Keshia Chanté
Encyclopedia
Keshia Chanté is a Canadian Juno Award
-winning critically acclaimed singer-songwriter
, model
, and actress. She signed to BMG Music Canada
at the age of 14 and has released two albums.
Chanté has won many awards, including a Juno Award, "Best New Artist" at the Canadian Radio Awards and Urban Music Awards, as well as "Video of the Year" and "Fans Choice". She has had six Top Ten singles at radio.
She is known in the U.S. for her "Bad Boy" video that was in heavy rotation on BET
, her guest appearance in Bow Wow & Chris Brown's "Shortie Like Mine" video and constant media attention surrounding her personal life.
After a three-year hiatus, in November 2010 Chante released 2 videos for 2 new singles "Table Dancer" and "Test Drive", both off her new album Night & Day
, slated for release in Spring 2011. Both singles are currently nominated for Juno Awards; R&B Recording of the Year for "Test Drive" and Dance Recording of the Year for "Table Dancer".
, Ontario
on June 16, 1988 to a father of Trinidadian descent and a mother of Portuguese
descent. She is an only child. Chante attended St. Francis Of Assisi Elementary School in Orleans, Ottawa, Ontario. Her favorite teacher was her grade 6 teacher, Mr. Pratt, who she says suggested she go further with her singing ability. Chante then attended St. Peter Catholic High School in Orleans, Ottawa, Ontario until the age of 14 and continued high school at Fletchers Meadow Secondary School.
Chanté took part in several school and community talent shows. One performance was brought to the attention of Ottawa DJ Trevor Mason who sent the tape to BMG Canada big wig Ivan Berry. She then received a call from Berry that would change her life forever. After performing an impromptu song over the phone, Keshia was invited into Toronto for a live audition that eventually led to a record deal.
Chanté balanced high school and her new found career, by traveling to Toronto on weekends to begin recording for her debut album. In 2004, she moved to Toronto to better balance work and school. She chose to continue school by attending Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School, and graduated as a straight-A student with her class in 2006, her final year being with a private tutor. Mary Dickie of Elle Canada noted "Keshia Chante has led a double life: high school student by day; R&B diva/hard-nosed buisinesswoman by night." in reference to Chante's life balancing attending high school while she was promoting her album.
. 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 CD 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 10 on radio and becoming the #3 video on MuchMusic
for 4 weeks. The video was directed by director Little X
. 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 #2 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 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. In that same month, she also sang the national anthem at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.
In December 2004, Chante headlined Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for New Year's Eve. 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.
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 produced 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 ask to be released from her record label. After a few months, her wish was granted and she was released from Sony BMG Canada.
MTV's "The Diary of Keshia Chante" aired in Canada December 6, 2006, showing footage following Chante as she travelled to Miami and LA working on her album.
In September, Chanté announced that she would release a 2 disc album titled "Night & Day
" slated for a release in Spring 2011. One disc, titled 'Night' will be all Dance music and the other disc, titled 'Day' will be R&B, reminiscent of Chanté's first two albums. When looking for inspiration and the direction that she wanted for this album, she stated that wanted something with "no-genre", sing something that was real and to the heart. Keshia found inspiration from Brandy's Afrodisiac
.
In October, Chanté released two new singles, "Table Dancer" from the 'Night' side of her album and "Test Drive" from the 'Day' side. In November, the music video for "Test Drive" was released exclusively on VEVO, starring Chanté's boyfriend, NHL goalie Ray Emery
and endorsed by Smarties. Later the music video for "Table Dancer" was released, endorsed by Pepsi. The video is currently on the video charts climbing and has already entered into Top 10.
"Table Dancer
" so far has reached #44 on the Canadian Hot 100
, accumulating an audience of over 5,000,000 and #24 on the Top 40. The single has also entered the Canadian iTunes R&B/Soul Chart and peaked at #6.
In February 2011, Chanté was nominated for two Juno Awards; R&B Recording of the Year for "Test Drive" and Dance Recording of the Year for "Table Dancer".
