Keshia Chanté Harper (born June 16, 1988) is a Canadian singer, television host, actress, songwriter and philanthropist. As a teenager, Chanté gained recognition with the release of her singles "Unpredictable", "Bad Boy" and "Does He Love Me" "Been Gone" "2U" and "Fallen" featuring Drake and has since released four albums. In 2013, she rose to international prominence as co-host of BET's 106 & Park with Bow Wow which launched her career as a TV Host & Television Personality. Chante is also known as Drake's musical muse who he refers to as "KIKI" in his song In My Feelings.
Chanté made history as the youngest Juno Award winner and is a 7-time nominee, and has won five Canadian Urban Music Awards and two Canadian Radio Music Awards. Chanté was given a star on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame for her achievements in Canadian Music & Film.[2] Chanté has had many #1 singles on radio in both Canada & Japan, as well as eight Top 10 singles on the radio music charts.[3] She has earned multiple SOCAN No. 1 Awards for her songwriting efforts. Her single "Table Dancer" hit #1 on the Billboard Japan Digital Chart and #9 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[4]
Chanté won a Canadian Screen Award for Best TV Host. She rose to international prominence having hosted 106 & Park with Bow Wow for two years. She has conducted interviews with many high-profile celebrities, including Michelle Obama, Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Morgan Freeman, Larry King, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelsey Grammer, Mark Wahlberg, Cate Blanchett, Mariah Carey, and Denzel Washington.
Chante has served as an international music judge on The World's Best, and currently hosts Entertainment Tonight Canada and ETC Live in California. Chanté has hosted, judged and appeared on numerous shows including the BET Awards, Peak of the Week on Paramount+, Let's KIKI, Big Brother's Aftershow, Battle of the Blades,[5] The Next Star, Top Chef Canada, Chopped Canada and Match Game[6]
As a philanthropist and humanitarian, Chanté has donated and raised millions of dollars with multiple organizations and causes, including WE Charity, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Joyful Heart Foundation and World Vision International. Chanté also hosted We Day and is a motivational speaker advocating for Mental Health awareness.[7]
Keshia Chanté Harper was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario and spent summers with her grandparents in Hinesville, Georgia. At age 12 Chanté moved to Toronto, Ontario. Her father is Afro-Trinidadian and her mother is Puerto Rican and Portuguese[8] Chanté is an only child. She was 6 years old when she first performed, receiving a standing ovation for her rendition of Dear Mama by Tupac Shakur.[9] Through talent shows, she got the attention of a local DJ who, in 2002, sent a video of her performance to SonyMusic Canada. After performing for music executives, she was signed to the label to release her music exclusively in Canada. She went to middle school at St. Peter Catholic High School before moving to Toronto, Ontario at the age of 12. Chanté was valedictorian and graduated with honors.