Raven Keiara has more than luck on her side. With sass and savvy dance moves, the talented 17-year-old multihyphenate was cast to co-star in Issac Ryan Brown’s new music video. Now, music lovers can watch the dancer perform in the video for “Show Me,” the newest single which recently dropped off of Brown’s latest EP “My Eyes Only.”
New to the game? Not so fast. Musically, Raven Keiara has offered vocals to numerous productions including the Celebration of Gospel at Disneyland for the past two years. She has been cast as a stage performer in multiple Broadway-style musicals in Los Angeles, and has completed voice-over work for Disney. She has also appeared in other high-profile videos and worked alongside Grammy-winning singers such as Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, Take 6 and Brian McKnight.
No stranger to the media and entertainment industry, at eight years old Raven Keiara co-founded PopSource TV media entertainment magazine. In her role as a youth reporter, she interviewed the likes of the late Bob Barker and Diahann Carroll, Donald Driver, Sally Richardson Whitfield, Skai Jackson and Marsai Martin, to name a few.
Adding to the culture, at just fifteen years old, Raven Keiara worked as a producer at Tavis Smiley’s KBLA 1580 radio station in Los Angeles, the number two media market in the United States.
Raven Keiara spoke to Culture Buzz exclusively about her entertainment endeavors and how she uses her platform to partner with others to inspire change.
What was it like working on set with Issac Ryan Brown on the “Show Me” video?
The most amazing thing about working with Issac is how excited he is to create projects of excellence. Everything was so professional from the choreography to the lighting, and the vibe of the song. It was a refreshing shoot. I love dancing so it allowed me the opportunity to be in my essence.
Does dancing come naturally to you?
Being able to showcase dancing in the video was definitely an experience, The artist in me is reinvigorated. I’ve always had one foot in hip-hop and one foot in jazz. I’ve been dancing in some way shape form or fashion my whole life, but now I’m beginning to embrace the music of our generation and indulge in performing with young musicians. Looking back, I believe dance was always the venue I’ve always felt I could be the most expressive.
In real life, are you a music fan?
I’m a pop culture enthusiast and yes, I’m a huge music fan. I love all kinds of music though from pop to R&B. I like working with artists who are pushing genres forward incorporating different sounds. By blending their sounds it opens up possibilities for more artists to link up and be harmonic. I’ve been fortunate to work on productions that incorporate music. My grandfather was a DJ for over fifty years. My uncle has been a DJ for over thirty years. So, I’ve always been exposed to music. Music is my first love.
If you weren’t dancing and performing, what would be your dream job? I’ve always wanted to be in entertainment and have been blessed with extraordinary opportunities, but if that was not the case, I’d probably be a make-up artist.
Being a performer and social activist, you must be a role model to tons of young girls.
I like to use arts and entertainment to inspire youth. When they see you doing it, it empowers them and gives them a reason to “Show Up and Step Up,” which is my brainchild initiative intended to inspire future generations. When it comes to pushing the envelope I’m all in. When I hear that I’ve had an impact with something, that’s the level of success that I desire to reach – making a difference.
Moving forward what are you hoping to accomplish?
I’m hoping to continue to be a positive vessel in the community. I will continue to engage, educate and empower youth. Future endeavors include an upcoming role in a film that I’ll be shooting in the coming weeks and another project that I’m not allowed to talk about right now. Moving forward I’m expanding my brand across the global media and entertainment market. What you are witnessing is growth across various segments and I will continue to evolve so watch for me in movies, on TV and social media. You have to be diverse in this industry, keep it going. You have to be able to act, sing and dance. You just can’t do one thing. It’s important to reinvent yourself.
What is one message that you would like to give to your fans?
Raise your voice. Go vote. Your vote is your power. In addition to my entertainment interests, my focus at the moment is on mobilizing teens who are eligible to vote to speak up. I have partnered with some organizations to raise awareness about the upcoming presidential election. In case you’re wondering, Kamala Harris is my choice. I’m hoping to witness the first woman president in America. I’m here to galvanize Gen-Z and to mobilize them as the leaders in their communities to reach and serve more young people. If we use our collective voices to advocate for policies and support youth development there is no limit to what we can do.
Now, that’s something to sing about.
Watch Raven Keiara perform in the “Show Me” video below.
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