Keke Wyatt
Encyclopedia
Ketara Shavon "Keke" Wyatt (born March 10, 1982) is a multi-talented American
R&B recording artist. She became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant
on his platinum album My Thoughts
. This led to her debut Certified Gold album Soul Sista
in 2001, and a promising solo career with MCA Records
.
to Lorna Wyatt, a vocalist, and Keever Wyatt II, an organist/vocalist, Ketara Wyatt (who goes by her nickname Keke) hails from a musical family rooted in church music. Despite the family's religious background, the singer's parents exposed her to R&B at home encouraging her to pursue secular music. This musical household cultivated a singer with the ability to perform several genres of music that include gospel, R&B, pop, country and opera. Subsequently, Keke can write music equally as well.
Belonging to a family of regular church musicians, Wyatt began singing at the age of two. By age five Keke made her first performance in front of a live audience. The song she performed, entitled "Beautiful", was taught to her by her mother. The young singer later performed a song she learned from her father, entitled "How Beautiful". Growing up in Indianapolis, spending time in both Kentucky and Texas, Wyatt became influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder
, Donny Hathaway
and Ella Fitzgerald
. Inspired by many preceding musical greats, Wyatt would sing with various girl groups as a teen. As a young girl and teen Keke was often recognized for possessing a level of maturity that exceeded her in age. She attended high school in Indianapolis
where she was a member of her high school's varsity wrestling team.
based R.H. Duncan. With growing buzz surrounding the little girl who could sing, news of Wyatt's talent would lead to a long line of encounters with people like Bill Woodson
, Nathan Alexander, Billy Badd, Chris Kelly
, multi-platinum Producer/Composer Jorge Corante
and Emmanuel Officer.
During adolescence Keke Wyatt became a student of Chicago-based producer/songwriter Steve "Stone" Huff, famous for his work with the Isley Brothers, the artist Joe of "Things Your Man Won't Do" fame, Avant
, and other successful R&B artists. Huff eventually produced and shopped a few demos for the singer in hopes of landing her a record deal. During her mid-teens she performed demo songs for various gospel labels, earning $1,500 per recording. Keke wrote the majority of the lyrics for a hit song of which the title, recording label and name of the performing artist is unknown. As a minor she began paying her dues early on when she experienced one of her first coldly dealt disappointments as a music industry professional, she would not receive credit for her work.
with Avant
, which eventually turned into a single, on the MCA Records
label for his album entitled My Thoughts
. Wyatt gained much notoriety for the remake of the lush 1980s ballad
by Rene & Angela
. The single was released two years after being recorded. Its success, remaining on the Top 10 for several weeks, resulted in a solo album contract with MCA Records
. With the help of the late MCA Record executive Louil Silas
, her friend and A&R
Randy Jackson
(of American Idol
fame who she met at age twelve) and former Boyz II Men
manager Quadri El Amin, Wyatt recorded her first album in only two weeks time.
Unfortunately, her first single, Used to Love went virtually unnoticed. However the follow-up Nothing in This World, her second duet with Avant
, became a huge smash single. Incidentally, controversy surrounding accusations in a domestic dispute between Wyatt and her husband/manager helped propel her debut album Soul Sista
into gold-certified status. The album held the Top 5 position for several weeks and sold more than one million copies reaching audiences in Japan, Korea and Europe. The video for her third single, I Don't Wanna, features her former real-life spouse, Rahmat Morton, playing her husband as well as her son from a previous relationship in the beginning intro.
and signed with Cash Money Records
/Universal Motown Records
under the management of Cassandra Ware. Rahmat Morton, Wyatt's spouse and long-time road manager, negotiated the contract. Her second album Emotional Rollercoaster was originally set for release on May 31, 2005, but the release date was later pushed back to early 2006. The set's first single, Put Your Hands on Me, became the #1 most added urban track to radio in April 2005. However, the single failed to chart or gain radio airplay, and her album was subsequently shelved.
Songs slated to appear on her second album included the first single Put Your Hands On Me, Look at What You Made Me Do, Insecurity (written by Bryan Michael Cox
), My Man, Six Questions (featuring Avant), Cheaters, Who Knows (written by R&B singer Tank
), Peace On Earth (remake of a Rachelle Ferrell
single), and the title track (featuring Ginuwine
).
