Today we’d like to introduce you to Keya “Gifted Keys” Trammell.
A fusion of smooth melodic jazz, sprinkled with a soulful element, and mixed with electric, finger snapping, foot-stomping funk, is what you get when you let Gifted Keys pour through your speakers or captivate you from the stage.
Keya, the singer launched her career in 2016. The South Suburban Illinois native grew up singing in the church choir and writing poetry, but she never considered pursuing a music career. It wasn’t until she posted a video on Facebook of her singing the cover of Erykah Badu’s “On & On” that she realized her calling. That video went viral, garnering over 1.3 million views in a week, and she received an overwhelming amount of support and admiration.
What captivated viewers was her bald head. At the age of 2, Keya was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Alopecia Totalis, a complete loss of scalp hair, occurring either all at once or within a short time.
In her Facebook video, she proudly rocked her bald crown.
It wasn’t just the large audience she attracted that led her to launch the career, but the message that resonated with viewers through the simple decision to wear a wig or go wigless that day. Growing up, Keya often dealt with mental and emotional abuse from other children because of her lack of hair. The one aspect of life that she believed made her feel whole was music.
“I never considered taking the leap of faith of becoming an artist, but after I did the video people started commenting or emailing me saying that I made them feel confident. It was then that I was like okay, I need to get into this music thing. I realized that I should take on the responsibility of being an artist who makes herself vulnerable by showing herself.”
Gifted Keys began performing at open mics throughout the city, which gave her more exposure. Later she joined a band and started getting booked for shows. Eventually, she branched off, focusing on a solo career.
Selecting her stage name was simple. Her mother would always compliment her makeup skills, calling her “gifted.” Before music, Keya had already begun working as a makeup artist. Her friends nicknamed her “Keys,” short for Keya. Boom — Gifted Keys was born.
Since launching her career, she has performed as the opening act for many artists and has even had the opportunity to perform alongside those such as: Kim Stratton; voice coaches Michael & Lana Manson; Stellar Award-Winning Angela Martin; Stellar Award-Winning Tony Tidwell; Chai Tulani; Dometi Pongo; Larry Brown Jr., and also an opening act for Keke Wyatt.
Gifted Keys has released an EP, “The Unknown Agenda,” available for purchase on iTunes, Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music, and CdBaby.com.
The inspiration behind the project is personal.
“It’s basically me saying to myself, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing for real, but let’s just take a leap of faith in putting this music out, and putting out what you feel in your spirit. Whatever comes from it will be God’s plan.’”
The Unknown Agenda has a simple message.
“When we wake up we can have a plan, but you don’t know what’s going to happen in that day so just do what you’re supposed to do, but while you’re doing that, expect the unexpected.”
Some of her musical influences consist of Nancy Williams, Chrisette Michele, and Beyoncé.
Gifted Keys’ mission is to create music that speaks love and truth to others, in hopes that it brings awareness and knowledge of self.
She lives by this philosophy:
“ Listen to your conscience. If you’re supposed to be going right, but your conscience is saying go left, listen to that. For me, God is my conscience, so I listen to that. Trust in yourself. Trust in your gut. The things that we’re great at, I feel that those are our gifts.”
Other Accomplishments:
– Named the “4 Star Chicagoan” from Windy City Live, an ABC 7 Television Show in September 2017. She was honored with the title because of a heartfelt moment she experienced with a 4-year-old girl at a performance. Little Zion also has Alopecia. When Gifted Keys met her, she cried tears of joy. The interaction was shared on social media and again, her video went viral.
– Selected to perform at Chicago’s 2018 Mamby on The Beach, headlined by Common
– Starring in the short film, “Gifted,” produced and directed by Rita Usher.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I feel as though, well for my life anyway, I’ve had to work harder than others to get things done. It’s not even the point of recognition with fans coming to shows, buying cd’s, sharing videos. It’s me having high stress to get to a show because I take public transportation. It’s me having to work with men and because I’m a beautiful woman and I know how to hold a conversation they often feel I am attracted to them. It’s me missing out on events with friends because I’m always busy on the weekends. Or because I am always busy on weekends, if I happen to have a free weekend off I won’t get invited to things. Lol, I’m having to deal with musicians who aren’t always the most reliable. It is honestly overall a beautiful experience but it is definitely a hustle. I have to keep myself motivated to keep going. Self-motivation through working out, skating, going dancing, meditating… keeps me grounded.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a vocalist/songwriter/entertainer/mirror/friend. I guess I’m most proud that I’ve never had this much passion for anything else in my life. I enjoy what I do. I feel like myself when I perform. It doesn’t matter if I’m at big venues, festivals, weddings or a private party. I mostly will have a 3-4 piece band playing with me and I will not leave the stage until my bald head is sweating or a tear is shed and I feel connected to the audience.
My sound has a nostalgic feel of the 20’s (I love to scat). A soulful feel like sade that makes you wish to have a chilled glass of red wine. Yet, also a rocker/hip-hop feel that makes you want to dance.
Hmmm… What sets me apart? I would say mainly my stage presence. I treat my audience as though we are in a relationship. I take them into a blissful high and then I give them a chance to look in the mirror. To see their beauty, see their insecurities and know that it is okay to not always be perfect. But if they desire to be closer to perfection that it just takes small steps to get to that place.
What were you like growing up?
Very Dramatic. Lol!
Always singing/dancing in the mirror. The remote control is my mic. Always laughing. Buying a new lip gloss when I got an allowance every two weeks. I only had a pair of gym shoes because of gym class and cheer-leading. I was a true diva. My first-grade teacher would always tell my parents that I was in “La-La Land”. I’ve always been a daydreamer. In my own world. Which makes sense to this day. Simply because I do what I want in life. I sing the songs I like. I dress the way I like. I wear my bald head fearlessly. Which can be annoying because people typically want to rub or kiss my head. Lol, I genuinely try to live life to the fullest.
Contact Info:
- Website: giftedkeys.com
- Phone: 708-269-7358
- Email: giftedkeysmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftedkeys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Keya.S.Trammell
Image Credit:
Hammond Carter, Haley Scott, Editorial Beats, Neak, Kailyn Jacobs
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
