/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f47be960fbb62f054d754fc/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=960&cropY1=204&cropY2=744)
Keith Harris. Courtesy of Sven Doornkaat.
Sven Doornkaat
Today, two-time Grammy-winning producer, live touring drummer for Black Eyed Peas, songwriter and musician Keith Harris released his debut album, The Keith Harris Experience Vol. 1. The body of work pays homage to the roots of the Chicago house and footwork music scenes, and it boasts collaborations with Estelle, Jordin Sparks, Church Boi and more.
Harris was born and raised in Chicago’s South Side where he was exposed to different genres of music from a young age, such as house, soul and jazz. “As I got older, I’ve learned how to stir the pot on all of those influences, which created The Keith Harris Experience Vol. 1,” he notes. The album nods to these different influences: “Footwerk” showcases footwork music, while “Get It” draws inspiration from Chicago house music and “Solid Gold” features soulful lyrics by Sparks.
Considering Harris’ illustrious career to date, it may be surprising to some that this is his debut album. The musician says that he had been working on the album for over a year, but he didn’t have the time to finish it due to his busy schedule of touring and producing music for other artists. However, the COVID-19 crisis forced Harris to stop touring and stay at home more, which he says allowed him to prioritize his goals as an individual artist. “In this particular time, it gave me a chance to focus on myself and what my long-term goals are for myself as a musician and artist,” he adds. “So I think that’s why this project I feel needs to come out now, because it will set up a good foundation for future plans for myself as an artist.”
As the album name suggests, this is only volume one of the LPs Harris will be releasing, and he adds that he has already started working on volume two. “That’s why it’s called The Keith Harris Experience. It’s because I want to give people different experiences—not just one particular style of music for all of my projects,” Harris says. “Chicago is a melting pot of different influences that made me the musician that I am, so each one of my volumes of work will feature one of those influences.”
Harris initially got into making music by playing with the city’s New Friendship Baptist Church gospel choir when he was a child. It was there he learned how to play the drums before he continued to hone his craft by playing for his high school band, adding that performing for his high school allowed him access to the musical instruments he couldn’t afford on his own. He then went on to attend Berklee School of Music, and has since been named “the hottest drummer in hip-hop” by Drum! Magazine.
“It was a gradual process from a childhood love of playing, and that’s all I ever really wanted to do: was just play drums,” he says. “It’s taken me all around the world, two Grammys, lots of songs, and a community of family and friends that I’ve had all of these years just from the love of music.”
Even with all the milestones that he has achieved, Harris says the release of The Keith Harris Experience Vol. 1 is his music career highlight. He says that although it may not be as successful as a Black Eyed Peas album that he worked on, he feels proud to release his own music. He adds that if he had to go back to the beginning of his career and give himself one piece of advice, it would be to stay focused.
“I would say to a lot of young musicians or artists is just take your time and grow into the person that’s not only going to be the person you are today but the person [you will be] 10 [or] 20 years from now, so you can appreciate the success of your youth,” he says. “You have to know who you are and be happy with who you are before you get successful. I just feel like that’s the most important thing: stay focused, stay humble and stay grounded.”