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Kreesha Turner
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Key Information
Kreesha Turner (born June 10, 1985) is a Canadian former singer and songwriter, born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Raised in both Canada and Jamaica, she began her musical career after a successful audition with Virgin Records. She signed a record deal with the Capitol Music Group, under which the Virgin imprint operates. Concurrently, EMI Music Canada signed her to more effectively tap into the Canadian market.
She has released two albums in Canada. Her first album Passion (2008) spawned singles "Bounce With Me," "Lady Killer" and "Don't Call Me Baby". The latter became the No. 1 most played song (by a Canadian) on Canadian radio in 2008 and became her very first number one single on Billboard's U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. During this year, she was nominated for two Juno Awards for "Best New Artist" and "Best Pop Album of the Year." Her second double disc studio album, Tropic Electric (2011) saw Turner alter her public image and return to her original sound. She released three moderately successful singles "Rock Paper Scissors," "I Could Stay,"[1] and "Love Again."[2] which gained her another Juno Award Nomination for "Best R&B Album."
Throughout Turner's career, she has been well known for her style and image. She's been ranked on Complex magazine list of "25 Sexiest International Singers You've Never Heard Of" and MuchMusic's "Sexiest Girls list" in 2008. She has been featured on multiple major Canadian magazine covers and starred in a national Kit Kat campaign. Her music has been featured on major network television shows such as Entourage, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl, The Hills, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Smash, Lipstick Jungle and Brothers & Sisters.
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]The oldest of three children born to a Canadian father of Scottish ancestry and a Jamaican mother of African and Chinese descent, Turner was born in Edmonton, Alberta.[3] As a young child, Turner danced in her bedroom to music by jazz musician Oscar Peterson.[4] Turner has always mentioned jazz[5] as an inspiration, especially artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday[6] and Peggy Lee.
In 2000, when Turner was 15, her mother sent her to Jamaica[7] to live and experience Jamaican culture. Turner quickly learned that singing is a big part of everyday life in Jamaica, particularly at the Pentecostal church. Friends convinced her to audition for the youth choir despite her own belief that she could not sing. On the strength of her rendition of Canada's national anthem, Turner was accepted into the choir and began singing gospel songs at the Faith Temple Tabernacle in Bayside, Portmore.[8] Turner says this is the time she realized she loved to sing. She went to Victoria School of the Arts in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada prior to her high school years in Jamaica. Turner attended Wolmer's Girl School in Kingston, Jamaica from 2000 to 2002. She attended Harry Ainlay Composite High School in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada after returning from Jamaica which she then graduated from in 2003.
Musical beginnings
[edit]In 2003, immediately after graduating from high school, Turner became an active member of the underground urban/hip-hop community. Writing, recording and performing all her own material, she aggressively began pursuing her musical career. Turner quickly gained attention from her peers, developing an underground fan base that had a number of industry insiders excited. Turner performed on any and every stage she could, entering and winning several competitions, but it was not until a couple of years later that she was successful.
In 2005, Turner won a talent contest in Edmonton organised by local radio station The Bounce (91.7 FM). Winning the contest allowed her to record four studio tracks in Vancouver with songwriting/production team, Hipjoint Productions,[9] the most important to Kreesha's career being "Bounce With Me".[10] This was noticed by urban and R&B music manager and Canadian entertainment mogul Chris Smith (Nelly Furtado, Fefe Dobson, Tamia) and led to the start of her mainstream music career.
2007–2010: Passion
[edit]
After a successful audition with Virgin Records, she signed a record deal with the Capitol Music Group, under which the Virgin imprint operates. Concurrently, EMI Music Canada signed her to more effectively tap into the Canadian market.
Before her mainstream success, the singer's song "Bounce With Me" was heard as early as spring 2006 on Vancouver stations but was not officially released as a single until 2007. Her first official video was for, "Bounce With Me", which was released to iTunes on December 4, 2007. This single became her first to enter the charts, peaking at number 53 on the Canadian Hot 100. Her follow-up single, "Don't Call Me Baby", was released to radio in April 2008 and on iTunes May 20, 2008. It eventually rose in the Canadian Hot 100 from No. 41 to No. 8,[11] making "Don't Call Me Baby" her first Canadian Top 10 single. "Don't Call Me Baby" reached No. 1 on the Canadian sub HOT AC Charts and remained there for eight consecutive weeks.
On August 5, 2008, Turner's debut album, Passion, was made available for advanced streaming on MuchMusic.com.[12] On August 12, 2008, Passion was released in Canada.
On November 22, 2008, Turner had her first US number-one with her single "Don't Call Me Baby" on the US Billboard Dance Charts.[13]
On March 13, 2009, Turner received an award for "Best New Group/Solo Artist (Rhythmic/Dance/Urban)" at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in Toronto – her first award for her musical contribution. Turner was nominated for two Juno Awards: New Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year. Leading up to the 2009 Juno Awards, Turner appeared in a number of heavily aired Nestle Kit Kat Senses commercials, which feature the singer and her hit song "Bounce With Me".
