Exclusive: Keke Palmer ‘UB’ Interview

As her story unfolds, it’s evident that there’s another side to Keke Palmer, which is a musical side. Her initial passion and gift is in music, which is what she really intended to pursue. She showed signs of vocal talent as early as five years old and she honed her skills by taking part in her church choir and various vocal activities.

Today she’s a formidable soloist, which has garnered her appearances on the original motion movie soundtrack of “Akeelah and the Bee,” ” Night Of The Museum”, and Disney Channel’s original motion movie soundtrack “Jump In!

In 2007 she released “So Uncool”, her debut album on the Atlantic label, signed a publishing deal with Cherry Lane Music Publishing and headlined Sanrio Inc.’s official Hello Kitty CD singing the title track “Come on, Come on.”

As a fast rising star she seems to have done it all. Acting in various award winning movies, television shows and following her passion in recording and performing music. Not forgetting to mention the strong support from her family and humble beginnings, the Robbins, Illinois native couldn’t do this all alone. Realizing there was star potential in Keke, her family made major changes by relocating to California, fortifying her endurance and encouragement as she journeyed into the field of entertainment.

Presently she has the lead role in “True Jackson, V.P.”, where she plays a teen fashionista who’s in charge of a youth fashion line in a major fashion company called ‘Mad Style.’ This show is aired on the Nickelodeon channel.

With her upcoming projects she has moved into a new role as Producer, with a brand new music video, entitled “The One You Call,” and an exciting web series: “Keke On The Reel”, Palmer wears several hats well.

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This month UrbanBridgez.com is celebrating our 5th year anniversary (special feature starts the 27th)! Over the next month, we’ll feature new interviews with some of the best in entertainment to help us celebrate! First-up is Keke!

Recently Keke spoke with Aries from UrbanBridgez.com about her new video & music, True Jackson, V.P., the best advice she’s been given, her love for Brandy, where she sees herself in 5 years & much more!

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us about the new album and what fans can expect from it?
Keke Palmer: The new album is coming in 2011. The first single will be out around first quarter of the year. So I’m getting ready for all that. I’m a little bit older now, I’m 17 so fans can expect a growth. When my first album came out I was 13. So I’m a little older, I’m still talking about the same stuff young girls my age are going through. Like boys, heartbreak, love, getting independent and stuff like that.

UrbanBridgez.com: ‘The One You Call’ is blowing up right now, how did you enjoy shooting the video? It looks like you had alot of fun!
Keke Palmer: I did! I had a whole lot of fun. It took a whole day to shoot and everybody was just gettin it in and working hard. It was alot of fun. I was sad that the song got leaked but at the same time. I was like let me show the fans, what they’ll be getting soon! But it turned out pretty good and everybody seems to be taking to it well. So I’m excited about that!

UrbanBridgez.com: I actually spoke with Kadis and Sean…
Keke Palmer: Oh really, I love Kadis & Sean!

UrbanBridgez.com: They love you too & are very excited about your release. What do you think it is that they bring out of you in the studio that nobody else does?
Keke Palmer: They are so much fun, they’re great in the studio to work with! We always have a good time, they’re so relaxing and chill and so talented! They just stay making hits, I just a did song with them & James Fauntleroy called ‘We Can Make Up’ one of my favorite joints on my album, so I love them!

UrbanBridgez.com: Let’s talk about TV, what’s the best part in starring in True Jackson VP right now?
Keke Palmer: It’s fun because it’s steady and I also have a great cast! So I love working with them on set as well. It’s just fun being able to go some place steady and work. Nickelodeon makes sure everything runs so smoothly. I love that & also the character True Jackson, she’s real fun and optimistic, just a good character.
[audio:http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/keketruejackson.mp3|titles=Keke on True Jackson VP]

UrbanBridgez.com: What will fans see this season that might surprise them?
Keke Palmer: Let’s see with this season, all of the scenes have been filmed so far except for the one where True Jackson goes to Peru, so they’ll see a lot of fun stuff there!

UrbanBridgez.com: You were so great in ‘Akeelah and the Bee,’ I love that movie!
Keke Palmer: Thank You!

