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Singer Keke Wyatt talks domestic violence, new album + details on a reality show!?

S. Ann Johnson's photo
Baltimore Performing Arts Examiner

 

I'll keep an old candy-coated ' valentine'

Memories of you, you when you were mine

A tarnished ring on a tarnished chain

Times keep changing, come sun or rain

Just thinking about Keke Wyatt’s rifts on the 2001 smash hit “My First Love” is sure to give anyone chills. Nine years later, Wyatt is still delivering powerful vocals on her newly released album Who Knew? on indie label Shanachie Records. Last night, the Atlanta-based singer held an album release/ listening party at Clutch Lounge in Baltimore—but not before chit-chating with your Baltimore Performing Arts Examiner. 
 
You recorded your certified gold debut album Soul Sista is just two weeks. How long in the making was Who Knew?
 
I have to say it was all done before it got to the label. It was just a matter of putting it together and packaging it from November until now.
 
Editor’s Note: Wyatt signed with Shanachie Records less than three months ago, and already has an album released. You go, girl!
 
How heavy of a hand do you have in writing the songs on your albums?
 
I had no hand in that one (Soul Sista); both hands in this one (Who Knew?)
 
Do you consider yourself a traditional R&B singer?
 
What do you mean by traditional?
 
I mean traditional as opposed to contemporary R&B that has more of a pop element.
 
Oh, yeah. I’m traditional R&B.
 
How do you think your album— with a more traditional feel— matches up to the chart- topping R&B artists of today?
 
[My music] doesn’t match at all [be]cause that’s not R&B. R&B is rhythm and blues. And that’s (contemporary R&B) so not rhythm and blues.
 
Why did you decide to remake Rachelle Ferrell’s “Peace on Earth”?
 
Crazy crap going on in the world. I was like ‘You know what? Somebody needs to sing about this. Somebody needs to talk about this.’


What is your favorite track on the album?

“Daydreaming” and “Weakest”

Any particular reason why?

“Daydreaming” is real. Everybody goes through it, and “Weakest” is another side of me that people have never seen before. It’s more of a sexier side.

If you could do it over, what would you do differently in your musical career?

I would change allowing people into my personal life because they just ran me in the mud, slandered my name, and didn’t even know the situation.

When you say people, are you referring to media, the industry, family?

I mean haters, period. People with their opinion. Thank God it wasn’t bloggers back then. I would just be [considered] a “demon” and I’m simply trying to save my life and I’m being looked at as a monster. Instead of people supporting me, getting behind me, helping me. I wish that I never opened up to people.

People would have jokes. I would go to dinner and people would be like ‘Ut-oh, let’s move the knives. Keke is here.’ That sh*t’s not funny. That was a very depressing time in my life and you’re making a joke out of it? I ought to just slap the sh*t out of you. But I can’t just do that. But if it was you what would you do? Would you slap the sh*t out of them?

People are so cruel. I wish I never said anything or opened up. That’s one thing I definitely would change if I could.

Editor’s note: In December of 2001, Wyatt stabbed her husband and manager Rahmat Morton during a domestic dispute but was acquitted of second degree assault on March 25, 2002. Wyatt admits to having been the victim of domestic violence for the past 10 years. Morton and Wyatt share three children and are currently going through a divorce.

Keke Wyatt’s sophomore album Who Knew? is available in stores and online. Look out for a reality show in the future. Wyatt’s manager informed me that they are currently shopping around the idea to different networks. The reality show will follow Wyatt’s family life (She is a domestic violence survivor, half white and half black/Indian. According to Essence, her white mother uses the “N” word without malice or shame—this could be juicy!).

Shout out to Gypy Soul for coordinating this interview and hosting Keke Wyatt in Baltimore for the Soundcheck Series!

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, Baltimore Performing Arts Examiner

S. Ann Johnson is a print journalist, creative writer, professional editor, and performing artist. As a native Baltimorean, her articles will reflect Charm City's urban arts. Send information about your event or endeavor here.

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