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Keshia Chanté

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Keshia Chanté

Keshia Chanté (pronounced /ki.ʃə.ʃɑːn.teɪ/ key-sha-shawn-tay) (born Keshia Chanté Harper on June 16, 1988) is a Canadian Juno Award-winning critically acclaimed, singer, songwriter, actress,[3], Fashionista[4] and Ford model. She signed to Sony BMG Canada at the age of 13[5][6] and as a result has released 2 major successful albums, and released 10 hit singles in Canada.[2]

Chanté has been honoured with many awards and nominations, such as "Best New Artist" at the Canadian Radio Awards and Urban Music Awards, as well as "Video of the Year", "Fans Choice" and "Sexiest Female Artist".[7]

She is best known as the Canadian "Princess of Pop"[8][9] for 8 of her #1 radio hits, such as, "Shook (The Answer)", "Unpredictable", "Bad Boy", "Does He Love Me", "Let The Music Take You", "Ring The Alarm", "Been Gone" and "2U".

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 media attention surrounding her personal life.

Chanté is scheduled to portray the late singer Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic and is currently working on her third album The Vendetta slated for spring 2010[11]. In 2004, Her resemblance to the late singer was noted and discovered by Missy Elliott.[12][13]

Biography

1988–2003: Early life

Keshia Chanté was born in Ottawa, Ontario and she went to St. Peter Catholic High School and then moved to a suburb of Toronto,[14] Brampton, Ontario at the age of 14. She then attended Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School, and graduated as a straight-A student with her class in 2007.[6] Her father is of Trinidadian descent and her mother is of Portuguese and Puerto Rican descent.[1][15]

In 1994, at the age of six, Chante began singing for the first time. Her first performance was Dear Mama by Tupac Shakur. The performance was taped, and seven years later passed on to a DJ who handed it off to a talent scout at SonyBMG.[2]

Chanté cites Tupac Shakur[14][16] as her idol, with Beyoncé,[17] Aaliyah[18] and Christina Aguilera[17] as her early childhood musical influences. For fashion inspirations, Chanté cites Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace.[16]

2003-2005: Keshia Chanté

Main article: Keshia Chanté (album)

Her debut "Shook (The Answer)" appeared in early 2003. 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 #1 on both radio & video charts,[7] 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 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 5 on radio and becoming the #1 video on MuchMusic for 4 weeks. The video was directed by director Little X.[19]

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 #1 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 debut album 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.[20] In that same month, she also sang the national anthem at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.[7]

In November 2004, Chante did her first American interview with BET's Rated Next[21] and performed with Alicia Keys.[22]

In December 2004, Chante headlined Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for New Year's Eve.[22]

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.[23]

2006-2007: 2U

Main article: 2U (album)

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[2] 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 back away from her album and begin working on a new one, which is her upcoming third album.[24]

2008–present: New albums and films

In August 2008, Chante got the lead role in a television series titled "Soul", which they began filming for several months in Halifax. Chante's upcoming third album is confirmed to be titled The Vendetta. Chante will also play the leading role as Aaliyah in a 2011 biopic film. The movie is titled Aaliyah.[25]

Products and endorsements

Chante is the face of Ontario Tourism and sings the theme song "There's No Place Like This" in their commercials.[18] 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.[26]

Acting

In 2006, Chanté starred as herself in the indie flick "Cats Cradle".[13] In 2007 she had a guest starring role in "Da Kink in My Hair".[13] In August 2008, Chanté began filming Soul, a television series in which she stars as "Mahalia". In February 2009, Soul began to air on VisionTV throughout Canada.[27] It was finalized, reported, and confirmed that Chanté would star as Aaliyah in the upcoming biopic of the late singer's life.[13][28]

Personal life

Fashion Image

As Chanté has 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.[29] 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.[30] Her style has been described as "glamourous" meets "sexy elegance" by Holt Renfrew executives.[30]

She commonly gets crowned best dressed for her high fashion looks seen on red carpets and events. She frequently is seen in Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Valentino, famously wearing two dresses worth $20,000[8] crystal jewel encrusted[8] to the 2007 Canadian Juno Awards.[8]

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.[31]

Philanthropy

Chante worked closely with Alicia Keys to throw a fundraising concert to help build awareness about AIDS with the Stephen Lewis Foundation[32][33] and was apart of BET'S Rap-It-Up campaign.

She has also helped build awareness about children affected by war in third world countries with 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 2008, she visited Dominican Republic to work with World Vision.[34][35] She has also been apart of three consecutive WorldVision 30 Hour Famine's and has been apart 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[36].

