Many a story has started with someone packing their bags and putting all their faith in God’s plan. Whitney Keaton’s story started long before that moment.

 

Born and raised in Champaign, Illinois, Whitney hails from a musical family. Each Sunday, her mother and aunt could be found directing and singing lead in the church choir as her grandfather delivered the sermon. It was in the church that Whitney’s gift for music was nurtured from an early age.

 

In early 2007, after completing two years of college, Whitney had faith that God had something for her in New York and a strong belief that He would make a way for her to get there. It was at this time that her now husband, RAII, was working with a pastor-producer on a compilation album. RAII had set up an audition for Whitney over the telephone. The pastor was convinced with what he heard and bought her ticket to New York to sing on the project.

  

  Once arriving in New York; with faith, drive and passion, she began to do all she could to take advantage of the opportunity she had been given. She quickly landed a lead role in an off-Broadway production of Dreamgirls, as well as singing background vocals for various local artists and plays, and also attending open mic nights. While simultaneously pursuing her musical aspirations, Whitney began working as an instructor with middle school aged students at a social service agency. Four months into working as an instructor, a co-worker mentioned an open audition for backing vocalists for international icon, Alicia Keys.

 

    Upon arriving at the audition, Whitney found herself in the middle of a line that stretched for several hundred hopeful singers. When finally getting to the door, she and the others were told that auditions were done for the day and they were not going to be able to sing. Undeterred, she showed up the next day hoping to get a chance to sing, and this time that is just what she did. After several rounds of callbacks and further auditions, Whitney was called into her first official rehearsal and has been singing with Alicia ever since.

 

In 2010, in addition to being a lead vocalist in the background section, Whitney was also a

featured soloist throughout Alicia Keys’ Freedom Tour. Her hard work and dedication has taken her on worldwide tours doing what she loves. It has also allowed her the privilege to sing with some of the biggest names in music, including 50 Cent, Estelle and many more. In 2012, Whitney’s husband, RAII, also a singer-songwriter, was added to the Alicia Keys team and currently the two serve as supporting vocalists for the fourteen-time Grammy Award winner.

 

Along with her role as supporting vocalist, Whitney is also focusing on her own solo debut project. Excited to show her abilities as a composer, arranger, singer and songwriter, Whitney’s desire is that her music will help heal the world with a message of love.  The evidence of her strong spiritual upbringing paired with her emotion, soul and passion is still evident as she continues to live her one-way ticket to her dream.