Keke Wyatt
KeKe Wyatt | |
---|---|
Birth name | Ke'Tara Shavon Wyatt |
Born | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | March 10, 1982
Genres | R&B, soul, gospel |
Occupations |
|
Instruments | Vocals, drums, keyboards |
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | (2012–present) |
Website | Official Twitter |
Ke'Tara Shavon "KeKe" Wyatt (born March 10, 1982)
In her career, Wyatt released official studio albums, including Soul Sista (2001), Who Knew? (2010), Unbelievable (2011), and her latest and recent release, Rated Love (2016). All of these albums charted prominently on Billboard, as did her first and only EP release, Ke'Ke' (2014).[6] Wyatt has also released a number of charting singles,[6] with the lead single "Sexy Song" from the album Rated Love peaking at number 29 on the Adult R&B Songs chart.[6] After getting involved with a number of non-profits, Wyatt served as a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).[7]
Early life and education
Wyatt was born March 10, 1982, in
Career
1992–1999: Early singing and songwriting
Wyatt's professional career began at the age of ten, when she began recording a song, called "What If", which would be included on a gospel compilation album for Indianapolis-based R.H. Duncan. With growing buzz surrounding "the little girl who could sing", news of Wyatt's talent led her to encounter with these artists from the likes of Bill Woodson, Nathan Alexander, Billy Badd, Chris Kelly, and multi-platinum producer, composer Jorge Corante and Emmanuel Officer.[2] During the years of adolescence, Wyatt became as a student of a school by the Chicago-based producer and songwriter Steve "Stone" Huff.[2] Huff eventually produced and shopped a few of Wyatt's demos in hopes of landing her a record deal.[2][8] During her mid-teens, she performed demo songs for various gospel labels, earning around $1,500 per recording. During that time, Keke extended her skills by also writing music as a teenager, and while she was writing some music, Keke would experience her first coldly dealt disappointment as a music industry professional. She wrote the majority of the lyrics for a hit song but received no credit for her work.[1]
2000–2002: First hit single, Breakthrough and debut album Soul Sista
At age 15, Wyatt recorded "
Her first single, "
2004–2008: Label change, Emotional Rollercoaster and Ghetto Rose
By 2004, Wyatt had departed from
In 2007 Wyatt, reunited with her former manager Quadri El Amin on the TVT Records label. Work on her third solo album Ghetto Rose was completed in 2007. The title track, written by veteran songwriter Franne Golde along with Kasey Livingston and Curt Schneider, was released to urban radio outlets in the fall of that year. The album was originally set for release on October 23, 2007, but was postponed for release in early 2008. Then, in February 2008, the record label filed for bankruptcy and, for the second time in her solo career, Wyatt's album was shelved.[21]
2009–2011: Theatre debut, Who Knew? and Unbelievable
In 2009, Wyatt played a leading role in a United States-based nationally touring production entitled Love Overboard. The production also included many seasoned cast members such as actress Karen Malina White, singer Avant, actor Khalil Kain, and others.[22]
Wyatt released the single "Who Knew?" in 2010, which served as the title track for her album
2012–2014: Appearance on reality TV series R&B Divas and Ke'Ke'
In 2012, Wyatt was cast in
Throughout the show, R&B Divas singers collaborated on a charity album commemorating the life of
External videos | |
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Avant ft. Keke Wyatt - "You & I" Music Video ( VEVO, January 4, 2013) | |
Keke Wyatt - "Lie Under You" Music Video (YouTube, August 3, 2015) |
In 2013, she collaborated with Avant on their hit "You & I", which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Urban A/C chart, and remained there close to two months.[7] "You & I" also reached No. 33 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[28]
In May 2014, Wyatt released her first EP titled Ke'Ke', through The NorthStar Group and her own imprint Aratek Entertainment.[29] The imprint is her birth name backwards, and is also meant as a stand-in for the word erotic.[30]
The EP featured songwriters and producers such as
In August 2014, Wyatt made a cameo in fellow R&B Divas co-star Faith Evans' music video "I Deserve It", featuring Missy Elliott and Sharaya J.[32] Later that year, Wyatt was featured as a vocalist on the track "Make Love" by Faith Evans.[33]
2015–2017: Rated Love and Keke Covers
In the fall of 2015, she signed a multi-album distribution deal for her Aratek Entertainment company[34] with INgrooves Music Group,[35] announcing then-upcoming promo singles.[34] On November 20, 2015, she released her new R&B single "Sexy Song". The track is set to be the lead single from her album Rated Love, which was released through Aratek Entertainment on April 22, 2016.[35] "Sexy Song" was at No. 26 on the Adult R&B Songs chart as of early December 2015.[6] "Love Me" was released as the album's second single on March 18, 2016.[36]
In August 2016, it was announced that she and her husband Michael Ford had joined the cast of the sixth season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars set for an October airdate.[37] On October 13, 2016, Wyatt announced the single "Jodeci" on her Instagram account, writing: "I think we got a new one with my new single Jodeci!!! I wanna know what ya'll think", revealing it would be released with a deluxe version of her album Rated Love on October 21, 2016.[38]
It was announced on January 31, 2017, via Wyatt's social media accounts that a covers album Keke Covers would be released on February 14, 2017, "My YouTube cover series #kekecovers comes the cover album 'Keke Covers' #COMINGSOON #FEB14 #LOVERSDAY2017".[39][40][41][42]
2017–present: Country Fried Soul, KeKe Wyatt's World, Water into Wine
On July 28, 2017, Wyatt released the single "Summertime",
Advocacy
Wyatt has served as a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). As spokesperson, she shares her experience as a long-term victim of domestic abuse.[7] She is also a supporter of the Saving our Daughters organization.[7]
Personal life
Wyatt was 18 years old when she married Rahmat Morton, her road manager.