Turner returned to Hipjoint Productions in Vancouver in spring 2009 to sing on "Dust in Gravity", a song by alt-pop band Delerium which was featured on a new remix collection released in 2010. "Dust In Gravity" featuring lead vocals by Turner reached number-one on the US Billboard Dance Charts on June 5, 2010, giving Turner her second number-one in the US.[14]
2011–2012: Tropic Electric
[edit]On July 5, 2011, Turner premiered her new single, "Rock Paper Scissors". In September of that year, Turner premiered another new single, "I Could Stay", on Canadian radio. Turner released her second album, Tropic Electric in November 2011. She released it as a double disc, one side Tropic, and the other Electric. The Tropic side was recorded in Jamaica, to capture a new type of genre, a mix of reggae and pop music. The Electric side of the album is dedicated to fans who enjoyed the vibe on her previous album, Passion. The third single from the album is "Love Again", which was released in April 2012. In May 2012, Turner provided vocals for Spanish DJ Wally Lopez's debut single "Keep Running the Melody". The song was written by Eritza Laues, Angel David Lopez Alvarez and Ian Alec Harvey Dench. After premiering May 18, 2012, after a series of previews being released onto Lopez's YouTube channel, the song reached No. 1 on the iTunes sales charts within 3 hours of its release. The track later reached No. 1 on multiple charts in Spain, and was a summer hit across the country.[15]
Turner performed her song "Love Again" on the Much Music Video Awards pre show.
2013–2014: Evolution Inevitable
[edit]
In February 2013, producer Young Yonny along with Turner began dropping hints about their new project, tweeting to the hashtag "#EvolutionInevitable". Turner later revealed this would be her upcoming EP's title, and that the project is a significant departure from her previous sound, incorporating Hip-Hop and Dancehall. On April 12, 2013, Turner premiered a new song sung to the instrumental of Lil Wayne's "Mo' Fire", titled "Mo' Fire (Remix)".[16] A music video for the song premiered on April 17, 2013.[17]
Turner announced in an interview that the album is now finished and will be released this year. Turner describes her new album as, "aggressive and in your face, full of sass and completely swagged out. The overall energy is different from my earlier albums. It’s very hip hop."[18] The first single from the album is "MJ" and will be available on ITunes internationally. The music video will be premiering on VEVO May 13, 2014. The album features Kardinal Offishall, while rappers King Chip and Ty Dolla $ign are rumored to be included as well.
2014–Present: Second Life
[edit]After the release of "MJ", Turner found new management under Nick Cannon and the Ncredible imprint. She was then signed by Charlie Walk and Monte Lipman to Republic Records, and her musical sound shifted towards dancehall/reggae. In 2015, she released a single called "Sexy Gal" featuring T.O.K, which received moderate success in the Caribbean and dancehall/reggae community. She went on to record and release a song with Shaggy and Costi called "Reggae Dancer" that received great success overseas but never gained popularity in the United States.
Turner also collaborated with a number of notable modern reggae acts, including Collie Buddz, Ky-Mani Marley, Konshens, and K'Coneil, releasing a number of moderately successful records with them. Her last musical release was in 2017.
Turner then shifted her focus to the world of finance, teaching online about financial literacy, investing in the stock market, and other related topics under the nickname #StockBae.
In addition to her work in finance, Turner has also continued to be involved behind the camera in film and television as a producer. Despite her shift in focus, Turner's musical career has left a lasting impact, with her unique blend of reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop continuing to inspire other artists in the genre.
Artistry
[edit]
Musical style and voice
[edit]Turner possesses the vocal range of Jazz and soprano. She spoke of her beginning with understanding music by stating "I started doing everything I possibly could: I did vocal, guitar, piano, music theatre, acting; I was a part of a gospel choir, jazz choir, I started writing, recording my own material. It was about increasing my odds, and also, increasing my knowledge." On Passion, Kreesha co-wrote just five songs, among them, the album’s title track. That first time out, she went into every writing session with the mindset of a student. "I’d work with a songwriter and they’d ask ‘how do you want to approach this? And I’d say, ‘no, how do you work as a songwriter?’ I wanted to learn, to gain tools to put into my own songwriting tool kit." In early 2010, when Kreesha began the writing/recording process for Tropic Electric, she brought that tool kit to work every day. "Last time I watched them build the house. This time I felt I could grab the tools and do it myself. I was there for the creation of every song and influenced every element.
Influences
[edit]Turner cites the country Jamaica music scene as her inspiration in embarking on a music career. Also, Turner has mentioned jazz[5] as an inspiration, especially artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday[6] and Peggy Lee. Turner's musical tastes developed when she discovered the music of Erykah Badu,[6] Jill Scott[6] and D'Angelo, A Tribe Called Quest, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones, Andre 3000, Common, the Foo Fighters and Our Lady Peace. Turner's early musical expression was through modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop and African dance.
