Keshia Chanté (pronounced /ki.ʃə.ʃɑËn.teɪ/ key-sha-shawn-tay) (born Keshia Chanté Harper on June 16, 1988) is a Canadian Juno Award-winning critically acclaimed, singer, songwriter, model, and actress2. She signed to BMG Music Canada at the age of 1434 and as a result has released 2 major successful albums, and released 10 hit singles in Canada.5
Chanté has been honoured with many awards and nominations, such as "Best New Artist" at the Canadian Radio Awards and Urban Music Awards, as well as "Video of the Year", "Fans Choice" and "Sexiest Female Artist".6
She is best known as the Canadian "Princess of Pop"78 for 8 of her #1 radio hits, such as, "Shook (The Answer)", "Unpredictable", "Bad Boy", "Does He Love Me", "Let The Music Take You", "Ring The Alarm", "Been Gone" and "2U".
She is known in the U.S. for her "Bad Boy" video that was in heavy rotation on BET,9 her guest appearance in Bow Wow & Chris Brown's "Shortie Like Mine" video and media attention surrounding her personal life.
Chanté is scheduled to portray the late singer Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic and is currently working on her third album The Vendetta slated for spring 201010. In 2004, Her resemblance to the late singer was noted and discovered by Missy Elliott.1112
Biography
1988–2003: Early life
Keshia Chanté was born in Ottawa, Ontario and she went to St. Peter Catholic High School and then moved to a suburb of Toronto,13 Brampton, Ontario at the age of 14. Her father is of Trinidadian descent and her mother is of Portuguese and Puerto Rican descent.1
The first hint of Chanté's talent came at a very early age, when she began singing along to a tape her mother was playing on a car stereo. Soon after that, when Chanté was six, her mother signed her up to perform rapper Tupac Shakur's "Dear Mama" at a Black History Month event at Ottawa's Carleton University. Her mother taught her to be comfortable in front of a camera by videotaping her. Chanté recalled to the Ottawa Citizen.14
Chanté continued performing at her school talent shows in eastern suburb of Orleans, where she attended St. Peter's Catholic high school. One person who noticed her talents was Ottawa DJ Trevor Mason, who sent a tape of Chanté's singing to BMG Canada executive Ivan Berry.
Eight years later when Chanté was 14, Berry called her at home and asked her to sing something into the receiver of the phone. Not really aware of who he was, she launched confidently into the R. Kelly hit "I Believe I Can Fly." Her phone performance earned her an in-person audition with label executives in Toronto, and for that one performance Chanté felt nervous. She apparently did well, though, for she soon had a contract with the label. One factor that worked in her favor was her sound resemblance and driven attitude to former star Beyoncé which had earn Chanté the title "Baby Beyoncé" by The Canadian Press.15
Chanté traveled to Toronto on weekends to begin recording for BMG Canada's Vikmusic imprint.5 In 2003 she and her mother moved to the Toronto suburb of Brampton so that she could be closer to Toronto's recording studios, but both mother and daughter were adamant that she stay in high school rather than dropping out or hiring a private tutor. She then attended Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School, and graduated as a straight-A student with her class in 2007.4
Chanté cites Beyoncé Knowles as her Idol16, along with R. Kelly17, Tupac Shakur13, Missy Elliott18, Aaliyah19, and Christina Aguilera20 as her early childhood musical influences. For fashion inspirations, Chanté cites Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace.21
2003-2005: Keshia Chanté
Chanté's first single revived the old pop genre of the answer song; her "Shook (The Answer)" was a response to "Shook," a recording by Toronto R&B star Shawn Desman. It was Desman who wrote much of the material on Chanté's debut album. "Shook (The Answer)" and another hit single, "Unpredictable," were included on Chanté's debut CD, Keshia Chanté, which was released in June of 2004. That month Chanté turned 16. The album, once released, spawned two more Canadian hits, the street-themed "Bad Boy" and a composition co-written by Chanté herself, "Let the Music Take You."
Her debut "Shook (The Answer)" appeared in early 2003. It was only meant to be a "buzz" single but it surprisingly broke into the Top 10 on Canadian music charts and won an Urban Music Award for "Best Pop/R&B Single".