She remarried in 2010 to Michael Jamar Ford, an ordained minister who went to appear with Wyatt in the reality TV show R&B Divas.[21][52] As of 2013, Wyatt was raising six children with Ford, three fathered by Wyatt's first marriage, a daughter named Mickayla from Ford's previous relationship and their two sons: Ke'Mar Von Ford (born August 16, 2010) & Wyatt Michael Ford (born May 17, 2012).[52] Wyatt had her seventh child and Ford's fourth child, a daughter named Ke'Yoshi Bella Ford on March 10, 2015.[21] Wyatt announced in April 2017 that she was pregnant with her eighth child.[21] In early September 2017, it was reported that the couple were divorcing while she was eight months pregnant.[53][54] On October 27, 2017, Wyatt gave birth to her eighth child and Ford's fifth child, a son named Kendall Miguel Ford.[55][56] Ford confirmed their divorce in August 2018.
In October 2018, Wyatt married her childhood ex-boyfriend, Zackariah Darring. On November 8, 2018, she announced she was pregnant with her ninth child with Zackariah.[57] She gave birth to her tenth child on January 6, 2020; a son named Ke'Riah David Darring.[58] She gave birth to her eleventh child in 2022.[59]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | Soul Train Lady
of Soul Awards |
"Nothing in This World" (Keke Wyatt ft. Avant) |
Best New R&B/Soul/Rap Artist[3] | Nominated |
Discography
- Soul Sista (2001)
- Who Knew? (2010)
- Unbelievable (2011)
- Rated Love (2016)
- Keke Covers (2017)
Filmography and theater
Year | Title | Format | Publisher | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Love Overboard | Touring theater production | Je'Caryous Johnson | Leading role |
2012-14 | R&B Divas: Atlanta | Reality TV series | TV One |
Central character |
2014 | "I Deserve It" | Faith Evans music video | BMG | Cameo[32] |
2016 | Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars season six | Reality TV series | WE tv |
Central character |
2023 | Keke Wyatt's World | Reality TV series | WE tv |
Central character |
Further reading
- Video: BET Awards Backstage, June 2007
- KeKe Wyatt: Still Standing, July 2007
- No More Drama: Keke Wyatt on Her Music and Marriage, August 2007
- Podcast: EURweb.com, September 25, 2007
- S2S Magazine, September 2007
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "No More Drama: Keke Wyatt on Her Music and Marriage". Essence. December 16, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Henderson, Alex (2001), Keke Wyatt, Billboard and All Music Guide
- ^ a b c "2002 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Nominees". Billboard. July 24, 2002. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "Exclusive: 'R&B' Divas' With Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson To Premiere on TV One". Billboard. June 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^ a b Ramirez, Erika (July 9, 2012). "Essence Festival 2012: The 10 Best Performances". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Keke Wyatt Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "About Keke Wyatt". thekekewyatt.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Sanders, J. Victoria (2001), Pop Matters Music Review: Keke Wyatt, Soul Sista - PopMatters
- ^ a b c d Ison, Jason (December 2, 2001), KeKe's talkin' 'bout love, archived from the original on March 3, 2008, retrieved September 23, 2007
- ^ a b c d e Terrell, Calvin (October 2007), "Giving it to ya straight, no chaser: Keke Wyatt", Sister2Sister Magazine, Washington, DC, archived from the original on March 3, 2008 .