Personal life
[edit]In 2010, Kreesha Turner married Quinton Ward, who was a sports manager and was acting as Kreesha's manager at the time.[19] They are now separated. She owns a pet Shiba Inu named Panda.
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Juno Award for Best New Artist | Nominated |
| Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Canadian Radio Music Awards Best New Group/Solo Artist | Won | |
| MuchMusic Video Awards for International Video of the Year by a Canadian | Nominated | |
| 2012 | MuchMusic Video Awards for Cinematography Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | Nominated |
| 2015 | Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year | Nominated |
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Albums[20] | ||
| Passion | 2008 | 11 |
| Tropic Electric | 2011 | — |
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN | CAN | CAN | U.S. Dance | ||||
| "Bounce With Me" | 2007 | 53 | — | 23 | 26 | — | Passion | |
| "Don't Call Me Baby" | 2008 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 1 | ||
| "Lady Killer" | 54 | — | 19 | 21 | — | |||
| "Passion" | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Dust In Gravity" | 2010 | — | — | — | 49 | 1 | N/a | |
| "Rock Paper Scissors" | 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | Tropic Electric | |
| "I Could Stay" | 59 | 39 | 32 | 26 | — | |||
| "Love Again" | 2012 | 86 | 39 | 45 | 29 | — | ||
| "Keep Running the Melody" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album Single | ||
| "MJ" | 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Sexy Gal" (featuring T.O.K) | 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Reggae Dancer (featuring Shaggy and Costi)" | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||
Collaborations and features
[edit]Dust in Gravity (2010) – Delerium featuring Kreesha Turner
Keep Running the Melody (2012) – Wally Lopez featuring Kreesha Turner
Scattin' On Me (2013) – DeStorm Power featuring Kreesha Turner
Fuckin' Wit Me (2013) – DeStorm Power featuring Koowplayy and Kreesha Turner
Champagne Dreams (2015) – Ky-Mani Marley featuring Kreesha Turner
On To You (Remix) (2015) – Marley Waters featuring Kranium, Kreesha Turner and Verse Simmonds
Bring Me Back (2015) – Sultan & Shepard featuring Kreesha Turner
The Youth (2015) - Kay Cola featuring Kreesha Turner and Jon Famous
Ready Fi Di Action (2015) - The Wizard featuring Kreesha Turner
Can't Wait (2016) – Konshens featuring Kreesha Turner
Bombae (2016) – Siya featuring Jake&Papa and Kreesha Turner
Blu Dot (Remix) (2016) - Dott Richey featuring Kreesha Turner
A.N.F.W.M (2016) – Yonni featuring the Game and Kreesha Turner
Blowin' Up (2016) – Yonni featuring Tank (American singer), Eric Bellinger and Kreesha Turner
I Will Be Here (2016) - Precision Productions featuring Kreesha Turner
Showstopper (2017) - KD Soundsystem, the Wizard featuring Kreesha Turner
Good Day (2017) - The Great Escape featuring the Soul Syndicate and Kreesha
Love How You Whine (2017) – K'Coneil featuring Kreesha Turner
Used to (2017) – Collie Buddz featuring Kreesha Turner
Inna Di Club (2019) - DJ Septik featuring Kreesha Turner and Leftside
References
[edit]- ^ "I Could Stay (Radio Edit) - Single by Kreesha Turner". iTunes. January 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Love Again (Radio Edit) - Single by Kreesha Turner". iTunes. January 2012. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner | New Music And Songs". MTV. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner | Virgin Radio". www.virginradio999.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2009.
- ^ a b "Kreesha Turner: A Passion For Music". ABC News. June 23, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Chatting with Kreesha Turner (a.k.a. the Canadian Rihanna) - Louloumagazine.com". Blogs.louloumagazine.com. August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ nationalpost.com[dead link]
- ^ "Chris Smith Management Inc - Kreesha Turner". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
- ^ "Hipjoint Music Group – YouTube". Hipjointproductions.net. Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Hipjoint Music Group – YouTube". Hipjointproductions.net. Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Canadian Hot 100: Don't Call Me Baby. Billboard.com. June 7, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ MuchMusic.com – First Spin: Kreesha Turner Archived August 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Keep Running The Melody feat. Kreesha Turner (The Remixes) [EMI Spain]". Beatport. May 2, 2012. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Twitter / KreeshaTurner: You heard it yet? we dropped". Twitter.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner – Mo' Fire (Remix) – Official Video". YouTube. April 1, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner – About – Facebook". Facebook.