On February 14, 2011, Chanté revealed the cover of her new upcoming singles titled Set U Free/If U Say Keshia Chante's Photos - Wall Photos
noted that beneath the slickly produced, hip-hop—tinged, pop veneer of tracks like "Shook (The Answer)" lies an arresting voice, magnetic charisma, and driving ambition." Denise Sheppard from Amazon.ca also noted, "[Chanté is] a teen-targeted pop phenom" whose "music has the one-two punch of melodic hooks and the voice to back them up; a combination that can and will appeal to dance/pop music fans of any age.
Chanté is artistically involved in her projects, especially in the writing process. She has received executive production credit on most of her music in which she has been involved, however she doesn't formulate beats herself, she typically comes up with melodies and ideas during production, sharing them with producers. Some of her songs are autobiographical, which she has admitted are taken from personal experiences, as well as her friends.
Chanté's music is generally contemporary R&B, but she also incorporates pop, dance and hip hop into her music.
, Aaliyah
, Christina Aguilera
, Monica, Missy Elliott
, Lauryn Hill
, Mary J. Blige
, Faith Evans
, Destiny's Child
, SWV
, TLC
, Coldplay
growing up. She also stated her household played a lot of dancehall, reggae, soca music and fado
, adhering to her roots.
Tara Henley of The Georgia Straight
noted "The fresh-faced R&B singer--who lists shopping as one of her chief hobbies--looks pretty much like every other bright, bubbly, fashion-obsessed high-school girl out there--except for the fact that, at 16, she has already accomplished what most can only hope to achieve during an entire career."
In Canada, Chanté is considered a Fashionista
by fashion's high rankings. Her style has been described as "glamorous" meets "sexy elegance" by Holt Renfrew
executives.
Chante is an avid supporter of Canadian Fashion Designers and labels. Flare Magazine has named her a "true style chameleon"
Chante regularly attends front row at Fashion Week with her outfits anticipated and documented. In 2010, she attended Evan Biddell's show and appeared in his opening runway video.
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.
In August 2008, Chanté got the lead role in a one-hour television series drama titled '"Soul", in which she played a teen conflicted about having to choose between the church choir and pop stardom. It filmed for several months in Halifax. In February 2009, Soul began to air on VisionTV throughout Canada. The series garnered interest by BET with a potential U.S air date on there network being negotiated, states executive producer Floyd Kane.
In 2007, it was announced that Chante would be collaborating on a diamond jewellery line with conflict-free diamond company, Polar Bear Diamonds and begin working on a perfume line.
In November 2010, Chante became the face of Pepsi and their Pepsi Refresh Project
campaign, with Pepsi presenting Chante's video "Table Dancer". Chante is the face of Ontario Tourism and sings the theme song "There's No Place Like This" in their commercials. Chanté is the face of the Sony's Cyber-Shot Digital Camera 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. Chante has collaborated with Smarties in music video "Test Drive".
In 2008, she visited Dominican Republic to work with World Vision. She has also been a part of three consecutive WorldVision 30 Hour Famine's and has been a part 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 programs.
She has contributed to 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 November 2010, CANFAR
announced Chante as their official Youth Ambassador. She participated in World AIDS Day doing a media tour with CANFAR President Christopher Bunting.
In May, Chante travelled to Kenya with CANFAR
where she spent 10 days working with orphans who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and building with other student volunteers to help out students in classrooms in Narobi, Africa.
. In June 2010, eTalk Daily and Entertainment Tonight Canada broke the news that Chante and Ray Emery
had began dating. Emery has been featured as the love interest in her music video for "Test Drive".
2004
2005
2007
2008
2011
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
-winning critically acclaimed singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, and actress. She signed to BMG Music Canada
BMG Music Canada
BMG Music Canada was the Canadian division of BMG, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Previously working for Henri Dès albums, it acquired the Lanoraie, Quebec-based Interdisc Distribution Inc...
at the age of 14 and has released two albums.
