/ˈKIːBƏ/ N.
A musical goddess
Born and raised on a small island of West Indian traditions, KEBA’s earliest influences included Calypso, Soca & REGGAE music. Through her parents’ eclectic vinyl collection, keba also grew to appreciate the sounds of the diaspora from the supremes to her namesake, miriam makeba. ULTIMATELY, Discovering her own voice became a way for keba to connect with the world and cultivate self confidence.
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Like many immigrant families, the pursuit of career opportunities in America signaled a new beginning and shift in identity. For KEBA that meant completing a degree in Chemistry and applying to medical school. But as her own identity began to emerge, she chose to redirect her path and ignore the expectations of those who told her it was impractical to have a full-time music career. After completing degrees in both Chemistry and Vocal Performance, KEBA juggled 3 jobs and an internship to invest in her own music studio.
In 2013, she debuted Wildfire, her first studio project, which she composed in collaboration with producer Erik Nunez and released under their independent label, Labrat Music. This was just the beginning of KEBA’s story as an independent artist. She developed a global sound, earning international recognition for her original songs at several songwriting competitions. As a vocalist, composer and producer, KEBA’s artistry has been inspired by generations of female powerhouses from Diana Ross to Lauryn Hill and Beyonce. Her music is a sensual fusion of Pop, R&B and Caribbean Soul, accented with melodic basslines, exotic rhythms and theatrical climaxes.
KEBA’s thrilling vocals and electrifying stage presence deliver live shows that move audiences to their feet. She made her international stage debut as an opening act for Jill Scott and Kool & the Gang at the 2015 Tobago Jazz Experience. And In 2016, she embarked on a European tour of Portugal, France, England and Spain. In 2018, she released her solo EP, FILMSTRIP and in 2019, she released Live from the Dungeon, a video EP filmed with her band, The Usual Suspects. From the US to the West Indies, she has performed at world-renowned venues such as The Adrienne Arsht Center, Fenway Park, Bimini World Resort, Virginia Key Grassroots Festival and Tobago Jazz Festival.
After the pandemic surfaced in 2020, KEBA seized the opportunity to explore multimedia music projects. At her home studio, she recorded and produced her singles, Pillow Talk, Somebody and Loco for the Coco; songs which began as demos on her phone and culminated in short films released over the years to follow. She also diversified her talents to work with major brands like Smirnoff Vodka and organizations like The United States Agency for International Development, as a voice over-artist/producer on their advertising campaigns.
As KEBA develops her own skills and savvy as a music entrepreneur, she continues to advocate for others in the industry. Committed to a future where women create social and financial impact through music, she founded The Bad Mama Jama Project, an artist empowerment collective for female musicians. As KEBA evolves, so does her unfiltered honesty about the complexities of being a woman. Just as she finds strength in her femininity, KEBA’s work inspires other women to embrace their power, and uplift their community as they pursue their own dreams.