A Soulful Return!

 

By Mrs M

When Keisha White walked onto the stage during Women’s Month celebrations in South Africa, the audience was reminded of the voice that defined a generation of British R&B.

Known for timeless hits like ‘The Weakness in Me’ and ‘Don’t Care Who Knows’ White has always had a way of marrying raw emotion with polished vocals. 

Now, after stepping away from the industry for a time, she’s back and her comeback feels less like a restart and more like a homecoming.

White first rose to prominence in the mid-2000s, carving her place in the UK soul and R&B scene when artists like Emeli Sandé and Jamelia were shaping the era's sound. 

Her music quickly travelled beyond borders, resonating with fans in South Africa, where soulful ballads and heartfelt storytelling have long found a home. 

Fast-forward to 2025, and the stage is different, streaming, TikTok, and playlists drive much of the conversation. But for White, one thing has never changed the hunger for music that feels authentic.

Her return comes at a time when cross-continental collaborations are reshaping the global music landscape. 

South Africa, in particular, has become a hub for genre-bending sounds, from amapiano to modern R&B. For White, the country holds a special place.

“Artists like Elaine, Zonke, and Langa Mavuso really connect soul-to-soul with their audiences, that’s the kind of connection I want to bring again not just in the UK, but here too,” she tells us. 

Motherhood has also transformed White’s perspective, bringing new depth to her artistry. She speaks openly about wanting her music to carry love, strength, and vulnerability.

It’s a shift that places her in the lineage of singers whose personal lives have colored their sound, think Adele in the UK or Zonke in South Africa.

“Becoming a mom makes you reflect deeply, it’s given me a new lens on life, and that naturally shapes the songs I write, ” she says. 

As for the future, White is clear-eyed. Touring remains a priority, and she lights up at the thought of sharing the stage with South African artists. 

The classics the ones fans still belt out word-for-word will always be part of her setlist, but this new chapter is about blending the familiar with the fresh. “The past and future can live side by side,” she insists.

For Page 6 Entertainment News, this conversation with Keisha White is a milestone. Our first international feature spotlights an artist who has lived, grown, and is ready to tell her story again. And in true Keisha White fashion, she’s doing it with soul.

Exclusive Q&A with Keisha White

1. You’re back with new music. How does it feel to return to the studio and stage again?

It feels amazing like a homecoming. The studio has always been where I can pour my heart into melodies, and stepping back on stage gives me life. 

I think about how artists in South Africa like Elaine and Langa Mavuso connect so deeply with their audiences that’s the kind of soul-to-soul connection I’m excited to bring again, not just in the UK but hopefully here too.

2. Looking back, what’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the music industry?

The biggest lesson is to protect your authenticity. In the UK, I’ve seen peers like Jorja Smith and Emeli Sandé thrive by being true to themselves.

And when I look at South Africa, someone like Zonke has done the same. That inspires me to stay rooted in who you are always shines through.

3. Do you feel the industry has changed since you first started out?

Yes, massively. When I started, it was about radio spins and physical albums. Now it’s playlists, TikTok, and digital reach. 

But whether it’s UK audiences vibing to Ella Mai or South Africans streaming Ami Faku, what hasn’t changed is the hunger for music that feels honest and soulful.

4. You’ve been away for a while. What made now the right time for your comeback?

I’ve lived, I’ve grown, and now I have stories worth telling. Watching artists like Elaine, who broke out globally from South Africa, or Little Simz in the UK, who blends storytelling with soul, reminded me of the power of timing. 

Now just feels right to bring my voice back into the conversation.

5. How has becoming a mom influenced the kind of music you want to make?

Motherhood makes you reflect deeply. I want my songs to carry love, strength, and vulnerability. 

When I listen to someone like Zonke or even Adele from back home in the UK, I see how life experiences shape the music and I feel the same shift in myself.

6. Touring and performing are such a big part of your artistry. Are there plans to get back on the road?

Absolutely. Performing is my heartbeat. I would love to tour South Africa I know how much audiences here appreciate live vocals and real emotion.

I’d be honoured to share a stage with local acts like Shekhinah or Langa Mavuso alongside international shows.

7. Many fans still remember your classics. How do you balance honouring your past hits while bringing something new?

I’ll always perform my classics they’re part of my journey. But like how Elaine is shaping her own timeless sound in SA, or how Sting has evolved in the UK, I’m excited to show growth too. The past and the future can live side by side.

8. Who are you listening to right now, and do you see yourself collaborating with any of today’s artists?

Right now, my playlist has Jazmine Sullivan, H.E.R., and Jorja Smith, but also Elaine and Ami Faku. I’d love to collaborate across borders imagine blending UK soul with South African R&B. That kind of cultural fusion excites me.

9. What’s been the proudest moment of your career so far?

Hearing fans from different parts of the world whether in London or Johannesburg tell me my music helped them through something. 

That’s what keeps me proud and humbled. Awards are lovely, but impact is priceless.

10. What can your fans expect from you in the next chapter?

Fans can expect music that blends soul, storytelling, and growth. I’d love to collaborate not just with UK artists but also South Africans, because I feel R&B here has such a unique flavour. 

This next chapter is about connection across borders, cultures, and generations.

In 2025, White has so far released two singles, 'Don’t Wait' on May 2 and 'Soul Music' on August 22. 

The tracks mark her official return to recording, while hinting at larger projects still to come, including an 'Unplugged' experience and a 'Timeless' EP.

Get in touch with Keisha White: https://www.instagram.com/keishawhiteofficial?igsh=NmM2bnEwc25ubWdw