SRI MAGAZINE FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
Her Story This past spring, we had the opportunity to hear the soulful sounds of Gifted Keys. After listening to her voice, we knew SHE was someone our readers needed to know more about. We reached out to her with a few questions we thought inquiring minds may want to know. She graciously welcomed the opportunity to share who SHE is with SRI Magazine.
SRI Magazine: When did you begin your singing career? Since the age of 6, singing has chosen me. In my beginner years, I was a part of a girl singing group, “2 Apart”, with my cousins. We were all 2 years apart in age and I was the youngest. In 8th grade, I had a music teacher by the name of Mrs. James, who asked permission from my parents to take me to church with her to sing while she played piano. I also come from a musical family. Both maternal & paternal. As a young teen, I involved myself in church choir, school choirs and sang amongst my friends.
Photographer: Jason McCoy
"I must have the same courage I had 7 years ago, to go deeper into the calling God has called on my life to be a vessel of faith, perseverance and most importantly grace". GIFTED KEYS
I occasionally was asked to sing at funerals at this age as well. Singing had always been an outlet from experiencing hair loss due to Alopecia Areata (autoimmune disease). Having alopecia taught me to be empathetic towards people. I believe the gift of singing/performing requires an empathetic heart… To sing from soul to soul. Learning that aspect, started early thoughts on the idea of a singing career. So, I’d say 20+ years has cultivated the skill to be able to have a singing career. Professionally, I’ve been at this for 7 years! In my early 20’s, I’d garnished over 1.3 million views singing Erykah Badu’s “On & On”, on Facebook within a week's time. I believe the online performance went viral due to my unique aesthetic, because I was bald. That was actually the first time I’d put any singing video out there with a bald shave. I knew God had shown me that this was where he wanted me. To sing but do it showing the effects of having Alopecia; To perform BALD. When people from all over the world wrote to me asking if I had music and where could they purchase/listen?!
I knew it was something there... Something in me said, go for it! I’d put out a project, “The Unknown Agenda”, not long after that. The Unknown Agenda was created from poetry, warm tones and scatting. I didn’t quite know what I was doing in the moment of creating but I wanted to at least try. I’ve performed those songs I created to many people online and in person over the years. I’m so grateful that people out there have taken the time out to listen, purchase tickets to shows, and continuously support me by cheering me along the way and providing opportunity! I’ve had opportunities like opening up for Chrisette Michele, Assembling Background Vocals for Lupe Fiasco, Roles in Musical Theater and even performed with a 16-piece orchestra!