For the follow-up, "Unpredictable" went #1 on both radio & video charts,6 she released her first video, which hit number one on YTV and the top ten on MuchMusic. In November 2003, the CD single of "Unpredictable" was certified gold. Because of that single, in 2003, she won the Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist". It also became the highest selling single in Canada and the only Canadian artist to do so, other than Shania Twain.
In early February 2004, Chanté's third single, "Bad Boy", was released. It was also successful, breaking the Top 5 on radio and becoming the #1 video on MuchMusic for 4 weeks. The video was directed by director Little X.22
Later, in June 2004, Chanté topped the charts again (Top 5) with the release of her fourth single "Does He Love Me?" ft. Foxy Brown which Chanté & Foxy Brown wrote and "Young Gav" (Foxy Brown's older brother) produced. The video was also directed by Little X and became #1 on MuchMusic for 3 weeks. The video also garnered her an Urban Music Video Award for "Video of the Year".
On June 22, 2004 Chanté released her debut album self-titled debut album. On December 3, 2004 it was certified gold. It contained her previous singles, as well as her later to be released fifth "Let the Music Take You" penned by Chanté. In October 2004, at the Canadian Urban Music Awards Chanté swept all three of nominations, winning awards for "Best New Artist", "Video of the Year" (for Bad Boy), "Fans' Choice Award" and by surprise taking home the "Rising Star of the Year" award.23 In that same month, she also sang the national anthem at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.6
In November 2004, Chante did her first American interview with BET's Rated Next24 and performed with Alicia Keys.25
In December 2004, Chante headlined Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for New Year's Eve.25
In February 2005, Chante won Chartattack Awards for "Best Album" and "Sexiest Female". During the same month, she was also selected to represent Canada at Expo 2005 held in Japan.
In July 2005, Chanté went on a cross Canada mall and venue tour sponsored by Solo Mobile (Bell), EckoRed and SPC sponsored Chante's tour across Canada which helped raise awareness for phone counseling service Kids Help Phone.
In September 2005, Chante performed on tour with Destiny's Child throughout Canada during there Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It tour, and is also included on the Destiny's Child Live In Atlanta Tour DVD.
In October 2005, Chante received four nominations at the Urban Music Awards.26
2006-2007: 2U
After her signing, Chanté moved to New York to begin working on her second album. During that time, Chanté was on Teen People Magazines "Rock The Runway" Mall Tour (where Ciara started) and Seventeen Magazine's "Rock N' Shop" Mall Tour (where Britney Spears started). In May 2006, she posted 3 brand new songs, "Been Gone", "Kiss" and "Summer Love" on MySpace.
In March 2006 she released her "2U" Album teaser single, "Ring The Alarm", which was used for WarChild's "Keep The Beat" charity campaign. All the proceeds from "Ring The Alarm" went to supported children at war and was also featured on triple platinum compilation "MuchDance 2006".
In July of that year, she released her single "Been Gone", produced by Philadelphia's Matrax Productions. The video was shot by Little X (making it her 3rd collaboration with him) and was shot inside of "Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School" where Chanté attended in her last year of school and graduated. Her second single, "2U", produced by Matrax was released in early November. 2U's video was shot on October 22 in Miami by director Bobby O'Neill, and was released on Yahoo Music Canada on November 16.
Also in 2006, Chanté made a featured cameo appearance in label mate Bow Wow's video "Shortie Like Mine". The video depicts Rapper Bow Wow searching for Keshia Chanté on his laptop. They send messages back and forth throughout the video.
Her second album, in which Chanté executive produced5 was released on December 5, 2006 in Canada through Sony BMG Canada and was released in May 2007 in Japan.
Chanté refused to finish promoting her album to its full potential because of "dirty label politics" infuriating her to back away from her album and begin working on a new one, which is her upcoming third album.27
2008–present: New albums and films
In August 2008, Chante got the lead role in a television series titled "Soul", which they began filming for several months in Halifax. Chante's upcoming third album is confirmed to be titled The Vendetta. Chante will also play the leading role as Aaliyah in a 2011 biopic film. The movie is titled Aaliyah.28
Keshia continues to be managed by Ivan Berry at tanjola who has been her long time manager and is the former BMG A&R Executive who discovered and originally signed Chante to her record deal.
