She
is a rising star in the States and has worked with a heap of big names,
including Cassidy, Alicia Keys and most recently super producer Scott
Storch, but right now, North London's finest, Keisha White, who has been
compared to Ms Dynamite and often called 'the great White hope' is staying in
the UK to finish what she started and ride the wave of wonderful praise she's
been receiving ever since the release of her debut album, 'Seventeen'
early last year. In an industry that's lacking in sparkle and originality and with her polished, highly accomplished vocals, a soulful vibe, a down to earth persona and a love for songs that stand the test of time, it's not hard to see why Keisha White is one British artist that we should take notice of and not let go without a fight.
What have you been up to lately?
I just came off the Craig David tour not too long ago and I’m now on the road with UB40 doing a couple of their dates which should be cool. I haven’t met them yet but I’m doing my first date with them today. In the mean time my album’s getting all done up and stuff so it’s been quite busy.
Why was Don’t Mistake Me chosen for the next single?
I think it was just a step up from Weakness In Me. It had a bigger audience and appealed to more people, not just the R&B heads and street teams. I wanted to open up more doors for myself and so far it’s being perceived really well.
Do you think there’s a ballad you can sing that will top The Weakness In Me?
Yeah! There’s actually one on my album called It Takes A Stronger Man, it’s fantastic. It shows the levels that I can reach, it will definitely be big competition for Weakness.
How do people abroad respond to you and your music?
I’m looking to go back to America soon but while things are picking up in the UK I will be staying here for promotion and stuff. Funnily enough when I went to America they thought I was really good and couldn’t believe I was British. The fact they respected me and my music was good because it was like showcasing UK talent while I was out there.
You’re all about singing live, what’s your favourite song to sing live from the album?
There’s a track called Out Of My Hands. It’s kind of symbolic because throughout my career I’ve had ups and downs. It’s basically me saying “what will be, will be, it’s out of my hands.” I really love performing it, it’s magical.
What has really influenced your singing style and the songs you like to sing?
What’s behind me is definitely my friends and family that keep pushing me and have always challenged. Whenever I think I’m good or at my peak they keep telling me I have to do better, I think that’s what keeps me going.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future if you had the chance?
I’d love to do a collab with Stevie Wonder, he’s cool! There are no collaborations on the album because I want people to get a feel of my style and what I’m about. The album is for people to get to know me better so I didn’t have any collabs on this one.
Which artists are you listening to at the moment?
The last album I got was the Mary J. Blige album which I thought was really good. I’m actually listening to Rihanna’s album at the moment, also Lemar’s album because I think it’s good but I don’t really hear much about him.
You had an appearance in Catwoman with Halle Berry, is acting something you’d like to pursue further?
No…I’m not a good actress! It’s so cliché but I don’t want to say “I’m a singer, now come and look at me in a film.” It’s not really a priority for me right now.
What’s been your greatest achievement so far?
I think it would have to be working on the Catwoman thing. Alicia Keys was meant to do it so when I got the call I was overwhelmed. It’s definitely one of the top things I’ve done.
What do you think the UK music scene is missing?
We need more raw music. Music that’s not just done in the studio, we need to bring back live music and instruments. Also, being able to listen to some tracks and want to see the artist live because of the drums or because of the brass section. I don’t think real musicians get rated as well as the singers.
Why do you think UK artists don’t get enough support?
What a lot of UK artists fail to do is to be original; they are always trying to be like somebody out there. We look up to the Americans too much because they are so dominating. We fail to realise that just being British is a great thing, we have a lot of raw talent but we tend to grow towards what is viable. We had garage and that died down, now we have grime, if we carry on doing what Americans don’t do we’ll make it. I get quite a few calls to do some grime tracks, I’ve done one with Street Politiks but it has to be the right track.
What is your main goal for this year?
I want my album to be Top 10; my main priority is to have my album listened to. I will be previewing some tracks at the Jazz Café on 26th June. I like to test things at home first to see if the people are feeling my music or not.
The album “Out Of My Hands” is released 3rd July 2006
www.keishawhite.co.uk
By Rashmi Shastri - Jun 2006