Although her music is a profound part of her life, in her own right Michaels is an activist devoted to improving her Pittsburgh community. She volunteers at homeless shelters, and performs at charitable events as well as helping organizing them. She was a performer at the annual Harambee Black Arts Festival, Aug. 4 in Homewood.
“There’s so many topics that need to be discussed musically. I think people are afraid to speak out against things,” she said.
According to her producer, Dwayne Fulton, although Michaels isn’t afraid to speak out, she has a lighter side that, in addition to her unique sound, makes the artist a pleasure to work with. “She is a comedian,” he said. “There were times that we would laugh and joke and cut up all the time and not get things done because of the comedic fodder.”
One of the topics Michaels wants discussed is what she describes as the “Black Plight,” or the lack of credit, stigma, and general struggle to survive she feels many African American individuals face. Michaels wants to use her music to change things in her community for the best and encourage Black men and women to work together.
“I’m going to break down those walls, I’m going to speak out,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s gonna get airplay but I’m going to the walls of a system that has been designed to destroy the credibility of the Black community.”
Her current single is entitled, “I love you,” off her EP, “Relationships.” The song is available on YouTube, and at keamichaels.com, which is also the best way to contact Michaels.
Place the words “Relationships” and “I love you” together, and one would assume the song is about a boyfriend, a husband, a significant other. But for Michaels, the song takes on an entirely different meaning.
“I wrote the song because my daughter, Alyssa, she was born with hydronephrosis,” Michaels told the Courier. Hydronephrosis is a condition where there’s an obstruction in one or both kidneys, with little to no function. After a failed surgery at 6 months old for Alyssa, “I lost hope and faith in the medical system…and feared doctors. I began treating her myself, changing her diet, and in doing my own research I found out so many things the doctors never told me. Certain things she couldn’t eat because it would contribute to her kidney function levels being high, meaning the kidney was working harder. I had to be her doctor.”
Over time, Alyssa began having high blood pressure, blacking out, and eventually, another surgery was needed. “In 2015 we made the decision to remove the kidney, she had the surgery without complications except for the healing process,” Michaels said about Alyssa, who is now 15 years old.
“I thought I was going to lose her, and I questioned my life as a woman and mother. Always working, on the go, going to college, seeking loving relationships. Was I too late? Did I choose everything over her? Was I searching and looking for love? Did I devote enough time to her? Is it too late? I began singing this song and writing it in memory and love of her.”
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