Chanté has won many awards, including a Juno Award, "Best New Artist" at the Canadian Radio Awards and Urban Music Awards, as well as "Video of the Year" and "Fans Choice". She has had six Top Ten singles at radio.
She is known in the U.S. for her "Bad Boy" video that was in heavy rotation on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, her guest appearance in Bow Wow & Chris Brown's "Shortie Like Mine" video and constant media attention surrounding her personal life.
After a three-year hiatus, in November 2010 Chante released 2 videos for 2 new singles "Table Dancer" and "Test Drive", both off her new album Night & Day
Night & Day (album)
*Tracks 1 - 7 = Night Side*Tracks 8 - 14 = Day Side...
, slated for release in Spring 2011. Both singles are currently nominated for Juno Awards; R&B Recording of the Year for "Test Drive" and Dance Recording of the Year for "Table Dancer".
1988–2003: Early life and career beginnings
Keshia Chanté was born in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on June 16, 1988 to a father of Trinidadian descent and a mother of Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
descent. She is an only child. Chante attended St. Francis Of Assisi Elementary School in Orleans, Ottawa, Ontario. Her favorite teacher was her grade 6 teacher, Mr. Pratt, who she says suggested she go further with her singing ability. Chante then attended St. Peter Catholic High School in Orleans, Ottawa, Ontario until the age of 14 and continued high school at Fletchers Meadow Secondary School.
Chanté took part in several school and community talent shows. One performance was brought to the attention of Ottawa DJ Trevor Mason who sent the tape to BMG Canada big wig Ivan Berry. She then received a call from Berry that would change her life forever. After performing an impromptu song over the phone, Keshia was invited into Toronto for a live audition that eventually led to a record deal.
Chanté balanced high school and her new found career, by traveling to Toronto on weekends to begin recording for her debut album. In 2004, she moved to Toronto to better balance work and school. She chose to continue school by attending Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School, and graduated as a straight-A student with her class in 2006, her final year being with a private tutor. Mary Dickie of Elle Canada noted "Keshia Chante has led a double life: high school student by day; R&B diva/hard-nosed buisinesswoman by night." in reference to Chante's life balancing attending high school while she was promoting her album.
2003–05: Keshia Chanté (Self-Titled)
Her debut single "Shook (The Answer)" was released in early 2003, when Chante was only 14 years old. 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 #3 on both radio & video charts, she released her first video, which hit number one on YTV and the top ten on MuchMusicMuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. 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 CD 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 10 on radio and becoming the #3 video on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
for 4 weeks. The video was directed by director Little X
Little X
Julien Christian Lutz , better known as Little X, X or Director X, is a Canadian music video director. He also has his own clothing line X Fit...
. 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
Little X
Julien Christian Lutz , better known as Little X, X or Director X, is a Canadian music video director. He also has his own clothing line X Fit...
and became #2 on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
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 self-titled debut album
Keshia Chanté (album)
Keshia Chanté is a Juno Award–winning self-titled debut studio album by Canadian singer Keshia Chanté, released by BMG Canada on June 22, 2004....
. 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. In that same month, she also sang the national anthem at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.
In December 2004, Chante headlined Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for New Year's Eve. 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
Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It
Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It Tour was a massive worldwide 2005 concert tour by the reunited American female R&B trio Destiny's Child, that visited 16 countries throughout Australia, Japan, Middle East, Europe, and North America with 67 dates in total. The U.S...
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.
2006–07: 2U
After her signing, Chanté moved to New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to begin working on her second album. During that time, Chanté was on Teen People Magazines "Rock The Runway" Mall Tour (where Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
started) and Seventeen Magazine's "Rock N' Shop" Mall Tour (where Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
started). In May 2006, she posted 3 brand new songs, "Been Gone", "Kiss" and "Summer Love" on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
.
In March 2006 she released her "2U
2U (album)
2U is a two-time Juno nominated album and the second Canadian-released album from singer-songwriter Keshia Chanté, which was also slated to be released in 2006 through a new venture between Sony Urban/Epic Records and SonyBMG Canada. This was slated to be Chanté's first worldwide release...
