Kekell Sá: Tempered Steel
A Look at Kekell’s Latest Release: My Head A few years ago, I was introduced to a dynamic and talented woman named Kekell Sá. As an artist, she dances across genres and cultures, moving effortlessly from R&B to hip-hop, Brazilian Samba to American dance pop. She is a natural in every skin she wears as if she is defying you to place any label on her other than “star.” 1
Back in 2010, Kekell made a video for her single, “Bad Boy.” In the video, she plays a strikingly elegant dominatrix-type character dressed in “Bad Boy” black with waist-length blonde hair who utilizes an impressive array of chains and other bondage paraphernalia to exact a tantalizing revenge on her captive boy toy. The video definitely contains a risqué edge, but Kekell has described it as “fun,” a playful take on “punishing” a “bad boy.” *** The video to “My Zamba” was released in the spring of 2011. This time the artist sported darker hair and a brilliantly colored wardrobe that paraded the exuberance of traditional Samba “My Zamba” merged with modern pop! In a dizzying cascade of panache rivaling the celebratory carnival gala atmosphere of Mardi Gras, the scintillating Brazilian artist managed to capture the attention of a worldwide audience.
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Over her career, the aspect vital to Kekell’s appeal, success, and growth has been her devotion to expressing what’s going on inside of her. Even though the two videos cited are vastly different, portraying two nearly polar persona’s, both were inspired and nourished by the intoxicating truth of the now. As a star, Kekell doesn’t just twinkle, she burns with a scorching, nova-burst of passion. There is a dazzling vibrancy and contagious zeal for life which fuels everything that she does. As an artist, Kekell jumps in with both feet, utterly immersing herself in the moment. Kekell has the enviable ability to express herself with a bold, robust flourish of flamboyant style. The artist’s latest release is a collaboration with D.J. Disco Killah. There is something a little different on these tracks, something more than Disco Killah’s solid, steel-willed grooves. There is an edge to Kekell that is a little more hard core than anything she’s done before. An impressive strength and certainty fortify her vocals. Though the music is club-driven, she proclaims the lyrics and propels the melody with all the intensity of a rock anthem! An invigorating, adrenalin-surge of pure-passion, Kekell performs with a commanding resolve. *** Kekell was gracious enough to take time away from celebrating the release of My Head (featuring “My Head” and “Unbreakable”) to get us caught up on her career. Songwriter’s Monthly: What, if anything, has changed for you since we last communicated? Kekell Sá: A lot has changed! I am now living and pursuing my career in Brazil. I am doing a lot of TV appearances and shows. The Brazilian crowd is very energetic! The kind of music I do here is considered very different, so the gigs are amazing!
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SM: How did you end up collaborating with DJ Disco Killah? KS: I met him online. We got in touch and he sent me some beats. It took me five hours to write and record the first tune. I sent it to him and he loved it, so we kept making tunes back to back! We have about five that are ready to release. SM: How does the collaboration work? KS: The process is all done via the internet: he sends me the beats, I write and record, then send it to him to get it mixed and mastered. SM: Was "My Head" inspired by something that happened to you? KS: “My Head� talks about when a relationship ends and all of a sudden the other person wants to get back together with you and, even though you don’t want to, you keep thinking about it . . . all the time! I think a lot of people can relate to that.
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SM: How about “Unbreakable,” what is that about? KS: “Unbreakable” talks about somebody who has trouble showing emotions even in extreme situations, and so you wonder if anything affects that person, you wonder if that person is “unbreakable.” I love the lyrics of that song, it's without a doubt one of my favorites! SM: I feel like your attitude has become so hard core! If possible, you are even more confident and dynamic than ever before. Does how you feel inspire your music or does the music inspire how you feel? KS: My music is a reflection of how I feel. I write about whatever I want to write about . . . and right now I am feeling this style! I guess you could say I’ve become more hard core. I have so many feelings inside of me and they have to come out somehow! The style I've been working with lately is a little a more intense. SM: Even you voice is different on these new tracks, it's deeper, richer, fuller, and it has much more edge. What brought about this new approach to singing? KS: I love exploring my vocal range. I love playing with my voice. I have many personalities when it comes to recording. Any emotion that you feel in everyday life can come out in singing and songwriting. SM: The blonde hair is back! : ) KS: I am glad you like it! I change my hair a lot. I love changing colors and styles, and right now the blonde hair better represents who I am. SM: You always look so fit and toned in your videos, do you have any training or diet regimens that you could share? KS: Oh, thanks (shy)! I love bad food like candy, fries, and carbs, so I have to control the amount of food I eat! I try to drink
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a lot of water and exercise — even though I hate it — but dancing is a great way to keep in shape! SM: North American tour, please? KS: I've never been there before! I've always wanted to visit and do a tour, but I haven't had the chance yet! It'll be soon, though! For now you guys can come and visit me in beautiful Brazil!
For more information on Kekell, visit: http://www.facebook.com/kekellsa Her latest tracks with DJ Disco Killah are available for download at Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/my-head/1027342
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