Products and endorsements
Chante is the face of Ontario Tourism and sings the theme song "There's No Place Like This" in their commercials.18 Chanté is the face of the Sony's Cyber-Shot Digital Camera1 and was the face of EckoRed in 2006. In 2005, Solo Mobile (Bell), EckoRed and SPC sponsored Chante's tour across Canada which helped raise awareness for phone counseling service Kids Help Phone.29
Acting
In 2006, Chanté starred as herself in the indie flick "Cats Cradle".12 In 2007 she had a guest starring role in "Da Kink in My Hair".12 In August 2008, Chanté began filming Soul, a television series in which she stars as "Mahalia". In February 2009, Soul began to air on VisionTV throughout Canada.30 It was finalized, reported, and confirmed that Chanté would star as Aaliyah in the upcoming biopic of the late singer's life.1231
Personal life
Public Image: Fashion
As Chanté has matured, greater interest in her fashion choices began. The New York Times and the L'Oreal Fashion Week committee declared Keshia Chanté a fashion icon for pioneering the "Glamour Mystique" look.{[fact}} Chanté has been known to have an aesthetic of mixing super high fashion with lower end as a way of "connecting to her younger fans."citation needed
In Canada, Chanté is considered a Fashionista by fashion's high rankings.32 Her style has been described as "glamourous" meets "sexy elegance" by Holt Renfrew executives.32
She commonly gets crowned best dressed for her high fashion looks seen on red carpets and events. She frequently is seen in Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Valentino, famously wearing two dresses worth $20,0007 crystal jewel encrusted7 to the 2007 Canadian Juno Awards.7
In October 2009, Chanté acquired stock in Guess's upscale fashion brand Marciano. Chanté also co-owns the Marciano Store in Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Center.citation needed
Philanthropy
Chante worked closely with Alicia Keys to throw a fundraising concert to help build awareness about AIDS with the Stephen Lewis Foundation3334 and was apart of BET'S Rap-It-Up campaign.
She has also helped build awareness about children affected by war in third world countries with WarChild's Keep The Beat campaign donating the proceeds of her singles to them, as well as the proceeds that came from her songs inclusion into the MuchMusic's MuchDance compilations.
In 2008, she visited Dominican Republic to work with World Vision.3536 She has also been apart of three consecutive WorldVision 30 Hour Famine's and has been apart of many of their campaigns and advertisements endorsing the event.
Chante also developed the Roger's Love Music Speaking Tour where she spoke to school students across Canada and donated tens of thousands of dollars to their music programs37.
Romantic life
Chante has been romantically linked to Chris Brown38 whom she met in 2006 after doing a tv show together 39. They began a definite friendship afterwards39. Some media outlets, mainly TMZ40 reported that Chante was the "other woman" in the Chris Brown assault against Rihanna41 claiming Chante was the woman who sent the text message4042 but Chante's rep's heavily denied that claim4043. Chante was in fact in LA during the incident39. In November 2009, Rihanna confirmed it was an argument over a text message from a past Brown relationship that triggered the altercation.
In 2007, Actor/Rapper Drake talks about his past relationship with Chante on the second verse of his song "Deceiving", referencing her mother "Tessa".44 stating "when I say I'm serious, you claim your only teasing" and "What up Tessa? I love you like my own mama, and your daughters getting grown mama, and me, I'm just here working, waiting, patient for her to be ready for love and leave alone drama"
In May 2009, Drake spoke to MuchMusic about his song "Deceiving" addressing speculation of his past relationship with Chante45, "Would I call Keshia Chante an ex? I'd be proud to say she is an ex. I'm proud to say we had our time, when we were, like 16 years old. She's great. She's one of the first people in the industry that I met, we just connected."46
In June 2009, Drake did two remixes to Chante's song "Fallen" where he addresses his love for her, on Version 1 he raps "Keshia, Keshia, do you remember the old us? They said we'd never be together that's what they told us. Immature kids, to entrepreneur kids." then on Version 2, he raps "you just hold it down for your boy until the plaques arrive, that's why I love you."
