Interview with Kyera Keenne

Kyera, a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, currently resides in New York. She is no stranger to the entertainment industry. As an established television writer, she worked on hit shows such as “The Jamie Foxx Show,” The PJ’s” (starring Eddie Murphy), “Third Watch,” “My Wife and Kids,” and “Single Ladies.”

Her love of music took over. Kyera is a songwriter, singer, and vocalist. Her unforgettable sound is felt in the depths of your soul. Everyday sounds, from the ringing of a telephone – to a sweeping broom, translated into music and rhythm, inspiring her to sing and dance to the symphony surrounding her environment.

Tell us a bit about your company and why you do what you do.

I’m a singer-songwriter composer and have been creating in this area since the age of 7. However, growing up in a “practical” middle class family, where you get an “A” in band and orchestra, but you don’t go and be a musician, I kept my love and passion for creating music as a side hobby. I have always been in tune with the effects that music has on me, whether a song being a trusted best friend who I could count on to get me through hard times, or if a song just served as part of the soundtrack of my life. Either way, it was all about the emotional effect music had on me. Having adolescent insecurities coupled with the lack of musical support in my home, I had never really put myself and my music out there until decades later. A friend had asked me to fill in as a model for her charity fashion show. During one of the rehearsals, this friend knew I wrote music and asked me to sing something to her. Note, growing up, I was told I have a bad singing voice as my voice was nothing like the voices heard on the radio, but this didn’t bother me too much as I could write for other people. It took a lot of encouragement for my fashion designer friend to coax me into singing something right there on the spot. As I sang, her eyes began to well up and by the end she was crying. She exclaimed that my voice was beautiful and no one should ever sing my songs but me. I was so gratified that something I wrote and sang had an emotional effect on another. She asked me to be the opening act for the fashion show and I agreed. The night of the show, it took about 10 seconds for me to get comfortable, but when I did, I owned the space; it was my opportunity to see how big of an effect I could create. The moment the song ended, I received this roaring standing ovation! Camera flashes flickering. I was like, “Okay, this is what I do! This right here is what I do.” The name of my company is KV Entertainment. KV stands for Kye Visceral.

What makes your business different to any others doing a similar thing?

I am difficult to classify as an artist as I am eclectic and express myself through many genres, sometimes mixing genres; currently my rock anthem “Passion” featuring Carlos Santana has been remixed and now features viral Afrobeats rapper, Goya Menor “Passion Amapiano Remix.” The thing that unites my brand is my voice, style and intensity. I grew up in an African American family that, as my brother and I coined, “Was not straight R & B.” My first influences were Queen, David Bowie and KISS. Later I began to listen to and love artists like Nina Simone (who also has a visceral voice), Roberta Flack and Al Green. Currently there are many R&B, hip hop and latin artists who I love and listen to, but the bulk of my music library is alternative rock artists. I have a great appreciation for classical music and I’m passionate about drumming, tribal chanting and Afrobeats. This potpourri of influence is what makes me stand out – I am far from Straight R & B.

Passion Remix video shoot green screen 1

As a public figure, how do you think being hailed as a role model impacts on others and what pressure does it put on you?

I think consistency is important; you are not going to see me promoting drugs or promiscuity and then giving inspirational talks at high schools. Being a role model does not put pressure on me as I’m not a role model for others’ approval, I’m just true to myself – so I never have to worry about a picture being taken of me doing something that I wouldn’t promote to high school students.

If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

Creating timeless music that positively impacted the world. Like I think this could be said about someone like Michael Jackson.

How do you cope with stress?

I go outside and take a walk, but while walking (this is important) I’m not in my head. I’m not chewing on problems. Rather, I’m looking outward at the things in my environment; looking at buildings, trees, flowers and even people. This creates a calmer space in my own universe and I usually come up with bright ideas for effectively handling whatever situation has me stressed. When I’m able to look at things (not just see them because my eyes are open) I’m more able to look at problems. When I can look at problems, it’s less of a problem. When I sit and think about the problem, I become the problem. So I just get outside and walk and look.

If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?

I would have created bands and spent time playing gigs with them. Instead I’ve been a one woman band or collaborated with producers who had already composed the music for me. I’m actually working on this now, assembling a band so I have a unit to work and record with.

What is one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with most strongly?

Failure is not an option. That puts a lot of pressure on never failing and can cause people to not attempt to go for big dreams out of fear of failure. But failure is an option, and it’s okay. Anyone who is successful has failed many times. You just don’t make the failure mean anything other than looking at the lesson to be learned, shifting your viewpoint as needed and doing things differently. Failure never defines you, unless you use it to define you.

What is the most useless talent you have?

I juggle. In sixth grade I joined my elementary school’s juggling club. I still have my juggling pins in my office. I was able to ride a unicycle and juggle torches. For me, remembering how to ride a unicycle is NOT like riding a bike; I tried and almost busted my butt. I’m sure if I tried a few more times it would come back, but… no thank you.

If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and your superhero name?

The ability to move at the speed of light or slow down so others were moving at the speed of light compared to me. I think most dangerous situations can be handled with this. My name would be Velocity Valentina.

If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?

Personality wise, Sandra Bullock. I can be pretty playful and quirky, but I also have a badass, get it done and glamorous side.

What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?

Bread, pasta, french fries, pizza… anything that’s a real carb – I’m Keto. Ohhh really good stuffing!

What makes you nostalgic?

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana; I remember when I first heard that song at a party at the University of Michigan. The energy that exploded from my body while dancing was electric and every time I hear it, I dance in some way; even if sitting in a chair. And Rice Crispy Treats; again back to the college days – my mom made the BEST RCTs and all my friends in my dorm couldn’t not wait for one of my mom’s care packages as they knew they’d be munching on chewy, crispy peanut butter yumminess. My mom recently passed and just typing this about her magical RCTs warms my heart. Miss her.

Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?

Dragons. They have this aesthetic quality to them.

If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t be concerned with what other people are doing, you do you!

passion cover — Cover Design: Denali Ink. Photo credit: Troy Jensen

Kyera Slays Her Debut Single “Passion” Featuring Music Icons Carlos Santana and Narada Michael Walden

Passion” is Kyera’s first studio single from her upcoming album. The lyrics of “Passion” carries the message much like an anthem to empower people to be courageous and believe in themselves. The track, composed by Walden, is powerful and evokes a sound made to fill up big spaces and ascend to the universe from an amphitheater such as the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.