- ^ https://torontosun.com/2012/01/05/turner-owes-tropic-to-jamaica
- ^ "Kreesha Turner Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Kreesha Turner Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
- ^ "Kreesha Turner Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- ^ "Gold and Platinum Search". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Kreesha Turner
View on GrokipediaBiography
Early life
Kreesha Turner was born on June 10, 1985, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to a father of Scottish and German ancestry and a mother of Jamaican descent with African and Chinese heritage.[9] As the eldest of three siblings, she grew up in a bicultural household that blended Canadian and Jamaican traditions, fostering her early sense of dual identity. Turner's childhood was divided between Edmonton and Jamaica, where she made her first trip at eight months old and visited relatives almost annually thereafter, often during holidays.[10] These frequent stays, particularly in Kingston, exposed her to Jamaican culture from a young age, including the vibrant sounds of reggae through her mother's influence and gospel music in local settings.[3] This back-and-forth lifestyle shaped her appreciation for diverse musical genres and reinforced her bicultural roots, as her family encouraged immersion in both worlds to broaden her perspectives.[11] In Edmonton, Turner attended a performing arts school, where she studied dance and other creative disciplines, honing her artistic interests.[12] At age 15, her parents sent her to Jamaica for secondary education at Wolmer's Girls' School in Kingston, an experience that deepened her connection to her maternal heritage.[13] It was during this time that she was introduced to singing, joining a gospel choir at her school and church, where she discovered her vocal talent after performing a solo rendition of "O Canada" at around 16 years old.[3][11]Musical beginnings
Upon returning to Edmonton from Jamaica around 2003 to complete her final year of high school at Harry Ainlay Composite High School, Kreesha Turner immersed herself in the city's vibrant urban music community.[14] Graduating that year, she quickly became an active participant in Edmonton's underground hip-hop scene, where she honed her vocal skills through local performances and collaborations with emerging artists and producers.[15][16] This period from 2003 to 2006 marked her pre-debut phase, involving gigs at community events and open mics that allowed her to blend R&B influences with the raw energy of hip-hop, shaping her initial sound rooted in the local scene's diversity.[17] A pivotal breakthrough came in 2005 when Turner won The Bounce 91.7 FM's inaugural Showdown talent contest in Edmonton, the city's first major radio-sponsored competition for urban artists.[18] The victory granted her studio time to record a four-track EP, including the track "Bounce with Me," which generated significant local buzz and caught the attention of industry professionals, leading to a development deal and further demo recordings.[4] This exposure highlighted her potential, transitioning her from grassroots involvement to professional opportunities within Canada's music landscape.[19] Building on this momentum, Turner's initial singles and demos impressed executives, culminating in her signing a record deal with EMI Music Canada in 2007, alongside a partnership with Virgin Records (a Capitol Music Group imprint) for international reach.[20] This agreement positioned her for a major label debut, marking the end of her independent musical beginnings and the start of her commercial career.[16]2007–2010: Passion and debut success
In 2007, following her breakthrough in local talent contests, Kreesha Turner signed a recording contract with EMI Music Canada, a subsidiary of the Capitol Music Group, to develop her debut album. The signing allowed her to collaborate with producers such as Jon Levine and Troy Samson, focusing on a blend of pop, R&B, and dance elements. Recording sessions for the album, titled Passion, took place primarily in 2007 and 2008 in studios across Canada and the United States, where Turner co-wrote several tracks to infuse her personal style.[6] Passion was released on August 12, 2008, in Canada through EMI Music Canada, marking Turner's entry into the mainstream music market. The album debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Canadian Albums Chart, reflecting solid initial reception and contributing to her rising profile as a new artist. It featured 15 tracks, including introspective ballads and upbeat dance numbers, and was later made available in the United States in early 2009. The project's commercial foundation was built on its lead singles, which garnered significant radio play and digital sales.[21] The debut single, "Bounce With Me," released on December 4, 2007, introduced Turner's energetic sound and peaked at number 53 on the Canadian Hot 100, while gaining traction through placements in television shows like Gossip Girl and Entourage, as well as advertisements for brands such as iPod and Nikon. Follow-up single "Don't Call Me Baby," issued in May 2008, became her biggest hit, reaching number 8 on the Canadian Hot 100 and topping the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart in November 2008, where it held the number-one position for one week. The track's remix versions, including those by Rich Morel and Bimbo Jones, amplified its dance appeal and marked Turner's first international chart success. Another single, "Lady Killer," released in October 2008, charted at number 54 on the Canadian Hot 100, further showcasing the album's versatility. "Don't Call Me Baby" also earned a certification as one of the most-played songs on Canadian radio in 2008.[22][23][24] To promote Passion, Turner embarked on her first major tour, serving as an opening act for the Backstreet Boys' Unbreakable Tour from November 4 to 17, 2008, performing across North American venues and exposing her music to larger audiences. She made numerous media appearances, including live performances on Canadian television outlets like MuchMusic and interviews highlighting her Canadian-Jamaican heritage. The album's success led to two Juno Award nominations in 2009: Pop Album of the Year for Passion and New Artist of the Year, underscoring her debut's impact on the Canadian music scene. Additionally, she received the Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Solo Artist or Group in 2009.[25][4]2011–2012: Tropic Electric
