Princess of Positivity Pop Keeana Kee is the Future of Festivals
The Dinah, a 33-years strong lesbian pool party, has long been a destination for sapphics looking to unwind. Brooklyn-based lesbian pop superstar, Keeana Kee first appeared at The Dinah in 2023 as a performer. Slated to appear again in 2024 as a celebrity guest, this Latvian-born olive-skinned smile factory is exactly the ambassador an event like this hopes for. Listening to one of her songs is like a short vacation. Her debut single "Coconut Rum and Coke" is a not only a lesbian love story but also summer anthem giving beachy reggae vibes. Poolside revelers at the four-day desert festival will attest a refreshing tropical drink is invaluable.
The music of Keeana Kee, Spanish-influenced with pop-soul leanings, is party-ready. Famous for playing LGBTQIA clubs and festivals the world over, Kee's beats are largely provided by Mila Tina, a Chilean American master of multiple styles of drumming.
Kee's advice for newbies to The Dinah is to "bring only your true self." "You will feel free. You will feel safe. Like you are in paradise." She emphasized that everyone is welcoming and positive and warm and not just because it's Palm Springs where temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees each day.
Kee is a truly cheerful person and willing to collaborate with anyone. She invited remixes of her hit song "Goddess" and presently has thirteen and counting and loves them all for different reasons. She emulates Sia in her voice and sultry appearance, but where Sia's persona serves mysterious melancholy, Kee's brand is more about abundant cheer. A smile that steals her whole face is audible when you hear her sing as well as in her speaking voice. The smile widened when we spoke about her recent award. Designated a 2023 LGBTQ Emerging Artist through CitiBank's Music Forward program, in collaboration with House of Blues and Live Nation Entertainment, Kee proudly received a ten thousand dollar grant to further her creative endeavors. "It was a surprise and an honor," she said, and immediately put the money towards producing more music.
Overwhelming positivity and themes of overcoming obstacles pervade her lyrics. Her video "TikTok" features delicious Brazilian capoeira dancers and the affirmation that "your body and mind are your zone." Salacious hit, "Numb" features an all-lesbian cast in a prison setting and is, of course, a love story. It features rapper Dai Burger, DJ Citizen Jane, and artist Ariana Castelli. And for those who celebrate Christmas, Kee's gift to us released in 2023 is a revamped "Baby It's Cold Outside." Creatively reworded to emphasize consent and partnered with another outstanding lady vocalist, Maggie Collier, the tune is every bit as festive as the original but spares us the non-consent. Kee has worked in print modeling and has been courted by Netflix for a reality show, but her sights are set on signing to a record label and she hopes to be able to go on tour.
The Dinah runs September 25 through 29, 2024 and, with a wink, Kee says, "you'll feel like you've known the people there forever and like you're there with family." She'll be the one with the biggest smile and see you there.
- https://www.instagram.com/keeanakeemusic/
- https://www.instagram.com/milatina.official/
- https://musicforwardfoundation.org/emerging-artist-award/
