The UB Interview: KeKe Wyatt Talks New Album ‘Certified’

For Black Music Month, UB is celebrating Women In R&B and today we kick it off with KeKe Wyatt!

A voice of an angel, can be one way to describe R&B soultress KeKeWyatt! Beautiful, talented, real and a proud mother.

KeKe’s dynamic range, jaw-dropping versatility, flawless runs, and electrifying performances have cemented her place as one of the greatest singers of her generation. Her larger-than-life personality, candor about being the proud mother of eleven children and transparency about life’s everyday challenges and triumphs, have endeared her to a devoted fanbase.

KeKeWyatt first came to national attention as a teenager when “My First Love,” her duet with Avant hit the Top 10 in 2000. As a result, she was signed to Geffen Records and at age 18 scored a platinum-selling debut album featuring “Nothing In This World,” another hit duet with Avant. The duo was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Barbershop 2.

“I knew at 5 that I wanted to sing forever,” Ketara Wyatt stated to Billboard in 2000. KeKe began singing at the age of 2 in church, and recording since the age of 12.

The next year KeKe released her Gold debut album “Soul Sista.” The hits kept coming with “If Only You Knew” the Patti LaBelle remake and Avant returned the favor on KeKe‘s debut album, by guesting on the mid-tempo hit “Nothing in the World” and writing two songs for the album. Avant also appeared in the video for her debut single, “Used to Love.” All of this before she was even 21 years old!

KeKe was quickly being hailed as one of the most impressive new R&B voices to emerge within the crowded urban landscape.

Through the years after that, KeKe was in the studio recording music as well as doing theater! Bad deals and one of her labels filling for bankruptcy, kept KeKe from putting out an album since her debut.

She finally re-launched in 2010, separating from her husband of ten years, moving with her four children from her home state of Kentucky to Atlanta, releasing a comeback album, “Who Knew?” on Shanachie Entertainment. The album featured the Top 30 Urban AC title track single. Keke’s second album on Shanachie, “Unbelievable,” spawned a single duet with American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

KeKe then attained a featured role on the TV One reality show R&B Divas: Atlanta, which ran for four seasons. Subsequently, she and her then-husband appeared along with other celebrity couples in the WE TV series Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars.

KeKe Wyatt starred in the inspirational stage play “In God’s Hands,” alongside Omar Gooding in 2014.

Launching her own label, KeKe released an EP in 2014 as well, followed by two albums, one of original material “Rated Love” and one of known songs entitled KeKe Covers. Her soulful version of country star Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” from the latter album garnered over 10 million views on YouTube.

Keke appeared in the 2021 BET+ original movie Favorite Son and more recently she had a role as a minister’s wife in the TV show Saints & Sinners.

Last year KeKe appeared with her family in the reality series “KeKe Wyatt’s World.”

KeKe Wyatt’s upcoming new album “Certified” (June 28th) and second for Shanachie. The project offers a big dose of pure KeKe, as she serves us her take on relationships and faith, featuring nine captivating originals and one sterling cover.

From the mellow opener “My Ex,” to the album closer “Deliver Me,” KeKe Wyatt‘s new album “Certified” is superb.

“Certified” has no fillers and takes listeners through a journey of growth and conviction, through KeKe‘s voice and emotion.

Produced by Blac Elvis, known for his work Usher and Beyoncé.

UB Stand Out Tracks; “Scared,” “She,” “My Ex,” and “Open.”

Aries from UB, spoke with the talented and unpredictable KeKe Wyatt about her new album “Certified.”

KeKe shares what her goal was when recording, her favorites from the release and why she decided to take on the classic “Unchained Melody.”

Also in the interview, KeKe Wyatt talks about touring, and gives advice to her younger-self when she debuted in 2000.

Plus KeKe shares her list of women in the industry that she admires and more!

UrbanBridgez.com: How are you doing today?
KeKe Wyatt: I’m good. Thank you. How about yourself?

UrbanBridgez.com: I am great. Now that I’m talking to you, it’s always a pleasure. You gotta tell me what was your goal when you set out to record album number six?
KeKe Wyatt: Wait, is it album number 6? Yeah it is… It’s a moment of freedom for me. I think I had to realize who the hell I am! I forgot, for a little while. I literally got lost in other folk and other stuff and living life because life was lifeing and I was like, ummm, no.

UrbanBridgez.com: Well, you did that. I love it. It’s a really great album.
KeKe Wyatt: Thank you.

UrbanBridgez.com: No problem. And then you did an amazing job on “Unchained Melody.” What made you want to cover that classic?
KeKe Wyatt: I just love it and hope that I get that one day, hopes of real love and not junk.

UrbanBridgez.com: No doubt, for all of us. I have to say off the first listen, though. Some of my favorites so far are “She,” “My Ex,” and “Open.”
KeKe Wyatt: Yeah, let me just school you real quick. That’s her name. So when I’m singing about she, that’s who I’m singing about. I think people think that it’s like me. It’s important, she is my girl down there, honey! She gotta let you know.

UrbanBridgez.com: I hear you (laughs)
KeKe Wyatt: And then mama’s a boss. Mama got needs, you know?

UrbanBridgez.com: “Scared” is another one. I really love the production as well the vocal arrangement on “Scared.” How did that song come about?
KeKe Wyatt: Umm, going through, you know, situations. And realizing that…oh, shoot. I can sleep by myself. Oh, shoot. Like I can’t just do this, it’s like I’m scared that I might like this. You know what I mean? So, I’m scared that I might like just being free. That’s basically what it’s talking about. Like, listen to it.