Following the success of her debut album Passion, which established her presence in the Canadian music scene, Kreesha Turner began work on her sophomore project in early 2010.[26] The recording process for Tropic Electric spanned 2010 to 2011, with the "Tropic" disc captured primarily in Jamaica to incorporate reggae and pop elements, while the "Electric" disc emphasized electronic influences produced in Toronto.[27] This double-disc format allowed Turner to blend genres, drawing on reggae rhythms, pop melodies, and electronic beats for a fresh sound.[28] Tropic Electric was released on November 15, 2011, through EMI Music Canada as a double EP, with one disc dedicated to the tropical reggae-pop fusion and the other to electro-pop tracks.[29] The album achieved moderate commercial success in Canada, supported by radio airplay, though it did not reach the top of the charts like her previous singles.[30] Key singles included "Rock Paper Scissors," released in July 2011 with an accompanying music video directed by Malcolm Lamont, which received airplay on Canadian stations; "I Could Stay," premiered in September 2011 and featured a video showcasing upbeat electronic vibes; and "Love Again," which debuted at number 95 on the Canadian Hot 100 in May 2012.[30][31][32] The album's themes centered on tropical and island motifs, deeply reflecting Turner's Jamaican heritage through her mother's influence and her own upbringing split between Canada and Jamaica.[33] Tracks like those on the "Tropic" side evoked sunny, rhythmic escapism with reggae-infused lyrics about love and freedom, while the "Electric" side added modern, pulsating energy.[28] Turner co-wrote several songs, infusing personal elements of cultural duality and empowerment.[34] To promote Tropic Electric, Turner undertook live performances across Canada and in the Caribbean, including shows in Jamaica tied to the album's recording locations, which highlighted her reggae roots and engaged regional audiences.[27] These efforts included festival appearances and targeted promotions that amplified the album's island-inspired sound. The project earned Turner a nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2013 Juno Awards.[35]2013–2016: Evolution Inevitable and Second Life
In 2013, Kreesha Turner announced her third project, Evolution Inevitable, signaling a shift toward a fusion of hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B influences that drew from her Jamaican roots.[36] The EP's lead single, "Gimmie' Dat" featuring Kardinal Offishall, was released that year, accompanied by a behind-the-scenes video teaser that highlighted her creative direction.[37] Singles from the planned EP, such as "Gimmie' Dat" featuring Kardinal Offishall in 2013 and "MJ" in 2014, were released independently through her own label in partnership with a pressing and distribution deal from Universal Music Canada, marking her first full creative control over production with executive producer Yonni and co-writer Daaron Anthony.[38] A standout track from the project, "MJ," arrived in 2014 as a bold tribute to Michael Jackson, with Turner channeling the King of Pop's iconic style through moonwalking choreography and feminine reinterpretations of his signature looks in the music video, conceptualized by her manager Nick Cannon.[38] The video, styled by Katcha, featured playful elements like her dog Panda and received positive online buzz, including shoutouts from artists Missy Elliott and T-Boz.[39] Following the rollout of singles, Turner signed with Republic Records in 2014 under the Universal Music Group umbrella, a move that amplified her push into the U.S. market and aligned with her evolving sound blending pop, hip-hop, and dancehall.[40] This partnership facilitated her "Second Life" era, a mixtape-style project emphasizing authentic representation and niche appeal, including collaborations like her feature on B.o.B's track for the Drumline 2 soundtrack.[39] Promotional efforts during this period focused on U.S. expansion, including a showcase performance for New York radio station Hot 97 to connect with urban audiences.[39] In 2015, Turner released the single "Sexy Gal" featuring Jamaican dancehall group T.O.K. via Republic Records, a reggae-infused track that garnered moderate success in the Caribbean and within dancehall/reggae circles for its energetic vibe and collaborative energy.[41] The song's video and live promotions, such as appearances at events like Strawberry Hill, underscored her stylistic experimentation.[42] It earned her a 2016 Juno Award nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year, highlighting its impact in the genre.[43] The phase culminated in 2016 with "Reggae Dancer," a collaboration with Shaggy and producer Costi that blended upbeat dancehall rhythms and became a notable hit overseas, particularly in international markets, though it saw limited traction in North America.[44] This track, along with festival and promotional appearances tying back to her reggae-leaning elements from prior work like Tropic Electric, reinforced Turner's mid-career pivot toward global dancehall fusion.[39]2017–2023: Career hiatus and diversification
Following the release of her single "Love How You Whine" featuring K'Coneil in 2017, Turner entered a prolonged hiatus from issuing new music, though she appeared as a featured vocalist on tracks by other artists, including "Used To" by Collie Buddz (2017) and "Inna Di Club" by DJ Septik (2019). No solo original recordings were issued until 2025.[7][45] During this period, she diversified into acting, making her film debut in the 2016 film King of the Dancehall, directed by and starring Nick Cannon, in which she portrayed a character drawing on her Jamaican heritage.[3][46] Despite stepping back from music production, Turner earned a Juno Award nomination in 2018 for Reggae Recording of the Year for "Love How You Whine".[47][48]2024–present: Return to music
