| Keshia Chanté | |
|---|---|
Chanté at the Opening Celebration of the Cavalcade Of Lights in November 2009. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Keshia Chanté Harper |
| Born | June 16, 1988 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Genres | R&B, pop, dance |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, model, actress |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Sony Music Canada (2003-2007) Sony Urban Music (2006-2007) Universal Music Canada (2010-present) [2] |
| Website | keshiachante.com |
Keshia Chanté (born Keshia Chanté Harper on June 16, 1988) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, model, and actress.[3] She signed to BMG Music Canada at the age of 14[4][5] and has released two albums.[6]
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".[7] She has had six Top Ten singles at radio.[8][9] She is known in the U.S. for her "Bad Boy" video that was in heavy rotation on BET,[10] 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".[11]
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Keshia Chanté was born in Ottawa, Ontario on June 16, 1988 to a father of Trinidadian descent and a mother of Portuguese descent.[1][12] She is an only child.[13] 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.[14] 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.[5] 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.[9]
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,[15] 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 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.[16] 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.[14] In that same month, she also sang the national anthem at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.[7]
In December 2004, Chante headlined Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for New Year's Eve.[17] 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.[18]
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 produced[6] 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.[19] 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.[9]
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".[20][21]
Chanté signed to Universal Music Canada. 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".[11] 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
Tara Henley of The Georgia Straight 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."[22] 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.[23] 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.
Chanté has said to have admired and watched artists Brandy, Aaliyah, Christina Aguilera, Monica, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Destiny's Child, SWV, TLC, Coldplay growing up.[24] She also stated her household played a lot of dancehall, reggae, soca music and fado, adhering to her roots.[25]
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".[24] 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."
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 by fashion's high rankings.[26] Her style has been described as "glamorous" meets "sexy elegance" by Holt Renfrew executives.[26] Chante is an avid supporter of Canadian Fashion Designers and labels. Flare Magazine has named her a "true style chameleon"[27] 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.[28] 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.[29]
In 2006, Chanté starred as herself in the indie flick "Cats Cradle".[30] In 2007 she had a guest starring role in "Da Kink in My Hair".[30] 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.[31]
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.[32] 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.[33][34] Chanté is the face of the Sony's Cyber-Shot Digital Camera[1] 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.[35] Chante has collaborated with Smarties in music video "Test Drive".
Chante worked closely with Alicia Keys to throw a fundraising concert to help build awareness about AIDS with the Stephen Lewis Foundation[36][37] and was a part of BET'S Rap-It-Up campaign. In 2008, she visited Dominican Republic to work with World Vision.[38][39] 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.[40] 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.[41] 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.[42]
Chante's currently in a relationship with NHL netminder Ray Emery. 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".[43][44][45][46][47]
2003
2004
2005
2007
2008
2011
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [50] |
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| 2003 | "Shook (The Answer)" | 10 | Keshia Chanté | ||||||
| "Unpredictable" | 2 | ||||||||
| 2004 | "Bad Boy" | 10 | |||||||
| "Does He Love Me?" | 5 | ||||||||
| "Let the Music Take You" | 10 | ||||||||
| 2005 | "Come Fly With Me" (Promo) |
98 | |||||||
| 2006 | "Ring the Alarm" (Charity Single) | 20 | 2U | ||||||
| "Been Gone" | 10 | ||||||||
| "2U" | 14 | ||||||||
| 2007 | "Fallen" (feat Freeway) | 98 | |||||||
| 2010 | "Test Drive" | — | Night & Day | ||||||
| 2011 | "Table Dancer" | 44 | |||||||
| "Set U Free" | 84 | ||||||||
| "Shooting Star" | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||
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