Late 2006 saw the release of Wyatt from her contract with Cash Money Records
, the singer citing management as the reason for her departure. She then signed with TVT Records
, reuniting with her former manager Quadri El Amin. Work on her TVT Records
debut, Ghetto Rose was completed in 2007. The title track was the set's lead single, which was released to Urban radio outlets late August/early September. Ghetto Rose was written by veteran song writer Franne Golde
, Kasey Livingston and Curt Schneider. Golde is known for her work with The Commodores; she also wrote Stickwitu
with Livingston for the Pussycat Dolls
. The album was originally set to be released on October 23, 2007, but was later pushed back to early 2008. However, in February 2008, Wyatt's record label (TVT Records
) filed for bankruptcy . TVT Records
founder and president Steve Gottlieb reported - "This is not the end of TVT." For the second time, the release of Wyatt's album was ultimately shelved by the record label.
are in works for their long-awaited duets album.
, singer Avant
, actor Khalil Kain
, actor Carl Payne and funny man Miguel Nunez Jr.
The singer has two younger brothers who also work as entertainers. Keever Wyatt, III is an R&B/Hip-Hop artist. Kendall Wyatt is a writer for the Christian Music
industry.
community.
Wyatt's maternal grandfather and grandmother are both white
. Together her maternal grandparents had eight children, including Keke's mother - Lorna Wyatt. After divorcing her first husband, Keke's maternal grandmother married an African-American with whom she bore one child named Tony, Keke's biracial uncle. Wyatt's eight (8) aunts and uncles from her maternal grandmother's first marriage were rejected by her maternal grandfather and his family. However they were embraced by Wyatt's maternal step-grandfather's family which resulted in them being raised in an African-American household. In addition to her mother's and maternal grandmother's interracial marriage, two of Wyatt's maternal aunts also married African American
men.
Wyatt's father, who is Black
identified despite his multi-racial heritage, has ancestral roots in the West Indies. The singer's paternal grandmother is part Cherokee
.
Despite being born to parents from different racial backgrounds, Keke Wyatt was raised exclusively in an African-American household and community setting. Growing up the singer had little to no interaction with whites
outside of those related to her.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B recording artist. She became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
on his platinum album My Thoughts
My Thoughts
My Thoughts is the debut album by R&B singer Avant released on May 9, 2000. It spawned two top ten hits, "Separated" and the cover of the classic René & Angela hit "My First Love", both certified Platinum. The album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the R&B charts. It sold...
. This led to her debut Certified Gold album Soul Sista
Soul Sista
Soul Sista is the debut album by American R&B and soul singer-songwriter KeKe Wyatt, released in the United States on November 13, 2001 by MCA Records and produced by Steve Huff. The album peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 494,000 copies in the U.S. It was eventually certified gold...
in 2001, and a promising solo career with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
.
Biography
Born in Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
to Lorna Wyatt, a vocalist, and Keever Wyatt II, an organist/vocalist, Ketara Wyatt (who goes by her nickname Keke) hails from a musical family rooted in church music. Despite the family's religious background, the singer's parents exposed her to R&B at home encouraging her to pursue secular music. This musical household cultivated a singer with the ability to perform several genres of music that include gospel, R&B, pop, country and opera. Subsequently, Keke can write music equally as well.
Belonging to a family of regular church musicians, Wyatt began singing at the age of two. By age five Keke made her first performance in front of a live audience. The song she performed, entitled "Beautiful", was taught to her by her mother. The young singer later performed a song she learned from her father, entitled "How Beautiful". Growing up in Indianapolis, spending time in both Kentucky and Texas, Wyatt became influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations...
and Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
. Inspired by many preceding musical greats, Wyatt would sing with various girl groups as a teen. As a young girl and teen Keke was often recognized for possessing a level of maturity that exceeded her in age. She attended high school in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
where she was a member of her high school's varsity wrestling team.
Early years
Her professional career began at age ten, recording the song "What If" on a gospel compilation album for IndianapolisIndianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
based R.H. Duncan. With growing buzz surrounding the little girl who could sing, news of Wyatt's talent would lead to a long line of encounters with people like Bill Woodson
Bill Woodson
William "Bill" T. Woodson is a retired American voice artist. He has a small onscreen appearance in the 1950s sci-fi film "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" as a newscaster. He can be heard in the opening narrative of the 1970s television series The Odd Couple, explaining how it is that Felix and...