After a decade-long hiatus from releasing music, Kreesha Turner announced her return in September 2024, highlighting jazz as her original musical passion that had been reignited through personal travels and self-discovery.[49] In a candid Instagram reel filmed in Bali, she described quitting the industry due to repeated heartbreak but rediscovering joy in singing at open mics across Asia, without commercial expectations, simply to nourish her soul.[49] This shift marked a full-circle moment, drawing from childhood memories of tap-dancing to Oscar Peterson and aspiring to play jazz piano, with Billie Holiday remaining a lifelong influence.[49] Turner marked her re-entry with a new single discussed during an October 9, 2024, appearance on CP24, where she shared insights into her evolving artistry and excitement for fresh material.[50] Embracing a fully independent approach for the first time after years with major labels, she promoted her work through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, including raw live previews and voice notes captured in natural settings. These efforts showcased her unfiltered expression, blending a cappella jazz covers—such as a one-take rendition of Billie Holiday's "Lover Man"—with glimpses of original compositions.[49] In 2025, Turner released a soul-stirring neo-jazz soul collection, her most personal project to date, featuring live orchestration, big-band energy, and raw storytelling centered on healing, self-worth, and empowerment.[2] Tracks like "Black Magic," "Monster Behind the Mask," and "Selfish" integrate themes of travel and wellness, reflecting her journeys through Asia and the restorative power of music in reclaiming her identity.[4] As an independent artist, she has previewed these works at live events and online, fostering direct connections with fans, while hinting at potential tours and collaborations to expand her jazz-focused era.[2] The hiatus, influenced by industry challenges, ultimately provided a renewed creative perspective, allowing her to prioritize authentic expression over commercial pressures.[49]Artistry
Musical style and vocals
Kreesha Turner's music is characterized by a fusion of pop, R&B, and reggae elements, reflecting her Canadian-Jamaican heritage through the incorporation of island rhythms and occasional patois phrasing in her lyrics.[2][51] In her early career, particularly with her 2008 debut album Passion, she embraced contemporary R&B and dance-pop styles, featuring electronic beats and hook-driven production that emphasized radio-friendly accessibility.[21][52] This period showcased her ability to blend upbeat tempos with soulful undertones, as seen in tracks like "Bounce With Me," where synthetic rhythms underpin her emotive delivery.[53] Her vocal style is marked by supple, emotive phrasing and smooth versatility, allowing her to navigate high notes with agility and convey emotional depth across genres.[16][54] Turner's soprano-like range enables fluid transitions between melodic runs and rhythmic patter, contributing to her distinctive sound that balances pop polish with raw expressiveness.[14] On Passion, her vocals often take center stage over layered electronic production, highlighting her agility in uptempo tracks while demonstrating depth in more introspective moments.[55] With her 2011 album Tropic Electric, Turner shifted toward a more organic instrumentation approach, integrating reggae fusion and dancehall influences recorded partly in Jamaica to evoke island rhythms.[29] This dual-disc project contrasted the "Tropic" side's live, rhythmic elements with the "Electric" side's electronic pop, marking an evolution from purely commercial pop to genre-blending experimentation.[14][56] Her mid-career work further incorporated hip-hop and dancehall, using bicultural elements like patois-inflected flows to create hybrid sounds that explored personal and cultural narratives, as seen in singles like "Gimme Dat" (2013).[38][57][36] In her 2025 return to music, Turner has pivoted to jazz and soul-infused compositions, emphasizing introspective themes with minimalistic, organic production that prioritizes vocal nuance over beats.[2] This phase represents a maturation from her initial pop-R&B foundations to more experimental, soul-searching territory, where her versatile vocals shine in storytelling-driven arrangements.[39][58]Influences
Kreesha Turner's musical influences are deeply rooted in her bicultural background, encompassing jazz, reggae, neo-soul, and gospel traditions that have shaped her vocal approach and artistic direction. From an early age, she drew inspiration from jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, whose emotive phrasing and improvisational style influenced her appreciation for nuanced, heartfelt singing.[59] Her Jamaican upbringing introduced reggae and dancehall elements through artists like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, whose rhythmic grooves and socially conscious lyrics informed the island-infused energy in her work, reflecting her mother's musical tastes.[28] During her teenage years in Jamaica, Turner discovered modern neo-soul pioneers Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, whose introspective themes and rich vocal deliveries significantly impacted her songwriting and performance style, bridging her church choir roots with secular R&B.[28][60] Participation in a church choir at age 16 further refined her soulful phrasing, incorporating gospel's dynamic range and emotional depth into her overall sound.[3] These foundational jazz influences resurfaced prominently in her 2025 return to music after a decade-long hiatus, with her latest project featuring soul-stirring elements rooted in Billie Holiday's timeless style, blended with pop-R&B and live orchestration.[2]Personal life and other ventures
Family and background
