Tropical Expression
La música Afro-Latino has come a long way since the days when I used to listen to Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Las Chicas del Can, and a whole host of other musicians. During the four years I lived in The U.S. Virgin Islands we had access to all of the various music styles of the Caribbean, unlike my home in New York where Salsa was the dominant form of Afro-Latin music. In the Caribbean, I would listen to Merengue, Salsa, Reggae, Calypso, and more. Back then I would never imagine that there would come a day when I would hear any of it on mainstream radio with music videos accompanying each hit. These days, the term “tropical music” has become a catch-all phrase for the different types of music that have come from the Caribbean. Though the term erases the roots of these musical artforms, I suppose it serves the purpose of making it accessible to pop culture audiences.
Part of the change in terminology, I believe, is that it evokes visions of bright, sunny beaches, palm trees, pleasant temperatures, and romantic nights. The other reason for it might stem from the fact that the music has become such a worldwide phenomenon, even making its way to the Republic of Latvia where my subject, Keeana Kee hails from. Her music is infused with all of the aforementioned qualities and more. Each of her songs possesses catchy rhythms capable of piercing this New Yorkers’ heart, making him wish he were elsewhere. Keeana’s music is romantic and passionate. There’s an almost haughty sense of perceived success as if she’d already sold a million or more albums, despite only having released seven singles (not including remixes) since her career began in 2017. In other words, Keeana’s confidence in her abilities and in herself is as sexy as hell.
I’m assuming you became fascinated with tropical music when you were still living in Latvia, but why did you choose that style rather than other types of music that I’m sure you listened to as well?
I get asked this question a lot, but still don’t have an easy answer to it. It’s like the Spanish motives are running through my blood. Sometimes I think maybe in my previous life I was Spanish.
We didn’t have and I haven’t been listening to any Spanish music growing up in Latvia, but I think there might have been some resemblance of it in older Russian music.
I guess that I really fell in love with it when I started traveling and got introduced to Spanish music while being abroad. Gipsy Kings is one of my favorite bands that I had an honor to personally meet last year. I’ve always had the desire to visit Latin America and Spain, and that went as far as me diving into writing and singing Spanish infused songs. Whenever I tend to write something acapella I always get the melodies that sound Spanish and I really don’t know how that happens. That’s just the way my heart sings.
Could you tell me what your life was like in your native country?
I grew up in Latvia and it wasn’t an easy life. It’s a third-world country which means my family had to go through a lot to raise me and my sister up. My father left my mom with two toddlers. She had to work 2 and 3 jobs sometimes to just get the food on the table for me and my sister that’s the time when I’ve learned how to NOT give up, work hard and keep moving. For that, I’m enormously grateful to my mother. For showing us an example of a strong woman!
What brought you from Latvia to the United States, particularly Florida?
First I lived in Italy where I was signed with a modeling agency then moved to the UK following my mother that went there for work. I went to study at Reading University in the UK.
I decided on going to the USA after a heartbreak. I had an unpleasant break up with my partner at that time and that was a big push for a new life. My friends were going to Florida on vacation and invited me to join them and I did. It was an amazing journey of the three States from Florida to California then New York. Palm trees, tropical breeze, and ocean vibes of Florida made my heart feel at home and inspired me to write my later following tropical singles.
How would you describe the difference between your native country to the United States, what are some of the cultural differences you noticed immediately when you arrived here?
Well the USA is like a different Planet. Not only comparing to my home country Latvia but to the whole World! Everything is different here, but most importantly the spirit. It’s like people that live here have a different purpose in life. Their dreams seem to be so high and so meaningful it’s fascinating that why I think so many of us wanna be in the center of this strong energy. Yes, the competition is huge, but that’s what keeps you moving and driven.
In Europe, most of the people are set to believe that they have boundaries which makes them afraid to set their goals high. That might be because from a young age we are told who we should be and what parents want us to become. So it seems to me that most of the people in Latvia and Europe are just afraid to dream big, but luckily I was able to stay true to myself and haven’t given up. The dream to be an artist is what brought me to this land of opportunities.
Did your interest in recording music begin here in the U.S., or when you were back home?
My interest in recording music began way back when I was still living in Latvia and the first song that I ever wrote was actually in English and was called “You Will Love Me”. That’s when I didn’t speak English well at all, but surprisingly it came out quite good. It was recorded in a home studio in Riga with my friend back then aspiring artist and producer. I would definitely like to do a remake of it in the future.
I believe that I read somewhere that you play guitar and another instrument I can’t remember. What inspired you to pick up a musical instrument?