, Nathan Alexander, Billy Badd, Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He is an alternate captain for the Bruins during away games.- Minor Hockey :...
, multi-platinum Producer/Composer Jorge Corante
Jorge Corante
Jorge Corante is a music producer, songwriter and composer for film. Corante has worked with a number of high-profile artists and numerous films.- External links :...
and Emmanuel Officer.
During adolescence Keke Wyatt became a student of Chicago-based producer/songwriter Steve "Stone" Huff, famous for his work with the Isley Brothers, the artist Joe of "Things Your Man Won't Do" fame, Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
, and other successful R&B artists. Huff eventually produced and shopped a few demos for the singer in hopes of landing her a record deal. During her mid-teens she performed demo songs for various gospel labels, earning $1,500 per recording. Keke wrote the majority of the lyrics for a hit song of which the title, recording label and name of the performing artist is unknown. As a minor she began paying her dues early on when she experienced one of her first coldly dealt disappointments as a music industry professional, she would not receive credit for her work.
Soul Sista
At age eighteen Wyatt recorded the song My First LoveMy First Love
"My First Love" is a 1983 R&B Ballad recorded by R&B duo René & Angela on the Capitol label and later a 2000 hit cover by Avant and singer Keke Wyatt....
with Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
, which eventually turned into a single, on the MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
label for his album entitled My Thoughts
My Thoughts
My Thoughts is the debut album by R&B singer Avant released on May 9, 2000. It spawned two top ten hits, "Separated" and the cover of the classic René & Angela hit "My First Love", both certified Platinum. The album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the R&B charts. It sold...
. Wyatt gained much notoriety for the remake of the lush 1980s ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
by Rene & Angela
René & Angela
René & Angela were an 1980s R&B duo consisting of artist/producers René Moore and Angela Winbush. The group dissolved by the mid 1980s. Both went on to successful solo careers as performers, songwriters, and producers.-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:...
. The single was released two years after being recorded. Its success, remaining on the Top 10 for several weeks, resulted in a solo album contract with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. With the help of the late MCA Record executive Louil Silas
Louil Silas
Louil Silas, Jr was an American record executive who eventually started an MCA Records imprint, Silas Records....
, her friend and A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
(of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
fame who she met at age twelve) and former Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
manager Quadri El Amin, Wyatt recorded her first album in only two weeks time.
Unfortunately, her first single, Used to Love went virtually unnoticed. However the follow-up Nothing in This World, her second duet with Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
, became a huge smash single. Incidentally, controversy surrounding accusations in a domestic dispute between Wyatt and her husband/manager helped propel her debut album Soul Sista
Soul Sista
Soul Sista is the debut album by American R&B and soul singer-songwriter KeKe Wyatt, released in the United States on November 13, 2001 by MCA Records and produced by Steve Huff. The album peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 494,000 copies in the U.S. It was eventually certified gold...
into gold-certified status. The album held the Top 5 position for several weeks and sold more than one million copies reaching audiences in Japan, Korea and Europe. The video for her third single, I Don't Wanna, features her former real-life spouse, Rahmat Morton, playing her husband as well as her son from a previous relationship in the beginning intro.
Album/Label problems
By 2004, Keke Wyatt departed from MCA RecordsMCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
and signed with Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
/Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label as well.Changes were made at...
under the management of Cassandra Ware. Rahmat Morton, Wyatt's spouse and long-time road manager, negotiated the contract. Her second album Emotional Rollercoaster was originally set for release on May 31, 2005, but the release date was later pushed back to early 2006. The set's first single, Put Your Hands on Me, became the #1 most added urban track to radio in April 2005. However, the single failed to chart or gain radio airplay, and her album was subsequently shelved.
Songs slated to appear on her second album included the first single Put Your Hands On Me, Look at What You Made Me Do, Insecurity (written by Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan-Michael Cox is a GRAMMY award winning American songwriter and record producer.-History:Bryan-Michael Cox was born in Miami and grew up in Houston, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While in the eleventh grade he met and was mentored by Greg Curtis...
