KEITHIAN INTERVIEW: Singer-songwriter and multi-genre storyteller, Keithian, is a genre-blending musician and award-winning filmmaker whose artistry reflects the soulful, multicultural tapestry of his upbringing. Born in the culturally rich city of New Orleans and raised in Longview, Texas, he developed a deep appreciation for jazz, soul, and storytelling that would shape his creative voice. Get familiar…
What five words define your sound?
Dreamy, Soulful, Cinematic, Vulnerable, Rhythmic, Timeless.
Tell me something unique about your creative process.
I record most of my vocals in dim lighting, almost like I’m performing for one person in the room. It helps me capture intimacy — like I’m confessing, not just singing.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
‘Walk With Me’.
What inspired you to make that song?
It came from wanting closeness and transparency in a relationship where there was always distance. It’s about asking someone to truly meet you where you are, without walls. I feel like you can get someone’s full undivided attention when walking and talking.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
Writing about losing my brother. Grief is heavy, but I wanted to honour him honestly, without hiding behind metaphors. He is my guardian angel and now everyone knows and that’s fine with me.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
Best: hearing a whole crowd sing back ‘Chance?’ at a show on tour — that feeling of connection is unforgettable.
Worst: my mic wasn’t on or connected in Houston on a tour, and I couldn’t start the show even though the music had started. Luckily, the crowd started signalling to my team that the mic wasn’t working. They had my back and made me start over. I loved that experience in the end because I never new how much fans loved and cared about me.
What is your favourite song to perform?
‘Missing Out’. It’s emotional but powerful — and live, it becomes a conversation between me and the audience. They get so excited singing the hook.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
Ohh what a good one. It was Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’. Also, Frank Oceans’ ‘Blonde’. Soo many to be honest. Like Kanye West’s ‘College Dropout’.
What’s the meaning behind your name?
My parents were creative. My brother was named Kendall, and we have a Keith in the family already. So they told me it would’ve been Keithian, Kendrick, or Johnathan. I have a cousin named Kendrick, so I’m excited to have my name. When I was young, no one could pronounce it and it annoyed me so I wanted to be called Keith or Special K. [Laughs]
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
I’d probably be directing films because storytelling is in everything I do. Or I would be a Pro Baseball player cause it’s my favourite sport.
What’s success to you?
Building a catalogue that outlives me and transcends around the world, touching people in ways they remember for life, and creating freedom with no boundaries for my family and community.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
When my brother died. I was always an artist and in music, but to be honest, I ran away from fame and consistency… When my brother died, I had survivors remorse and when I understood God’s reasoning, it changed my drive and motivation for life and the gift that I was given.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube — all @iKeithian or Keithian. And of course, on streaming platforms where the music lives.