Awards and nominations
2003
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single for "Shook (The Answer)" - Won
- Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (Dance Urban Rhythmic) - Nominated47
- Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (CHR) - Won47
2004
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Best New Artist - Won
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Video Of The Year for "Bad Boy" - Won
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Fans Choice - Won
- Rising Star Award for Rising Star of the Year - Won
- MuchMusic Video Award for "Best R&B Video" for "Does He Love Me?" - Nominated
- Chart Poll Awards - won Golden Toque Award and Throw Your Underwear Female Award categories48
2005
- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year" - Won49
- Canadian Urban Music Award for "Video Of The Year" for "Does He Love Me?" - Won
- MuchMusic Video Award for "People's Choice: Favorite Canadian Artist" - Nominated
- MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Pop Video" for "Does He Love Me?" - Nominated
- Juno Award for "New Artist of the Year" - Nominated
- 10th Annual Chartattack Award - "Sexiest Female" - Won
- 10th Annual Chartattack Award - "Best Album" - Won
2006
- Yahoo Music Canada Online Award for Best Canadian Video for "Been Gone" - Won
- Sony Ericsson Stylus Award for R&B Single of the Year for "Ring The Alarm" - Nominated50
2007
- MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Pop Video" for "2U" - Nominated51
- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recoding Of The Year" for "Been Gone" - Nominated49
2008
- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recoding Of The Year" for "2U" - Nominated
Discography
Singles
| Year |
Single |
Peak positions |
| CAN |
| 2003 |
"Shook (The Answer)" |
10 |
| "Unpredictable"1 |
1 |
| 2004 |
"Bad Boy"1 |
1 |
| "Does He Love Me?" (feat. Foxy Brown)1 |
1 52 |
| "Let the Music Take You"1 |
5 |
| 2005 |
"Come Fly With Me"
(Promo) |
4 |
| 2006 |
"Ring the Alarm" (Charity Single) |
8 |
| "Been Gone"1 |
6 |
| "2U"1 |
4 |
| 2007 |
"Fallen" (feat Freeway) |
98 |
5354
References
- ^ a b c Liu, Karon (2007-10-09). ""My Toronto: Keshia Chante"". National Post. http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2007/10/09/my-toronto-keshia-chante.aspx. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ ttp://www.halifaxfilm.com/node/63 MAHALIA - A New Family Drama Series From Halifax Film]
- ^ Keshia Chante inspires students, Kathy Rumleski, Sun Media
- ^ a b Keshia Chante shrugs off 'role model' label, Canadian Press, Dec. 4, 2006
- ^ a b c dancerKeshia Chante getting big push in U.S., jam.canoe
- ^ a b c Keshia Chante to Aing National Anthem at Grey Cup OttawaStart, October 23, 2004
- ^ a b c d A high five for Nelly Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen April 2, 2007
- ^ Pop singer returns home to deliver important message to local students, Fred Sherwin, Orléans Online
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/chante_keshia/artist.jhtml
- ^ www.keshiachante.com
- ^ Henley, Tara (2004-09-09). "Keshia Chanté Handles Success Like A Veteran". The Georgia Straight. http://www.straight.com/article/keshia-chanta-handles-success-like-a-veteran?#. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ^ a b c d Olsen, Michelle (2008-12-18). "Keshia Chante to play Aaliyah in biopic". National Post. http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/12/18/keshia-chante-to-play-aaliyah-in-biopic.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ^ a b Keshia Chante Biography, Maplemusic.com
- ^ http://www.tv.com/keshia-chante/person/297601/biography.html
- ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1098413259343_68/?hub=Entertainment
- ^ http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/kch/bio.asp
- ^ http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Chante_Keshia_315948199.aspx
- ^ a b http://swaymag.ca/fall2008/music1.php
- ^ www.dyfuse.com/?q=node/5940
- ^ watch.muchmusic.com/top-artists/keshia-chante/
- ^ http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/Soul+sister/Interviews/Insider/Articles/090209_keshia_chante_soul_MH.htm?isfa=1
- ^ The Official Little X Website
- ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1098413259343_68/?hub=Entertainment
- ^ http://www.chumfm.com/Music/Artist/ArtistProfile.aspx?ID=72176
- ^ a b Keshia Chante ready to heat up Ottawa, An Marie McQueen, Ottawa Sun
- ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050927/urban_awards_050927/20050927?hub=Entertainment
- ^ http://www.thestar.com/article/585495
- ^ http://KeshiaChante.com
- ^ http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20050719/solo.html
- ^ Saxberg, Feb 10 2009
- ^ Harling, Danielle (2009-01-26). "Aaliyah Biopic In The Works". Black Entertainment Television. http://www.bet.com/Music/News/musicnews_aaliyahbiopic_1.26.09.htm.