UrbanBridgez.com: It’s definitely one of the album’s highlights. I love that song.
KeKe Wyatt: Thank you.

UrbanBridgez.com: My pleasure, is there any particular song that means the most to you on “Certified?”
KeKe Wyatt: I have to say the one that means the most to me would be “Deliver Me.” But, um, my favorite is “She,” but “Deliver Me” is like the one that just really takes my heart to a place of just being vulnerable. Feeling free and just letting it all hang out, like hey here I am here, here you go.

UrbanBridgez.com: Yeah, another favorite and a great album ending song too.
KeKe Wyatt: Thank you.

UrbanBridgez.com: You have to tell everybody, they already know. But they need to hear it from you. Why should people stream and pick up the new album “Certified,” on June 28th?
KeKe Wyatt: Because I mean I know that there’s other people going through the same thing that I was going through at that moment when I was recording. Like, literally every song. To a degree I’m sure. It was just like something that I was freaking going through, and it was ridiculous. I want people to be inspired, You know, if you’re living in a situation where you just wanna be free, this album just might help you do that. But this is a season of freedom for me, and I’m gonna live free, and I’m gonna do what I wanna do. And so I hope that people take that and implement that in their lives to be free. Like, why are you dealing with that? Quit dealing with the mess.

UrbanBridgez.com: Switching gears a little bit. I’ve always wanted to see you in concert. Can fans expect a tourist time around?
KeKe Wyatt: Hopefully soon. Yeah. I mean, I’m always thank the Lord because it ain’t my doing, it’s his doing. But I stay booked and busy, so I’m so booked and busy that hell I really ain’t got time for one. I’m gonna try to find time for one. They keep trying to put me on little ones. I don’t know. We’re gonna have to see what they say, praise the Lord. Amen.

UrbanBridgez.com: That’s right. You have to headline. Then we’re celebrating Women in R&B for Black Music Month on UB. Are there any female artists that you admire? And if so, why?
KeKe Wyatt: Yeah, not many, but a couple. Um, I’d have to say I love Cardi B, even though she can be how she is. But like, the girl came up and she’s just so sweet and so loving. And she’s so giving to people, like she’s amazing at what she does. Like she got it. And, of course I love Dorinda Clark-Cole from, The Clark Sisters. Yes, I love me some Dorinda and I really just look up to her. And also, umm why can’t I think of her name? Shania Twain, Lord Jesus.

UrbanBridgez.com: Oh, yeah. You told me that before.
KeKe Wyatt: Right, I love Shania. I love Dorinda. And my mother most of all, like that’s totally where my sound comes from. People be like you don’t sound like nobody. I’m like Yes, I do. I sound like my mama. So you know, that’s where my original sound comes from. My sound is an original for me. It’s original for her. People just have never really heard her for real, for real. But yeah, that’s where my sound comes from. And I love that about my mom, that she gave me something that is original. I know I don’t sound like anybody else. I can walk in the building and talk and you gonna know my voice just talking. I can sing and you gonna know my voice singing, and you just gonna know it’s me.

And if you don’t know me, you’ll be like okay that’s different. I know that I’m different and I like being the little, you know lump of the little taster cookie in the corner. When you’re doing the little cookies? The little cookie cutters, like I’m the little taster piece over in the corner. That’s all you know, lumped up and shit. But then it’s the best one, because it’s still warm. You’re like, let me taste it. OK, so that means all of the rest of them are gonna be that taster cookie. And I love being a taster cookie. I will take taster cookie over, uh, dingo cookie cutter any day.

UrbanBridgez.com: I love that! You recorded a lot of music, my top favorites are “Love Me,” “Travel The World” and “Call On Me.” But I have to ask you, what’s your top three favorites that you’ve recorded, off the top of your head before “Certified?”
KeKe Wyatt: Ever, like all of my music?

UrbanBridgez.com: Yeah it could be features or anything.
KeKe Wyatt: Oh, Lord. This is sad. I don’t have any. That is really sad. Well maybe “Call On Me,” from my first album.

UrbanBridgez.com: OK, long as that’s on there. That’s my song. Well maybe in the next interview, some more will have became your favorites.
KeKe Wyatt: Right.

UrbanBridgez.com: Before we wrap up, what would KeKe of today, tell KeKe in 2000 when she debuted?
KeKe Wyatt: I would tell me to just relax and chill, because it’s gonna be alright. That’s what I would tell myself. It’s okay.

UrbanBridgez.com: So what’s next for KeKe Wyatt? Because we’re always excited for what you do?
KeKe Wyatt: Honey, everything! Do you hear me honey? Everything. Whatever else I can say, but everything I’ll say that.

UrbanBridgez.com: And we ready.
KeKeWyatt: Because I’m gonna be hitting niggas left and right. Y’all gonna be like, damn right…that part.

UrbanBridgez.com: I love it. Before we wrap up. Is there anything else you wanna leave or share with your fans?
KeKe Wyatt: Yes, that I’m grateful for them. Because without them, I wouldn’t be KeKe Wyatt. So that part!

UrbanBridgez.com: No perfect way to end it. Well, again. Thank you again for the taking time and speaking with us, KeKe. Big fan and always looking forward to what you do next. And hopefully you do a tour.
KeKe Wyatt: Thank you. Yes, trust me, it’s a whole lot of stuff coming.

UrbanBridgez.com: I can’t wait. Well, again continued success and blessings. You have a good day.
KeKe Wyatt: Thank you. You too, sweetie.