reggae star Shaggy first heard Keishera sing at his recording studio in Jamaica, he was drawn in by her melodious voice. He later collaborated with the Jamaican born songstress on the hit single "Feels Right".
Keishera James grew up in St. Catherine, Jamaica. At age eleven, she migrated to Brooklyn, New York with her single mother. She attended Cunningham Junior High and Canarsie High School. Keishera and her mother struggled through a strained relationship, leading the rebellious 16-year-old to move out and live on her own. While still in high school, Keishera worked as a waitress and model to make ends meet. She made appearances in Essence magazine, Heart and Soul magazine, numerous runway shows and an ad for IMAN cosmetics.
Despite the heartaches and major setbacks, Keishera graduated from high school and began to put herself through college. During her freshman year at New York Technical College, Keishera's gift of songwriting began to emerge. "When I was living on my own, I didn't have a radio…a TV…nothing," she recalls. "I was just renting a room somewhere. I was really feeling bad about my life, but I found comfort in writing down my feelings and experiences and putting music to it.”
Hard-times and financial difficulties forced the teenager to drop out of college, but she held on to dreams of sharing her voice with the world. Keishera landed a few local singing gigs including a brief stint with the New York-based band, Burnt Sugar – founded by Village Voice journalist Greg Tate. Subsequent run-ins with legendary icons Maya Angelou and Patti Labelle, who both encouraged Keishera to stay focused on her dream, further convinced the rising talent that she was on the right path. In 1999, Keishera, under the management of David Passick (who was behind the careers of Maxwell and Herbie Hancock), formed her own band and performed at venues like CB's Gallery, Joe's Pub and S.O.B's. The band separated the following year, and Keishera moved on to Paris and London where she recorded songs and practiced different musical styles. She then returned to her roots in Jamaica and began writing and releasing a series of independent singles. She recorded the acoustic tune "So Good" with producer Mr. G aka "Goofy." The song was played on local Jamaican radio stations. Shortly afterward, Keishera met Shaggy through a mutual friend. The meeting led to the creation of the Klymaxx rhythm-based "Feels Right," which was an instant hit in Jamaica and Europe in 2005. "Feels Right" was followed by the single "Cry No More," an anti-domestic abuse tribute which she co-wrote with Jamaican hit maker Christopher Birch. Currently, Keishera is hard at work on her debut album. And while this star-in-the-making hopes to open minds with her unique vocals and reggae-soul fusion, ultimately, she just wants to make good music. "I'm most happy when I'm singing," she smiles. "I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. I really have something to say to people through song. This is a calling."
Come Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Tony Rock & The Social Butterflys at Recess (The Social Playground for Adults) @ Remedy Lounge 800 Wilshire Blvd Downtown!
Games & Drink Specials start at 9pm...Spades, Domineos, Wii, PS3, Connect 4, Uno, Taboo, Jinga and much more.
The best in R&B, Hip Hop and Neo Soul playing all night...To RSVP text 818.370.2465...Recess takes place every 1st & 3rd Tuesday!
i have 2 major events coming up in May and i wanted to give you some incite on who is performing. On May 9th On Wax is introducing Chanda rule, a Musical Arranger, Vocalist, and Drummer that will be gracing our stage that lovely evening. She has appeared in a variety of productions, from Shakespeare in the Park in New Jersey, to Hair, The Musical in Europe; sang with Victor Jones along side Mino Cinelu, Papo Vasquez and John Benitez; opened for India.Arie, Angela Bofill, and Amel Larrieux; and performed at various music festivals and venues such as Birdland, Le-Club Moscow, Hard Rock Café, and the Jazz Standard. Her talents are unmeasured within the context of Vocal clarity and control, and now she set her sites on On Wax to tell a story once told by the greats!!!!
May 16th On Wax is excited to present Jesse Boykins III to the stage. This young brotha has the elements necessary to captivate all he encounters with his raw and unique talent. His vocal/Musical arrangements has a remnants of R&B Soul, Jazz, and Ghetto Tech, making him the center of attraction for soulful Saturday evening. So don't miss your chance to experience this masterful singer/ entertainer @ his acme.
Im just stoppin by to drop some love on yo page! I hope you have a good day. Make sure you stop by the page to keep updated on whats happening with The Show Out Girlz!!
Yours Truely, Show Out p.s.- we are always looking for hot new faces . THE SHOW OUT GIRLZ ARE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING!!!
Hey hottness! what's good.I've been working really hard out here , and sometimes it get a little hard to keep it moving. But encouragement from a friend goes a long way, So if you would please got to my page and give me a call on my voice box. I'm one that is always there for my friends and do listen to what they have to say. oh and don't forget to leave your info on what your doing also, For I have alot of influential people that visits me often, and you may be what they are looking for. Oh and don't let my profile views fool you, I reset it often. That's not important to me, Just the right connection's are.
Thank you so much for joining our page. “Doin Me Sportswear” is a new innovative clothing line for the strong-beautiful-intellectual independent woman – On Tha Move! We are based in Brooklyn NY. More products are coming this year. Please let us know what you think of our productive clothing line…. Thank u..
We'll be holding RECESS the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
RECESS... the Social Playground for Adults! Hosted By Celebrity Comedian Tony Rock! @ Remedy Lounge, 800 Wilshire Blvd, Downtown Los Angeles. Tuesday 4/21 @ 9pm!!!
Hip Hop, R&B and Neo Soul, Wii, PS3, Connect 4, Dominoes, mingling, drink specials and so much more...
Would luv to see you there! For my guestlist or a VIP Access card textt me at 818.370.2465 or info@thesocialbutterflys.com
watup! just swaggin thru to show sum Landboy luv from ya favorite swagga! check out my new single I'm cold & follow up landboy shit(both produced by myself for Landboy Ent)! fa all the swaggettes check out independent 09'remix ft E Mo & Hardwork, u do ft E Mo(video on youtube)! leave comments what ya'll think! i respond to all no matter what! thanx for the support! keep swaggin'!-Flashy
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