Keke Wyatt facts for kids

Ke'Tara Shavon "KeKe" Wyatt (born March 10, 1980 or 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and TV star. She started singing in girl bands and writing songs as a teenager. In 2000, she became well-known after working with fellow R&B singer Avant.

In 2001, her song "Nothing in This World" was so popular that she was nominated for a special award. KeKe has released several successful songs and albums. In 2012, she joined the cast of the TV show R&B Divas: Atlanta on TV One. This show followed the lives of five famous R&B singers from the 1990s. She was on the show for all three seasons. She also performed with the group at big events like the Essence Music Festival.

KeKe Wyatt has released many studio albums, including Soul Sista (2001), Who Knew? (2010), Unbelievable (2011), and Rated Love (2016). All these albums were very popular on the Billboard music charts. Her first EP (a shorter album) called Ke'Ke' (2014) also did well. KeKe has also worked with different non-profit groups. She has been a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

KeKe Wyatt was born on March 10, 1982, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her mother, Lorna Wyatt, was a singer, and her father, Keever Wyatt II, played the organ and also sang. KeKe grew up in a very musical family that loved gospel music. She has four brothers.

Even though her family was rooted in gospel, KeKe also listened to other types of music like Contemporary R&B and pop. She started singing at age 2 and performed her first live show when she was 5. KeKe is of mixed white and black heritage. She and her brothers were raised in an African-American community and identify as African-American.

KeKe grew up in Indianapolis but also spent time in Kentucky and Texas. In high school, she was even on the varsity wrestling team! Her musical tastes were shaped by famous R&B artists like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Ella Fitzgerald. Inspired by these greats, KeKe began performing with different girl groups as a teenager. People often noticed that she seemed very mature for her age.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out: 1992–1999

KeKe Wyatt's professional music journey began when she was just 10 years old. She recorded a song called "What If" for a gospel album. As more people heard about "the little girl who could sing," KeKe met many important music artists and producers.

During her teenage years, KeKe learned from Chicago-based producer and songwriter Steve "Stone" Huff. He helped her record demo songs to try and get a record deal. She earned money by singing demos for gospel labels. KeKe also started writing her own music as a teenager. She once wrote most of the words for a hit song but did not get credit for her work. This was a tough lesson for her in the music business.

First Big Hits and Debut Album: 2000–2002

When KeKe was 15, she recorded "My First Love" with Avant. This song was released two years later and became a big hit for Avant's album. KeKe became very famous for this new version of the 1980s song. Because of its success, she got a solo album deal with MCA Records.

With help from music executives and friends, KeKe recorded her first album in just two weeks. Her first single, "Used to Love", created excitement but didn't get much radio play. However, her next song, "Nothing in This World", which was another duet with Avant, was a huge success. It reached No. 4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart and No. 27 on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Her first solo album, Soul Sista, came out on November 13, 2001. It sold over one million copies and became a platinum album. This helped KeKe gain fans in places like Japan, South Korea, and Europe. In 2002, her song "Nothing in This World" earned her a nomination for Best New R&B/Soul/Rap Artist at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

New Labels and Challenges: 2004–2008

By 2004, KeKe Wyatt left MCA Records. She then signed with Cash Money Records/Universal Motown Records. Her second album, Emotional Rollercoaster, was planned for release in 2005. The first song from the album, "Put Your Hands on Me," was added to many radio stations. However, the song didn't become a hit, and her album was put on hold.

In 2006, KeKe left Cash Money Records because of disagreements with her management. In 2007, she signed with TVT Records and finished her third album, Ghetto Rose. This album was also planned for release, but in 2008, the record label went bankrupt. So, for the second time, KeKe's album was not released.

Theater and More Albums: 2009–2011

In 2009, KeKe Wyatt starred in a play called Love Overboard. This play toured across the United States and featured other well-known actors and singers.

KeKe released the song "Who Knew?" in 2010. This song was the title track for her album Who Knew?, which came out on February 23, 2010. The album reached No. 35 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2011, KeKe released a new version of the 1980s song "Saturday Love" with Ruben Studdard. This song was part of her next album, Unbelievable!, released on June 14, 2011.

Reality TV Star: R&B Divas and Ke'Ke' (2012–2014)

In 2012, KeKe Wyatt became a cast member on TV One's reality show R&B Divas. The show followed KeKe and four other famous R&B singers as they worked to restart their music careers in Atlanta, Georgia. The first episode aired on August 20, 2012.

On the show, the R&B Divas singers worked together on a charity album. The money from this album helped organizations that support women. KeKe performed at the 2012 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans with the other cast members. Her performance of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" was especially praised. KeKe appeared in all three seasons of the show, which was later renamed R&B Divas: Atlanta.

In 2013, KeKe worked with Avant again on their hit song "You & I." This song reached No. 1 on Billboard's Urban A/C chart and stayed there for almost two months.

In May 2014, KeKe released her first EP, Ke'Ke'. This EP featured songs written and produced by famous artists like Neyo. It also included guest artists like Pusha T. The EP had five new songs, and the single "Fall in Love" was very popular. The EP itself reached No. 191 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Recent Projects: Rated Love and Keke Covers (2015–Present)

In 2015, KeKe signed a new distribution deal for her music company. She then released her album Rated Love on April 22, 2016. In August 2016, KeKe and her husband Michael Ford joined the cast of the reality show Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars.

On January 31, 2017, KeKe announced that she would release a covers album called Keke Covers on February 14, 2017. This album featured her versions of popular songs.

More recently, on July 28, 2017, KeKe released the song "Summertime." In July 2023, it was announced that KeKe would star in her own reality TV series called "Keke Wyatt's World" on WEtv. This show follows KeKe, a singer and mother of 11 children, as she prepares to release her first new album in over six years. On August 25, 2023, KeKe released her new single "Water into Wine" from her upcoming album.

Helping Others

KeKe Wyatt has been a spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). In this role, she shares her own experiences to help and support others who have faced similar challenges. She also supports the Saving Our Daughters organization, which aims to empower young women.

Family Life

KeKe Wyatt has a large family. She has been married three times and is a mother to many children.

Her first marriage was to Rahmat Morton. They had three children together: sons Keyver and Rahjah, and daughter Ke'Tarah. After some difficult times, KeKe and Rahmat divorced in 2009. She later shared that she had to protect herself and her children during challenging situations in that marriage.

In 2010, KeKe married Michael Jamar Ford, who is a minister. He also appeared with her on the reality TV show R&B Divas. With Michael, KeKe raised six children, including her three children from her first marriage, Michael's daughter Mickayla from a previous relationship, and their two sons, Ke'Mar and Wyatt. They later welcomed two more children together: daughter Ke'Yoshi Bella and son Kendall Miguel. KeKe and Michael divorced in 2018.

In October 2018, KeKe married her childhood friend, Zackariah Darring. They have two children together: a son named Ke'Riah David and another child born in 2022. In July 2024, KeKe announced that she and Zackariah had divorced.

Awards and Nominations

Discography

• Soul Sista (2001)
• Who Knew? (2010)
• Unbelievable (2011)
• Rated Love (2016)
• Keke Covers (2017)

Filmography and Theater Roles

See also

• Keke Wyatt discography
• List of songs recorded by Keke Wyatt
• List of soul musicians