Good music is not dead, and Love Keyyz is the proof. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Keyyz took a chance and moved to LA back in 2018. Coming from humble beginnings, it wasn’t until she was 16 that she realized she had a passion for making music. More than a vocalist, Keyyz can play the piano and harp, making her a trip threat. Her first project was released back in 2014, a self-titled project, “Love, Keyyz,” a love letter to love.
Since then, she has been awarded “Best Female Vocalist” in the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. Shortly after, a video she posted singing an acapella version of Fantasia’s song “Roller Coasters” went viral. She is a full-time student at USC, studying popular music at highly competitive Thorton School of Music. And to top it off, she is now a two-time charting independent artist.
Keyyz is more than just a student, she is the girl to be watching. Her raw and soulful voice is what grabs her audience’s attention, but it is her heartfelt lyrics that keep people coming back for more. She is often compared to 90s singers for her ability to create that urban soulful sound that we all love. Yet it would be pointless to try and box her music in when she has already shown that she is capable of much more.
Her latest single, “In My Shoes”, whose music video was just released today, is a testament to that. The song’s use of live instruments and raw vocals felt like a warm hug of rock, gospel, and the perfect pinch of modern R&B. The visuals of the music video add to this hug. The warm and honey-tone aesthetic with pops of street style and clean cuts makes me feel like it’s 2004 again while watching VH1 Soul. The images and story heard in the lyrics are an honest reflection of the day-to-day life of the everyday person just trying to make it. It is no secret that times are hard, and more than ever, we could all use a little motivation to keep pushing because, as Keyyz reminds us, “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.”
To hear more from Love Keyyz, check out our latest episode of “The Black View,” where she gave Black. a very intimate and exclusive interview. To hear more of her music,you can follow her on Instagram or check out her website here.