" 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 produced 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 ask to be released from her record label. After a few months, her wish was granted and she was released from Sony BMG Canada.
MTV's "The Diary of Keshia Chante" aired in Canada December 6, 2006, showing footage following Chante as she travelled to Miami and LA working on her album.
2007-09: the Hiatus
In 2007, after her departure from Sony BMG Canada, Chanté took a brief absence from the spotlight, wanting to learn more about the music business and being mentored by respected entertainment lawyers in Hollywood and Toronto. She later made the decision to move to Atlanta and West Hollywood, where she worked closely the camps of Ne-Yo, Missy Elliott and OutKast. She began honing her skill as a songwriter and her acting chops, starring as the lead actress in the TV series "Soul".2010–present: Night & Day
Chanté signed to Universal Music Canada.In September, Chanté announced that she would release a 2 disc album titled "Night & Day
Night & Day (album)
*Tracks 1 - 7 = Night Side*Tracks 8 - 14 = Day Side...
" slated for a release in Spring 2011. One disc, titled 'Night' will be all Dance music and the other disc, titled 'Day' will be R&B, reminiscent of Chanté's first two albums. When looking for inspiration and the direction that she wanted for this album, she stated that wanted something with "no-genre", sing something that was real and to the heart. Keshia found inspiration from Brandy's Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Brandy Norwood, released by Atlantic Records on June 28, 2004 on most international territories and on June 29, 2004 in Canada and the United States...
.
In October, Chanté released two new singles, "Table Dancer" from the 'Night' side of her album and "Test Drive" from the 'Day' side. In November, the music video for "Test Drive" was released exclusively on VEVO, starring Chanté's boyfriend, NHL goalie Ray Emery
Ray Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
and endorsed by Smarties. Later the music video for "Table Dancer" was released, endorsed by Pepsi. The video is currently on the video charts climbing and has already entered into Top 10.
"Table Dancer
Table Dancer
"Table Dancer" is a Juno nominated song by Canadian recording artist Keshia Chante from her third album Night and Day. "Table Dancer" was co-written by Keshia Chante, while being produced by Alex Greggs...
" so far has reached #44 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
, accumulating an audience of over 5,000,000 and #24 on the Top 40. The single has also entered the Canadian iTunes R&B/Soul Chart and peaked at #6.
In February 2011, Chanté was nominated for two Juno Awards; R&B Recording of the Year for "Test Drive" and Dance Recording of the Year for "Table Dancer".
On February 14, 2011, Chanté revealed the cover of her new upcoming singles titled Set U Free/If U Say Keshia Chante's Photos - Wall Photos
Music and voice
Tara Henley of The Georgia StraightThe Georgia Straight
The Georgia Straight is a free Canadian weekly news and entertainment newspaper published in Vancouver, British Columbia, by the Vancouver Free Press Publishing Corp...
noted that beneath the slickly produced, hip-hop—tinged, pop veneer of tracks like "Shook (The Answer)" lies an arresting voice, magnetic charisma, and driving ambition." Denise Sheppard from Amazon.ca also noted, "[Chanté is] a teen-targeted pop phenom" whose "music has the one-two punch of melodic hooks and the voice to back them up; a combination that can and will appeal to dance/pop music fans of any age.
Chanté is artistically involved in her projects, especially in the writing process. She has received executive production credit on most of her music in which she has been involved, however she doesn't formulate beats herself, she typically comes up with melodies and ideas during production, sharing them with producers. Some of her songs are autobiographical, which she has admitted are taken from personal experiences, as well as her friends.
Chanté's music is generally contemporary R&B, but she also incorporates pop, dance and hip hop into her music.
Influences
Chanté has said to have admired and watched artists BrandyBrandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
, Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Monica, Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
, Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
, SWV
SWV
Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, is an American female R&B trio from New York. Formed in 1990 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "I'm So Into You", and "You're the One"....
, TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
growing up. She also stated her household played a lot of dancehall, reggae, soca music and fado
Fado
Fado is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. Fado historian and scholar, Rui Vieira Nery, states that "the only reliable information on the history of Fado was orally transmitted and goes back to the 1820s and 1830s at best...
, adhering to her roots.
Public Image and Personality
Chante is considered a media darling, frequently attending entertainment television shows, fashion week, and online speculation, as well as her love life. She is considered "the ultimate girl next door" with a "charismatic shy demeanor".Tara Henley of The Georgia Straight
The Georgia Straight
The Georgia Straight is a free Canadian weekly news and entertainment newspaper published in Vancouver, British Columbia, by the Vancouver Free Press Publishing Corp...
noted "The fresh-faced R&B singer--who lists shopping as one of her chief hobbies--looks pretty much like every other bright, bubbly, fashion-obsessed high-school girl out there--except for the fact that, at 16, she has already accomplished what most can only hope to achieve during an entire career."
Fashion
As Chanté 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. 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."In Canada, Chanté is considered a Fashionista
Fashionista
Fashionista or fashionistas may refer to*Fashionista , an Australian TV series*Fashionistas, an American pornographic film*The Fashionistas, minor villains in the Kim Possible series*Fashion victim, an avid follower of fashion...
by fashion's high rankings. Her style has been described as "glamorous" meets "sexy elegance" by Holt Renfrew
Holt Renfrew
Holt Renfrew is a chain of high-end Canadian department stores. It is comparable to Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States, and to two other upmarket chains owned by the same family, Britain's Selfridges and Ireland's Brown Thomas...
executives.
Chante is an avid supporter of Canadian Fashion Designers and labels. Flare Magazine has named her a "true style chameleon"
Chante regularly attends front row at Fashion Week with her outfits anticipated and documented. In 2010, she attended Evan Biddell's show and appeared in his opening runway video.
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.
Acting career
In 2006, Chanté starred as herself in the indie flick "Cats Cradle". In 2007 she had a guest starring role in "Da Kink in My Hair".In August 2008, Chanté got the lead role in a one-hour television series drama titled '"Soul", in which she played a teen conflicted about having to choose between the church choir and pop stardom. It filmed for several months in Halifax. In February 2009, Soul began to air on VisionTV throughout Canada. The series garnered interest by BET with a potential U.S air date on there network being negotiated, states executive producer Floyd Kane.
Products and endorsements
Chante has been endorsed by brands such as Pepsi, Smarties, Bell, Solo Mobile, Davids Footwear, Stila Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Ecko Red and Sony Cybershot, Sony Vaio and other Sony electronics.In 2007, it was announced that Chante would be collaborating on a diamond jewellery line with conflict-free diamond company, Polar Bear Diamonds and begin working on a perfume line.
In November 2010, Chante became the face of Pepsi and their Pepsi Refresh Project
Pepsi Refresh Project
The Pepsi Refresh Project is a 2010 initiative by PepsiCo to award $20 million in grants to individuals, businesses and non-profits that promote a new idea that has a positive impact on their community, state, or the nation...
campaign, with Pepsi presenting Chante's video "Table Dancer". Chante is the face of Ontario Tourism and sings the theme song "There's No Place Like This" in their commercials. Chanté is the face of the Sony's Cyber-Shot Digital Camera 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. Chante has collaborated with Smarties in music video "Test Drive".
Philanthropy
Chante worked closely with Alicia Keys to throw a fundraising concert to help build awareness about AIDS with the Stephen Lewis Foundation and was a part of BET'S Rap-It-Up campaign.In 2008, she visited Dominican Republic to work with World Vision. She has also been a part of three consecutive WorldVision 30 Hour Famine's and has been a part 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 programs.
She has contributed to 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
MuchDance
MuchDance is a series of pop/dance albums featuring various artists compiled, mixed and released by the Canadian television station MuchMusic, beginning in 1997...
compilations.
