2004-08-29 ::
Urban Music's Canadian Hopeful: Keshia Chante
 
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Slain legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has inspired many young males to invest their time in music rather than street life but rarely has his influence knowingly spread to women.

But it was Tupac’s hit “Dear Mama” that inspired then-six-year-old Keshia Chante. She became a young fan of the rapper and music in general. Now at 15, Chante’s powerhouse voice is rapidly earning her the attention to match her immense talent. Riding high on the waves of the recent release of her self-titled debut album, Chante already has a few hit singles with “Shook - The Answer” and “Unpredictable.” Prior to the album’s release, both landed in the Top 10 on Canadian radio charts. Despite her young age, her lyrics are filled with experience about love and relationships gone wrong.

A mature Chante manages to balance her flourishing career with normal teen life, which includes attending a regular Catholic high school in Toronto, Canada and hanging with friends. The Canadian artist was raised in Ottawa but moved to Toronto with her mother while recording her album to launch her career. Toronto is considered a Canadian hotbed for urban music.

The move proved a good one as she has already won Canadian urban awards, has met superstars like Missy Elliott and Kanye West and recorded with Foxy Brown, Jully Black, Esthero and Graph Nobel. Foxy’s brother Young Gavin produced the 15 songs on Chante’s self-titled debut.

Our Thoughts

Keshia Chante is recognized around Toronto and we expect it is only a matter of time before Americans recognize her also. She has already been compared with the late-great Aaliyah.