- ^ Lee, Bailey (September 25, 2007), LISTEN TO THE KEKE WYATT EURCAST: Hear the singer denounce article on her at Essence.com, Los Angeles, CA: EURweb.com (narrated by Cherie Saunders)
- ^ a b "Biography for Keke Wyatt". IMDb. 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
- ^ Wyatt, Keke (September 10, 2007), 9/10/2007 Blog Entry, New York, NY: TVT Records
- ^ "Soul Sista". Billboard. November 17, 2001. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b
"Keke Wyatt Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt". vh1.com. April 1, 2002. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Book, Ryan (June 13, 2014). "Keke Wyatt Brings Friends for Help on EP 'Ke'Ke". Music Times. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^
Bush, John (November 13, 2001). "Soul Sista Review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "Keke Wyatt Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Wire >> The Soul of Keke Wyatt". Archived from the original on June 9, 2002. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Richburg, Chris (December 15, 2009), "Nee Kee Wyatt Song Strikes Personal Chord: Divorce looming as singer prepares to release 1st new album after eight year absence.", Eurweb.com, Los Angeles
- ^ "Avant Gone 'Overboard' With Keke Wyatt, 'World' Duo Reunites For Album/Play". singersroom.com. February 11, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Who Knew?". AllMusic. February 23, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b
Kellman, Andy (June 14, 2011). "Unbelievable! Review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Saturday Love (feat. Ruben Studdard) - Single pple.com/us/album/saturday-love-feat.-ruben/id440684430". Shanachie Ent. Corp. May 24, 2011.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt - Saturday Love (Featuring Ruben Studdard)". Shenachie Records. April 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- TVone.tv. August 18, 2012. Archived from the originalon August 23, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^ "Avant Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Ke'Ke' - EP". iTunes. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Cue Slow Wind To Keke Wyatt's "Sexy Song Archived December 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (Centric, November 23, 2015)
- ^ "Ke' Ke' (EP)". Billboard. July 21, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Pearson, Joi (August 8, 2014). "Faith Evans' 'I Deserve' BTS Atlanta video shoot". rollingout.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Faith Evans: Incomparable". iTunes.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ^ a b Breezy, Elle (October 14, 2015). "Get It, Girl! KeKe Wyatt Preps New Body And New Album". Singersroom. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "New Music: Keke Wyatt Releases Single "Sexy Song"". youknowigotsoul.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt - Love Me (Audio)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ "'Marriage Boot Camp' Cast Revealed — Including Jade and Tanner!". August 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
- ^ "I think we got one with my new single "Jodeci"!!! I wanna know what y'all think??? #RATEDLOVEDELUXE #OCT21 #JODECI". Keke Wyatt. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2016 – via Instagram.
- ^ "My YouTube cover series #kekecovers comes the cover album 'Keke Covers' #COMINGSOON #FEB14 #LOVERSDAY2017". Twitter. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt's #KekeCovers The Album *COMING SOON*". YouTube. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ^ "From my YouTube cover series #kekecovers comes the remarkable and unprecedented cover album 'Keke Covers' #COMINGSOON #FEB14 #LOVERSDAY2017". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ^ "From my YouTube cover series #kekecovers comes the remarkable and unprecedented cover album 'Keke Covers' #COMINGSOON #FEB14 #LOVERSDAY2017". Facebook. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ^ "Summertime - Single by KeKe Wyatt on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
- ^ "KeKe Wyatt Releases Country-Tinged Single, 'Summertime'". Singersroom. July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt lands her own WE tv reality series". Upi. October 17, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "We tv Gives Viewers a Front Row Seat To Keke Wyatt's World". AMC Networks. October 17, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt on Instagram". Instagram. October 17, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt on Instagram "Water into Wine Announcement"". Instagram. October 17, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt on Facebook "Water into Wine Announcement"". Facebook. October 17, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "Keke Wyatt Tells Why She Stabbed Ex-Husband on Upcoming 'R&B Divas' (Video)". Electronic Urban Report. eurweb.com. August 31, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ Blogger, Futuristic. "R&B Diva Keke Wyatt Talks About Stabbing Her Ex-Husband in New Interview With Essense [sic] Magazine!! – Details Inside". Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "KeKe Wyatt Expecting a Baby". BET.com. September 22, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
- ^ "R&B Singer Keke Wyatt Has Public Meltdown After Husband Leaves Her 8 Months Pregnant". TMZ. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Jessica (September 5, 2017). "At 8 Months Pregnant, Keke Wyatt Tearfully Reveals Husband Asked for Divorce". EBONY. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Jessica (October 30, 2017). "Keke Wyatt Gives Birth to Ninth Child". EBONY. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt on Instagram: "#kendallmiguel 💋💋💋"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ "R&B Singer Keke Wyatt Has a New Husband and Her Child is Cancer-Free". TMZ. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Keke Wyatt Welcomes 10th Child, Son Ke'Riah: We 'Are Blessed'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ Elitou, Tweety (June 2, 2022). "Keke Wyatt Gives Birth To A Healthy Baby Boy: 'My Husband Zackariah & I Are Grateful To GOD'". BET.
External links
- Keke Wyatt on Twitter