Kreesha Turner was born to a Canadian father of Scottish and German ancestry and a Jamaican mother of African and Chinese descent, which profoundly influenced her bicultural identity and worldview.[1] This mixed heritage fostered a dual upbringing, blending North American and Caribbean influences from an early age in Edmonton, Alberta.[61] Turner is the eldest of three siblings, with two younger brothers. She married Quinton Ward, a sports manager who also served as her manager, in 2010; they have since separated.[62] Turner sustains deep connections to Jamaica, having attended high school there and making regular visits to relatives during holidays such as Christmas and summer breaks, which reinforce her cultural involvement and sense of belonging to the island.[3] These ongoing ties reflect the enduring impact of her mother's Jamaican roots on her life and artistic expression.[51]Business and creative pursuits
In parallel, Turner launched travel retreat organizations, curating group trips that blend adventure, wellness, and cultural immersion. Notable examples include a 2025 Japan itinerary from September 19–26, covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Mt. Fuji, with activities focused on traditional experiences, modern wellness, and culinary exploration in partnership with JetQuest Travel Club. She has also hosted series in Dubai, such as the December 2025 retreat, and other destinations like Thailand and Bali, emphasizing group bonding and personal growth.[63] These retreats often intersect with her music career by attracting fans, incorporating themed elements like live performances or discussions on artistic inspiration during downtime.[64] These pursuits, managed via her company OH THREE OG, LLC—a multifaceted entertainment entity—reflect her broader entrepreneurial diversification while maintaining ties to creative expression.[65]Accolades
Awards
Kreesha Turner has received recognition primarily in the form of early-career honors that highlighted her emergence in the Canadian music scene. In 2005, she won a talent search contest organized by Edmonton's radio station The Bounce (91.7 FM), which provided her with studio time to record her initial tracks, including "Bounce with Me," marking her professional entry into music production.[18] This regional victory laid the groundwork for her development as an artist in Alberta's urban music community.[4] Her most prominent national accolade came in 2009, when she received the Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Group/Solo Artist of the Year, awarded for her breakthrough performances and airplay success following the release of her debut album Passion.[2] This win, presented at the CRMA ceremony in Toronto, underscored her rapid rise, particularly driven by the hit single "Don't Call Me Baby," which dominated Canadian radio charts in 2008.[14] The award significantly boosted her visibility, leading to expanded promotional opportunities and solidifying her position as a key figure in Canadian R&B and pop, with increased media coverage and performance slots across the country.[4] Up to 2025, Turner's award wins total two major honors, both concentrated in the early phase of her career, reflecting her initial impact before a period of diversification into other creative pursuits. These achievements, while limited in number, were pivotal in establishing her as a breakthrough talent and influencing her trajectory toward international collaborations.[2]Nominations
Kreesha Turner has been nominated five times for Juno Awards, highlighting her impact in pop, R&B/soul, and reggae genres across her early career.[2] In 2009, following the release of her debut album Passion, she received two nominations: New Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year, marking her breakthrough as a promising talent in Canadian pop music.[4][43] Her sophomore album Tropic Electric (2011) led to a 2013 nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, acknowledging her shift toward more eclectic, Jamaica-inspired sounds and her songwriting contributions.[66][4] Turner later garnered recognition in the reggae category, with a 2016 nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year for the single "Sexy Gal" featuring T.O.K., reflecting her growing ties to dancehall influences.[43] This trend continued in 2018 with another nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year, this time for "Love How You Whine" in collaboration with K'Coneil, underscoring her vocal versatility and consistent songwriting acclaim in fusion styles.[67][68] Turner also received nominations at the MuchMusic Video Awards. In 2009, she was nominated for International Video of the Year by a Canadian for "Don't Call Me Baby".[69] In 2012, she earned a nomination for Cinematography of the Year for "Rock Paper Scissors".[8] These nods illustrate a pattern of industry acknowledgment for Turner's ability to blend R&B/soul elements with reggae and pop, emphasizing her role as a multifaceted songwriter and performer in Canadian music.[2]Discography
Studio albums
Kreesha Turner's debut studio album, Passion, was released on August 12, 2008, by EMI Music Canada and Capitol Records. The album blends R&B, pop, and soul influences, showcasing Turner's vocal range and songwriting contributions on several tracks. Key producers included Aaron "AMP" Pearce, who handled much of the programming and music, alongside Alisha Brooks, Jon Levine, and Brass'n'Blues for various songs.[52][70] Standout tracks highlighted the album's hit potential, including the lead single "Don't Call Me Baby," a dance-pop anthem co-produced by Jon Levine that reached No. 8 on the Canadian Hot 100; "Bounce With Me," produced by Mike James and Troy Samson of Hipjoint Productions; and "Lady Killer," which peaked at No. 54 on the same chart. Other notable tracks like "Passion" and "Chains of Love" emphasized emotional ballads and upbeat rhythms. The album debuted and peaked at No. 11 on the Canadian Albums Chart, driven by strong radio play and the success of its singles.