), My Man, Six Questions (featuring Avant), Cheaters, Who Knows (written by R&B singer Tank
Tank (American singer)
Tank is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.-Career:Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college...
), Peace On Earth (remake of a Rachelle Ferrell
Rachelle Ferrell
Rachelle Ferrell is an American singer and musician. Although she has had some success in the mainstream R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music scene, she is most noted for her talents as a contemporary jazz singer.-Biography:...
single), and the title track (featuring Ginuwine
Ginuwine
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin , better known by his stage name Ginuwine is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine had released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990's...
).
Late 2006 saw the release of Wyatt from her contract with Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
, the singer citing management as the reason for her departure. She then signed with TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
, reuniting with her former manager Quadri El Amin. Work on her TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
debut, Ghetto Rose was completed in 2007. The title track was the set's lead single, which was released to Urban radio outlets late August/early September. Ghetto Rose was written by veteran song writer Franne Golde
Franne Golde
Franne Golde is a songwriter, musician, singer and writer. Her songs have appeared on more than 100 million records worldwideFranne has received BMI awards for singles with The Pussycat Dolls , Randy Travis’s "A Man Ain't Made of Stone", The Kinleys' "Somebody's Out There Watching" from the Touched...
, Kasey Livingston and Curt Schneider. Golde is known for her work with The Commodores; she also wrote Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
with Livingston for the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
. The album was originally set to be released on October 23, 2007, but was later pushed back to early 2008. However, in February 2008, Wyatt's record label (TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
) filed for bankruptcy . TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
founder and president Steve Gottlieb reported - "This is not the end of TVT." For the second time, the release of Wyatt's album was ultimately shelved by the record label.
Current projects
In 2010, Wyatt released the single Who Knew? which served as the title track for her album, released on February 23, 2010. Additionally, in an interview with UrbanBridgez.com she has said that her and AvantAvant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
are in works for their long-awaited duets album.
Theatre
In 2009, Wyatt played a leading role in a United States based nationally touring production entitled "Love Over Board". The production also included many seasoned cast members such as actress Karen Malina WhiteKaren Malina White
Karen Malina White is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Charmaine Brown on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, and its spin-off series A Different World...
, singer Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
, actor Khalil Kain
Khalil Kain
Khaliloeron Kain is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Raheem Porter in the 1992 film Juice, and as Darnell Wilkes on the UPN/CW sitcom, Girlfriends.-Life and career:...
, actor Carl Payne and funny man Miguel Nunez Jr.
Awards and nominations
2002 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards-
-
- Nominated: Best R&B/soul or rap new artist
- "Nothing in This World," Keke Wyatt featuring Avant
-
Interviews
- 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
- Enfluenz Magazine Dec 07/Jan 08 covermodel
Personal life
Wyatt is a mother of three through her seven year marriage to Rahmat Morton. Eleven years her senior, he is her former road manager whom she married at age eighteen. In 2009 Wyatt reported that she was in the process of divorcing Morton.The singer has two younger brothers who also work as entertainers. Keever Wyatt, III is an R&B/Hip-Hop artist. Kendall Wyatt is a writer for the Christian Music
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
industry.
Cultural heritage
Wyatt is bi-racial, and has a diverse background. In addition to identifying as a person of mixed race, Wyatt synonymously identifies with the BlackBlack people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
community.
Wyatt's maternal grandfather and grandmother are both white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
. Together her maternal grandparents had eight children, including Keke's mother - Lorna Wyatt. After divorcing her first husband, Keke's maternal grandmother married an African-American with whom she bore one child named Tony, Keke's biracial uncle. Wyatt's eight (8) aunts and uncles from her maternal grandmother's first marriage were rejected by her maternal grandfather and his family. However they were embraced by Wyatt's maternal step-grandfather's family which resulted in them being raised in an African-American household. In addition to her mother's and maternal grandmother's interracial marriage, two of Wyatt's maternal aunts also married African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
men.
Wyatt's father, who is Black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
identified despite his multi-racial heritage, has ancestral roots in the West Indies. The singer's paternal grandmother is part Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
.
Despite being born to parents from different racial backgrounds, Keke Wyatt was raised exclusively in an African-American household and community setting. Growing up the singer had little to no interaction with whites
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
outside of those related to her.