Entertainment of Thursday, 6 February 2020

Source: Alfred Dompreh, Contributor

All you have to know about US-based musician Chiney Kiki

Shaneak Whittingham aka Chiney Kiki Shaneak Whittingham aka Chiney Kiki

Shaneak Whittingham aka Chiney Kiki is a multi-talented songwriter, singer, dancer, and creative director.

Born in the USA and raised in Portmore, St. Catherine, Kiki was exposed to music and dance early on in life from her Jamaican lineage. Her mother, a Jamaican, was a young entertainer who was a regular participant on the popular TV show ‘Ring Ding’, hosted by ‘Miss Lou’, who subsequently became a member of the legendary gospel group called ‘Grace Thrillers’.

Her father hailed from western Africa, Ghana. Kiki’s multi-ethnic background fused with Jamaican, Ghanaian, Chinese and Indian, has shaped her into the multidimensional artist, she is today.

Chiney Kiki migrated back to the US when she was eleven and pursued music and singing. She began her music career as a backup vocalist for many popular artists. Chiney Kiki music influence from her early years comes from her immediate family, however, she is heavily influenced by artists like Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk, Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Beyonce, Adele, Fantasia, and others.

Kiki has been featured on many popular music platforms and magazines most notably IRIE Magazine and Reggaeville.com. In May 2018, she toured her father’s homeland, Ghana, for 3 weeks, where she worked on collaborations with local Ghanaian artists Jah Lead, Jupitar, and D-City. She also shot the video for ‘Afrikan Woman’. Other accomplishments included live performances in Trinidad, USA, UK, and Jamaica.

Kiki’s discography which includes tracks like, ‘Liad’, ‘African Woman’, ‘Change’, ‘Revelation’, and ‘Your Love’, featuring ‘Torch’, have all enjoyed massive radio airplay in Europe and beyond.

This international Reggae rising star is currently working on a nine (9) track EP to be released in 2020 titled ‘Emotions’. She also has an upcoming tour planned for Europe and other territories.