I have never had an opportunity to learn a musical instrument when I was young which is very unfortunate, but that’s because nobody in my family was a musician. I started self-learning piano, guitar, violin, and saxophone when I was able to afford it myself. At the moment, I only focus on learning piano and guitar and only to be able to write my songs with it. I am not trying to become a professional piano or guitar player, but that definitely improves my writing skills. I love all musical instruments and I wish to be able to play them all, but for now, I enjoy seeing other people play and collaborate with those talented musicians out there. So proud of them!
You recorded “Coconut Rum and Coke” with Maffio, and “Open Arms” with Kid G. How did those collaborations happen?
Maffio is absolutely amazing! I love him so much and that collaboration means a lot to me because it was my first-ever collaboration on the US land. I was introduced to Maffio at his Birthday party and played a demo to him from my phone, he really loved it and it didn’t take us long to go to the studio and start working on Coconut Rum and Coke then shoot the music video for it.
I’ve learned about Kid G from Arturo Brambilla Cabrero who is a Latin Grammy Award-winning producer and who produced the single “Open Arms”. He was working with Kid G at the time and played the song to him. He loved it and had written his own rapping verse for it and is also featured in a music video that will be coming out soon.
Of all of the available tropical drinks, why make a song about coconut rum and coke? Why is it special to you?
I honestly don’t know any other cocktail drink that could so perfectly describe the mood of the song with just its name. Coconut Rum - palm trees and island vibes; Coke - energy, dance, and never-ending nights. This is what I sing in that song about. A never-ending love story on a tropical island. Coconut Rum and Coke can definitely bring summer to every season.
Who else have you worked with in regards to composing your songs?
It was an honor for me to be working with Maffio. I love keeping long-term musical relationships with all the people I’ve ever worked with because my collaborations have always been successful. After the recording of Coconut Rum and Coke, I’ve released Let’s Make Love that was produced by Davix who is one of the writers of Coconut Rum and Coke. I also keep an ongoing relationship with the LA-based producer Sergio De Anda who has already produced four of my singles: You’re Real, Shoot Me Up, Genius, and the latest release Love is My Treasure. I also work with producers overseas on my dance music projects and am always open to collaborating with amazing producers and artists around the globe.
My latest collaboration was with The Track Burnaz who works with artists like Big Sean, Future, Tory Lanez, and many more. Can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve created together.
You’re apparently not shy about your sexuality, because at the beginning of the “You’re Real” video, you have women at a gas station who apparently have the hots for you and you make love in your motel room with one of them. However, at the end of the song, the gas station attendants are men. In the Coconut Rum and Coke video, your love interest is a woman. Would it be safe for me to assume that you’re bisexual, or is it just women? Who came up with the concept for both videos?
Yes, I am an openly gay artist and I am not afraid to be myself. The idea of the “You’re Real” music video is that I see my loved one in every person I see on the way and at the end, we reveal that as a matter of fact, every person I saw wasn’t her at all; the mechanic and the receptionist at the gas station and waitress in the restaurant. But when you’re missing somebody so much you can’t help but see him/her in every person you encounter.
By the way, I am forever grateful to my friends who take part in my music videos, supporting me, and just being great people. That means a lot! It’s important to have people that surround you believe in you.
I and my manager Alona Lapkovska are always the ones who come up with the ideas for all my music videos and then we bring them to life with all the wonderful videographers we work with.
Your music is very sensuous and romantic, does that mean you’re a romantic?
Yes! I am a very romantic person and I love writing about love. I am emotional and can easily re-live situations that have ever happened to me which makes it easier for me to come up with new ideas for my songs and express my feelings in them.
Earlier this year you released “Genius”, followed up with a Yence505 remix last month, and last week you released “Love is My Treasure”. Do you intend to eventually release an album or at least an EP soon?
I am planning to keep releasing singles because I don’t like to make my fans wait long to hear my new songs. So as soon as the single gets completed and ready to be released it will be out in the world.
You’ve done some modeling for London-based Katayoon. What did you start with first, being a model, or being a recording artist?
I started modeling first and that’s what took me around the world. That’s how I started earning enough money to support my dream and invest in my music. As far as you might know, I am still going independent and am the one who’s paying for all of the recordings and visuals for my songs. Katayoon is my absolute favorite designer out there that I love and continue working with up to this day.
Will there be a video for “Love is my Treasure”, and what else do you have planned?
My next release will be a new single produced by The Track Burnaz with a music video that was shot in the California desert and carries a very strong message.
I have four music videos and new songs waiting to be released so the future looks exciting.
Stream Keeana Kee at TIDAL, Apple Music, and Spotify. Check out her videos at YouTube. Follow her Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates.