[52] Turner's second studio album, Tropic Electric, arrived on November 15, 2011, also via EMI Music Canada and Capitol Records, in a unique double-disc format separating her "Tropic" reggae-infused side from the more electronic "Electric" pop elements. This structure reflected her Jamaican roots and urban influences, creating a reggae-pop fusion that explored themes of love, freedom, and nightlife. Producers varied by disc: The Wizard oversaw the Tropic portion, incorporating dancehall vibes, while the Electric disc featured contributions from Greg Ogan on "I Could Stay," Jon Levine and Shawn Desman on "Love Again," and Bei Maejor on "Wherever You Are." Key tracks included "Rock Paper Scissors" from the Tropic disc, a playful dancehall number, and "I Could Stay" and "Love Again" from Electric, which earned radio airplay and a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. The album achieved moderate commercial success in Canada, with singles charting modestly on the Hot 100, but it did not replicate the breakout impact of her debut.[29][28][26] Following Tropic Electric, Turner shifted her focus away from new studio albums, prioritizing singles, collaborations, and other creative pursuits in music and beyond.Extended plays and mixtapes
Kreesha Turner announced her EP Evolution Inevitable in 2013, with a planned release in 2014 focused on a fusion of hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B tracks aimed at showcasing her artistic evolution.[71] The project was intended for digital distribution and featured production collaborations, including work with executive producer Yonni, but it ultimately remained unreleased as a complete EP, leading to the rollout of individual singles like "MJ."[39][38] In 2015, Turner released The Body Pt. 1, a mixtape formatted as an EP, distributed digitally for free via promotional platforms.[51][72] The project emphasized energetic and sensual themes through tracks blending R&B and dancehall influences, highlighted by the lead single "Sexy Gal" featuring T.O.K., which gained traction for its bold, confident vibe.[72] A second part was anticipated but did not materialize as a full follow-up release.[51] By November 2025, Turner had begun work on a jazz-inspired EP, drawing from her vocal training roots, but no full release had occurred.[73]Singles
Kreesha Turner's singles career began with the release of "Bounce With Me" in 2008 as the lead single from her debut album Passion. The track, blending R&B and pop elements, peaked at number 53 on the Canadian Hot 100 and helped establish her presence in the Canadian music scene, though it received limited international attention.[74] A music video was produced, emphasizing energetic dance sequences that reflected the song's upbeat theme. The follow-up single, "Don't Call Me Baby," released in 2008, became Turner's breakthrough hit. It reached number 8 on the Canadian Hot 100 and topped the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart for one week in November 2008, marking her first number-one single in the United States.[75] The song was the most-played track on Canadian radio in 2008 and was certified Platinum in Canada by Music Canada for sales exceeding 80,000 units.[76] Its empowering lyrics about moving on from a toxic relationship resonated widely, and the official music video, directed with a glamorous aesthetic, garnered significant airplay. Multiple remixes, including the Bimbo Jones Radio Edit and Rich Morel's Pink Noise Vocal Mix, were released to support its dance chart success. In 2011 and 2012, Turner released singles from her second album Tropic Electric, shifting toward a fusion of pop and dancehall influences. "Rock Paper Scissors," the lead single in 2011, featured a playful narrative about romantic decision-making and included a music video highlighting vibrant, tropical visuals. It achieved moderate radio play in Canada but did not enter major charts. "Love Again," released in late 2011 as the third single, explored themes of renewal in love with an electro-pop sound; a radio edit and music video were produced, contributing to her Juno Award nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2012.[77][78] From 2013 to 2016, Turner's singles leaned more into dancehall and reggae fusion. "MJ," released in 2014 as the lead single from her planned album Evolution Inevitable, paid homage to Michael Jackson with its rhythmic production and was accompanied by an official music video premiered on VEVO. It received positive media coverage for its nostalgic appeal but saw limited commercial charting. "Sexy Gal," a 2015 collaboration with Jamaican group T.O.K., embraced dancehall vibes and earned a Juno nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year in 2016; the track's music video showcased energetic choreography and whining skills, boosting its play in Caribbean and urban radio markets. "Reggae Dancer," featuring Shaggy and produced by Costi in 2016, highlighted Turner's Jamaican roots with upbeat reggae rhythms and was released as a single, gaining traction in international dancehall circles through its infectious hook and collaborative star power.[79] In 2025, Turner returned with jazz-influenced singles marking a stylistic evolution toward more introspective sounds while maintaining her soulful delivery; releases include "Monster Behind the Mask" and "Selfish," generating media buzz during promotional interviews and signaling her independent era after major label affiliations.[2][50]| Single | Year | Album/EP | Peak Chart Positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Bounce With Me" | 2008 | Passion | CAN: 53 | None |
| "Don't Call Me Baby" | 2008 | Passion | CAN: 8 US Dance: 1 | CAN: Platinum (80,000 units) |
| "Rock Paper Scissors" | 2011 | Tropic Electric | — | None |
| "Love Again" | 2011 | Tropic Electric | CAN: 86 | None |
| "MJ" | 2014 | Evolution Inevitable (unreleased) | — | None |
| "Sexy Gal" (feat. T.O.K.) | 2015 | Standalone | — | None |
| "Reggae Dancer" (feat. Shaggy & Costi) | 2016 | Standalone | — | None |
| "Monster Behind the Mask" | 2025 | Standalone | — | None |
| "Selfish" | 2025 | Standalone | — | None |