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“I've always been the music kid. I’ve been singing ever since I could talk”

If you’re scrolling through your For You Page on TikTok it’s not a surprise if you’ve come across rising star Keenan Te singing in his car. Amassing more than 2 million followers on the platform and 100 million streams on Spotify, he’s captured listeners spanning far and wide. He’s gained the attention of stars such as Meghan Trainor and Jennifer Hudson, and it doesn’t stop there.

So who exactly is Keenan Te and why are people obsessed?

While the accolades speak for themselves, he’s also your ordinary Melbourne boy obsessed with coffee. Finding a love for music from a young age, he always knew he was made for this path, and now a few years later he’s “making music for fans to scream in the car” - a motto coined by him. 

A fan of R&B, Keenan always thought he was destined for that route, but not everything goes as planned. After trial and error he found the sound of soft-pop, something that truly resonated with him. “I actually wanted to be a R&B singer. I thought that I was going to be the next big thing. But I've always loved singing ballads. I remember in singing lessons my music teacher would be so confused because one week I would be singing crazy R&B songs and then the next week I'm singing “Someone Like You” by Adele,” Keenan tells Ones To Watch.

Sporting a unique blend of R&B, pop, and indie that's both introspective and emotionally evocative, Keenan’s music often features dreamy melodies, smooth vocals, and heartfelt lyrics that explore themes of love, self-reflection, and personal growth. His music creates soulful storytelling and a “safe space”, making it the perfect blend best to listen to alone.

Keenan reminds us however that not everything has to be experienced alone. He’s built a community of understanding, where listeners are invested and are wanting to know more of his story through his songs. “It's just so rewarding for me to know that my story and my music are helping so many people. Ever since I started singing my main goal is to either help people or create something that allows people to process their own emotions,” he says.

Showing his growth, his debut EP Phases bares all bones. The body of work takes us on a journey of individual heartbreak and the healing that comes with it. A direct reflection of how he was, Keenan reassures us that everything happens for a reason and in hindsight it’s a lesson of life.

Keenan Te's musical journey, from a kid singing from the heart to a rising star, is a testament to embracing change. His shift from R&B to soft-pop led to an offering of a safe space for listeners. With more growth still to come, we can anticipate more music that is a reflection of that.