Keely B

Keely B makes a stunning debut onto the international music scene with his enticing new album entitled, ZONED OUT, on Uptempo International Music (UIM)/Negril West Inc (NWI). Fueled by the pulsating rhythms of the Caribbean, Keely B captures all the elements that make up the new layered vibe of dancehall reggae spiced with the mainstream sounds of R&B, hiphop, and good old school soul. It is music modernity at it’s finest. And with his bubbling personality and inspired stage presence, Keely B is poised to bring his unique brand of song styling to the WORLD.

Working closely with the UIM team of producers, Keely wrote ZONED OUT in its entirety with the exception of one track. The first single, “Kal-I-4-nia Dream’n,” is a rhythmically infectious cover of the classic 60’s anthem by the Mammas and the Papas. The single successfully reinvents the classic rock and roll song with Keely’s unique Caribbean vibe. ZONED OUT opens with the Latin infused “Sweet Senorita” and continues to build on the party vibe with songs like “Party Time,” “Get Away,” “Time to Wine,” “Zoned Out,” and “Hype Up.” The complete album is a vibrant blend of this young singer’s tremendous vocal ability mixed with the pulsating rhythms built by the UIM producers Shawn “Krucial” Myrie, Andrew “Blacka P” Myrie, and Justus “JusBus” Arison.

Born Matthew Keaveny, Keely got the nickname “Mr. B” in school because the girls would laugh at his impersonation of the British television character, Mr. Bean. “I was definitely the class clown...and in Jamaican fashion my school mates also changed the Keaveny to Keely - naming me Keely B.” Keely attended St. Peter and Paul Prep School and Campion High School before studying economics for a year at the University of the West Indies (UWI). “When the introductory course of economics came by, I realized I could use it in the business world and gravitated to it. Eventually, I want to go back and further my studies, but my love for music has captured my spirit for now.”,

Just 21 years old, Keely B sang in his school choir and started doing MC gigs on the Jamaican sound system scene with Uptempo Disco in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica (JA). “The singing came later, just like two years ago. The Myrie brothers, Shawn “Krucial” and Andrew “Blacka P,” owners of Uptempo Disco, encouraged me to try singing. At first, I was unsure if I liked singing, but the response was tremendous so I just went with the flow. I voiced a song on one of Shawn’s rhythms under his emerging label UIM, and my singing career was launched.”

Keely B takes Caribbean music to a new level building on a wide range of influences from people like Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Cliff, Usher, and Shabba Ranks to name a few. Keely sees Jamaica as vibes central. “The nightlife is crazy, we have great historical sites, and we have the best food; but it’s the music that’s dominating right now. Artists like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff have helped open the door to the world, and I just want to use that start to bring my special sound to people everywhere. There are so many great artists coming out of Jamaica with lots of different sounds. It’s not just reggae and dancehall. There is the classic R&B, hip hop, world music, pop music, and more all mixed up into one. My music weaves together all of these elements to make a sound bigger than the traditional labels “reggae” or “hip hop” or “pop”... I hope my music will transcend all boundaries and just be known as a music for the People.”

Keely B, the new “Jamaican Usher,” as his friends and fans back home in JA affectionately call him, stays focused through his spiritual commitment and the guidance he’s received throughout the years. “My values are high and squandering money won’t be an issue. The world has seen so many celebrities lose everything. I learn from other people’s mistakes, and my family has taught me to watch the world with open and conscious eyes.”