- ^ a b http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini/CTVNews/1111865215079_21/?s_name=junos2005&no_ads=box
- ^ http://www.aegis.com/news/ads/2004/AD042448.html
- ^ http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/plocal/CTVNews/20041129/alicia_keys_aids_041129/20041129/?hub=TorontoHome
- ^ http://www.worldvision.ca/About-Us/Our-Celebrities/Pages/More-Celebrities-That-Support-World-Vision.aspx
- ^ http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20630.aspx
- ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Chante_Keshia/2007/03/01/3680550.html
- ^ http://ca.askmen.com/celebs/women/singer_300/392_keshia_chante.html
- ^ a b c http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Chanté+denies+links+Rihanna+Brown+breakup/1289583/story.html
- ^ a b c http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=14957
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606665/20090310/brown__chris__18_.jhtml
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606665/20090310/brown__chris__18_.jhtml
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604973/20090212/chante_keshia.jhtml
- ^ http://www.andpop.com/tag/keshia-chante/
- ^ http://www.entertainmentandshowbiz.com/aubrey-drake-graham-is-rihannas-new-man-2009052016345
- ^ http://blog.muchmusic.com/drake-talks-young-love-with-keshia-chante/
- ^ a b http://www.cmw.net/cmw2004/presscrma.htm
- ^ "Keshia Chante Plays Show For 30 Hour Famine Participants". Chart. 2005-03-07. http://www.chartattack.com/news/38173/keshia-chante-plays-show-for-30-hour-famine-participants. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
- ^ a b http://www.junoawards.ca/PDF/20070228b.pdf
- ^ http://boards.muchmusic.com/printthread.php?Board=UBB30&main=1737077&type=post
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/05/23/mmva-noms.html
- ^ http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/word_music/KeshiaSpr05.jsp
- ^ http://www.theagencygroup.com/artist.aspx?ArtistID=2163
- ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Chante_Keshia/2006/12/02/2591628.html
External links
|
Keshia Chanté |
|
| Studio albums |
|
|
| Singles |
"Shook (The Answer)" • "Unpredictable" • "Bad Boy" • "Does He Love Me?" • "Let The Music Take You" • "Come Fly With Me" • "Ring The Alarm" • " Been Gone" • " 2U" • " Fallen" |
|
| Featured singles |
"Get To Know You"
|
|
 Music Lyrics Chord&summary=2U Keshia Chante&link=http://www.music-lyrics-chord.com/cover/Keshia_Chante_2U.jpg&thumb=http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:vJS1vFxj9cGhiM:www.music-lyrics-chord.com/cover/Keshia_Chante_2U.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)
![Drake Feat. Keshia Chante - Fallen (3:17) [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kXlsM8UGL._SL160_.jpg)
![Clip Official "2U" Music Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Bobby ONeill. Made in 07. This is the second single off of Keshias ... Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Keshia Chante 2U&videoType=YouTube&summary=Official "2U" Music Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Bobby ONeill. Made in 07. This is the second single off of Keshias ...&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/faD5zFfu0IA&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://0.gvt0.com/vi/faD5zFfu0IA/default.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)
![Clip Official "Been Gone" Music Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. This is the first single off of Keshias new album "2U ... Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Keshia Chante Been Gone&videoType=YouTube&summary=Official "Been Gone" Music Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. This is the first single off of Keshias new album "2U ...&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/ecZlvN1d7v8&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/ecZlvN1d7v8/default.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)
![Clip Official "Bad Boy" Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. Made in 03; Keshia was 15 Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Bad Boy by Keshia Chante&videoType=YouTube&summary=Official "Bad Boy" Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. Made in 03; Keshia was 15&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/XR7i8BS8RGA&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://0.gvt0.com/vi/XR7i8BS8RGA/default.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)
![Clip Official "Does He Love Me" Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. Made in 04; Keshia was 16. Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Does He Love Me by Keshia Chante&videoType=YouTube&summary=Official "Does He Love Me" Video by Keshia Chante. Directed by Little X. Made in 04; Keshia was 16.&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/dsVzafZik3c&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/dsVzafZik3c/default.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)
&videoType=YouTube&summary=Behind the Scenes on the Making of Keshia Chantes "2U" Album&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/00d8eMR9Ko4&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://2.gvt0.com/vi/00d8eMR9Ko4/default.jpg&celebrity=Keshia Chante)