In November 2010, CANFAR
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research is a Canadian charitable foundation whose goal is to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS to increase funds for research. All of CANFAR’s fundraising efforts are geared towards raising money to fund Canadian HIV/AIDS research...
announced Chante as their official Youth Ambassador. She participated in World AIDS Day doing a media tour with CANFAR President Christopher Bunting.
In May, Chante travelled to Kenya with CANFAR
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research is a Canadian charitable foundation whose goal is to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS to increase funds for research. All of CANFAR’s fundraising efforts are geared towards raising money to fund Canadian HIV/AIDS research...
where she spent 10 days working with orphans who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and building with other student volunteers to help out students in classrooms in Narobi, Africa.
Personal life
Chante's currently in a relationship with NHL netminder Ray EmeryRay Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
. In June 2010, eTalk Daily and Entertainment Tonight Canada broke the news that Chante and Ray Emery
Emery
Emery may refer to:* Emery ** Emery paper** Emery board, nail filers* Emery , a post-hardcore band from Rock Hill, South Carolina* Emery Theatre, a historic multi-purpose theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio* Emery Worldwide, a cargo airline...
had began dating. Emery has been featured as the love interest in her music video for "Test Drive".
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) - Nominated
- Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (CHR) - Won
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
2005
- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year" - Won
- 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
2007
- Juno Award for "R&B/SOUL Recording Of The Year" for "Been Gone" - Nominated
2008
- Juno Award for "R&B/SOUL Recording Of The Year" for "2U" - Nominated
2011
- Juno Award for "Dance Recording Of The Year" for "Table Dancer" - Nominated
- Juno Award for "R&B/SOUL Recording Of The Year" for "Test Drive" - Nominated
Albums
- Keshia ChantéKeshia Chanté (album)Keshia Chanté is a Juno Award–winning self-titled debut studio album by Canadian singer Keshia Chanté, released by BMG Canada on June 22, 2004....
(2004) - 2U2U (album)2U is a two-time Juno nominated album and the second Canadian-released album from singer-songwriter Keshia Chanté, which was also slated to be released in 2006 through a new venture between Sony Urban/Epic Records and SonyBMG Canada. This was slated to be Chanté's first worldwide release...
(2006) - Night & DayNight & Day (album)*Tracks 1 - 7 = Night Side*Tracks 8 - 14 = Day Side...
(2011)
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
|||||||||
| 2003 | "Shook (The Answer)" | 10 | |||||||
| "Unpredictable" | 2 | ||||||||
| 2004 | "Bad Boy" | 10 | |||||||
| "Does He Love Me?" (feat. Foxy Brown) | 5 | ||||||||
| "Let the Music Take You" | 10 | ||||||||
| 2005 | "Come Fly With Me" (Promo) |
98 | |||||||
| 2006 | "Ring the Alarm" (Charity Single) | 20 | |||||||
| "Been Gone Been Gone "Been Gone" is the second single from Canadian R&B/hip hop singer Keshia Chanté's second studio album 2U. The single was partially written by Chanté and produced by Philadelphia production company The Matrax. The music video premiered on MuchMusic at 5:00pm on September 14, 2006... " |
10 | ||||||||
| "2U 2U (song) "2U" is the third single from Keshia Chante's second album, 2U. The song was produced by Matrax. The song was released in early November on Keshia's MySpace, and the video was shot on October 22. The song reached number fourteen on the Canadian singles charts.The song is currently available for... " |
14 | ||||||||
| 2007 | "Fallen" (feat Freeway) | 98 | |||||||
| "Test Drive" | 2010 | — | Night & Day Night & Day (album) *Tracks 1 - 7 = Night Side*Tracks 8 - 14 = Day Side... |
||||||
| "Table Dancer Table Dancer "Table Dancer" is a Juno nominated song by Canadian recording artist Keshia Chante from her third album Night and Day. "Table Dancer" was co-written by Keshia Chante, while being produced by Alex Greggs... " |
2011 | 44 | |||||||
| "Set U Free" | 84 | ||||||||
| Shooting Star | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||