UrbanBridgez.com: No problem, what did you take away from that experience once filming was over?
Keke Palmer: I realized at the time that it was a great film. Not only was it a great film, but I knew it would help people. With what they’re going through, like maybe being afraid to like shine and things of that nature. I really didn’t know what kind of impact it would have until years after when people got the DVD & it played on the Disney channel and all of that. I was like wow, so truly I say that is one of the best things I ever did. Because it really made me who I am. That’s what people know me from, when people see me they’re like that’s Akeelah and the Bee (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: (laughs). I know you’re working on a new movie, ‘Joyful Noise!’
Keke Palmer: Yes that’s a movie I’m doing with Queen Latifah & Dolly Parton. It’s a gospel film, it kind of puts you in the mind of a Sister Act II. So I’m really excited about that, I get to sing which I haven’t been able to do in a film yet. It was a fun experience, so it should be cool. So I’m excited, there’s some good stuff going down. [audio:http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/kekejoyfulnoise.mp3|titles=Keke on ‘Joyful Noise’]

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s the best advice and by whom that you’ve been given that has kept you focused throughout your career?
Keke Palmer: Just to take one step at a time. I remember that was told to me by William H Macy in a movie I did called ‘Wool Cap’ & he was just telling me to take one scene at a time and don’t focus on the whole thing at once. If you take one scene at a time & use it to the best of your ability, you’ll end up with a great film![audio:http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/kekeavise.mp3|titles=KeKe on Best Advice]

UrbanBridgez.com: Back to music real quick, I know you and Brandy are fans of each other, can we expect any future collaborations?
Keke Palmer: I would love to, but she would blow me out the water and I’ll let people know that immediately (laughs). Before we record the record, I’ll be saying she’s gonna blow me out the water but that’s okay (laughs). I just love, I love that voice! That voice, that’s how I know when people are good singers or talented or know music when they can appreciate Brandy. Some people don’t know about her, you know what I’m saying. Some just don’t know…

UrbanBridgez.com: At all…
Keke Palmer: You know! I have to ask people sometimes like have you ever listened to a Brandy album? Put on ‘Never-SAY-Never,’ Full Moon,’ one of the best albums! Wow, so I would absolutely love to do a record with her, something with her. She’s brilliant!

UrbanBridgez.com: And Kadis & Sean can produce it.
Keke Palmer: That sounds perfect!

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of your other favorite artists you’re listening to at the moment?
Keke Palmer: I like Rhianna, I like her sass and attitude she brings to her music. So I love her new song ‘What’s My Name,’ but it had to grow on me. At first I was like no I’m not really feeling it, but the more I heard it I was like hey I like this song. I love Drake of course, he’s one of my favorites. I like Beyonce’ and I never say Beyonce’ because it’s like always a given to me. Because everybody knows her and she’s been around for so long, she’s pretty solid with each thing. So I feel like I don’t even need to say her at this point because everybody can agree that she is extremely talented! I love Chris Brown, I love his new single ‘Yeah X3’ and I’m just loving what he’s putting out and I’m excited for his new stuff.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for you outside of TV, Films & Movies?
Keke Palmer: Hum, I don’t know that’s pretty much my life right there (laughs). I do have a web-series that’s out. It basically shows people how I started, basically my journey to where I am now! You can check it out on my website kekepalmer.com and it’s called ‘Keke On The Reel (5 episodes)!’ [audio:http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/kekewebseries.mp3|titles=kekewebseries]

UrbanBridgez.com: With UB celebrating 5 years, where do you see yourself in 5 years career wise?
Keke Palmer: Let’s see I’m 17 now, so 5 years I’ll be 22. I see myself hopefully doing some wonderful stuff. Like hopefully being a #1 singing artist, doing a whole bunch of films and also maybe a perfume line and clothing line. Something like that…

UrbanBridgez.com: I can so see you doing that with the fragrance and clothing line.
Keke Palmer: Thank You!

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words you wanna leave with your fans?
Keke Palmer: Just to stay tuned and thank you for supporting me! Continue to support me and I’ll continue bringing out the good stuff! [audio:http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/keketofans.mp3|titles=Keke Speaks to her fans]