Public Image

In May 2009 was involved in a minor car accident.[37]

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[38]
  • Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (CHR) - Won[38]

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
  • Chart Poll Awards - won Golden Toque Award and Throw Your Underwear Female Award categories[39]

2005

  • Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year" - Won[40]
  • 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
  • 10th Annual Chartattack Award - "Sexiest Female" - Won
  • 10th Annual Chartattack Award - "Best Album" - Won

2006

  • Yahoo Music Canada Online Award for Best Canadian Video for "Been Gone" - Won
  • Sony Ericsson Stylus Award for R&B Single of the Year for "Ring The Alarm" - Nominated[41]

2007

  • MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Pop Video" for "2U" - Nominated[42]
  • Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recoding Of The Year" for "Been Gone" - Nominated[40]

2008

  • Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recoding Of The Year" for "2U" - Nominated

Trivia

  • Her middle name "Chanté" means "sung" in French.
  • Her website hit 1 million hits in a matter of a few months from its launch, becoming the top website for Sony BMG Canada

Discography

Singles

Year Single Peak positions
CAN
2003 "Shook (The Answer)" 10
"Unpredictable"1 1
2004 "Bad Boy"1 1
"Does He Love Me?" (feat. Foxy Brown)1 1 [43]
"Let the Music Take You"1 5
2005 "Come Fly With Me"
(Promo) 		4
2006 "Ring the Alarm" (Charity Single) 8
"Been Gone"1 6
"2U"1 4
2007 "Fallen" (feat Freeway) 98

[44][45]

References

  1. ^ a b c Liu, Karon (2007-10-09). ""My Toronto: Keshia Chante"". National Post. Retrieved 2009-02-28. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d dancerKeshia Chante getting big push in U.S., jam.canoe
  3. ^ ttp://www.halifaxfilm.com/node/63 MAHALIA - A New Family Drama Series From Halifax Film]
  4. ^ www.myspace.com/keshiachante
  5. ^ Keshia Chante inspires students, Kathy Rumleski, Sun Media
  6. ^ a b Keshia Chante shrugs off 'role model' label, Canadian Press, Dec. 4, 2006
  7. ^ a b c Keshia Chante to Aing National Anthem at Grey Cup OttawaStart, October 23, 2004
  8. ^ a b c d A high five for Nelly Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen April 2, 2007 Cite error: The named reference "www2.canada.com" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ Pop singer returns home to deliver important message to local students, Fred Sherwin, Orléans Online
  10. ^ http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/chante_keshia/artist.jhtml
  11. ^ www.keshiachante.com
  12. ^ Henley, Tara (2004-09-09). "Keshia Chanté Handles Success Like A Veteran". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2009-12-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b c d Olsen, Michelle (2008-12-18). "Keshia Chante to play Aaliyah in biopic". National Post. Retrieved 2009-12-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b Keshia Chante Biography, Maplemusic.com
  15. ^ http://www.myspace.com/keshiachante
  16. ^ a b http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/Soul+sister/Interviews/Insider/Articles/090209_keshia_chante_soul_MH.htm?isfa=1
  17. ^ a b http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/kch/bio.asp
  18. ^ a b http://swaymag.ca/fall2008/music1.php
  19. ^ The Official Little X Website
  20. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1098413259343_68/?hub=Entertainment
  21. ^ http://www.chumfm.com/Music/Artist/ArtistProfile.aspx?ID=72176
  22. ^ a b Keshia Chante ready to heat up Ottawa, An Marie McQueen, Ottawa Sun
  23. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050927/urban_awards_050927/20050927?hub=Entertainment
  24. ^ http://www.thestar.com/article/585495
  25. ^ http://KeshiaChante.com
  26. ^ http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20050719/solo.html
  27. ^ Saxberg, Feb 10 2009
  28. ^ Harling, Danielle (2009-01-26). "Aaliyah Biopic In The Works". Black Entertainment Television.
  29. ^ http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16226,00.html
  30. ^ a b http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini/CTVNews/1111865215079_21/?s_name=junos2005&no_ads=box
  31. ^ http://www.yorkdale.com/dreamteam.asp
  32. ^ http://www.aegis.com/news/ads/2004/AD042448.html
  33. ^ http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/plocal/CTVNews/20041129/alicia_keys_aids_041129/20041129/?hub=TorontoHome
  34. ^ http://www.worldvision.ca/About-Us/Our-Celebrities/Pages/More-Celebrities-That-Support-World-Vision.aspx
  35. ^ http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20630.aspx
  36. ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Chante_Keshia/2007/03/01/3680550.html
  37. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091121/chante_hoax_091121/20091121?hub=TopStoriesV2
  38. ^ a b http://www.cmw.net/cmw2004/presscrma.htm
  39. ^ "Keshia Chante Plays Show For 30 Hour Famine Participants". Chart. 2005-03-07. Retrieved 2009-07-05. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ a b http://www.junoawards.ca/PDF/20070228b.pdf
  41. ^ http://boards.muchmusic.com/printthread.php?Board=UBB30&main=1737077&type=post
  42. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/05/23/mmva-noms.html
  43. ^ http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/word_music/KeshiaSpr05.jsp
  44. ^ http://www.theagencygroup.com/artist.aspx?ArtistID=2163
  45. ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Chante_Keshia/2006/12/02/2591628.html
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