Samantha Deshaun (born September 4, 1994), known professionally as LightSkinKeisha, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and influencer. She started her online career in 2014, posting comedic videos to Instagram and YouTube, several of which went viral.
LightSkinKeisha | |
|---|---|
 LightSkinKeisha in 2024 | |
| Born | Samantha Deshaun September 4, 1994 |
| Other names | Big Bank Beisha[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Spouse |
Coca Vango (m. 2024) |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Hitco |
She released her debut single as a rapper, "Weather", in 2017. After signing with L.A. Reid's record label Hitco in 2018, she released six mixtapes from 2018 to 2023: That's Just the Bottom Line (2018)—which featured her breakout singles "Believe Dat" and "Ride Good"—Act Up SZN (2019), Talk That Talk, Clones (both 2020), Break the Bank (2021), and Thought I Was Done? (2023).
On television, she appeared on the ninth season of the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (2020) and made her acting debut as BruShandria Carmichael on the Starz television series Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024).
Life and career
editSamantha Deshaun was born on September 4, 1994[2][3] in Decatur, Georgia[4] and raised in Atlanta by a single mother along with her seven siblings.[2] She started cheerleading competitively at age 7 and competed for 13 years until she began working in the service industry.[5][6]
LightSkinKeisha's stage name was inspired by the character Kisha from the 1998 film Belly, whom she described as "dark-skin Kisha".[7] She first became popular as an influencer for comedic videos she posted to her Instagram and YouTube accounts starting in 2014, wherein she discussed her relationships and everyday life.[8] A video of her rapping about "burnt pussy lips" went viral and soundtracked twerking videos on YouTube and Dubsmash. Her debut single as a rapper, "Weather", was released on SoundCloud in the summer of 2017 and gained traction on the service.[5] She released her single "Treadmill" in June 2018 along with an animated web series for the song.[9] Her song "Believe Dat" was released in August 2018 with a music video filmed at Magic City.[10] In 2018, LightSkinKeisha was signed to the L.A. Reid-owned record label, Hitco.[8] Her debut mixtape, That's Just the Bottom Line, was released in December 2018 and included "Believe Dat" and her breakout song "Ride Good" featuring B. Smyth.[6][11][12] On July 26, 2019, she released the mixtape Act Up SZN on streaming through Hitco.[13]
LightSkinKeisha was nominated for the iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New R&B Artist in 2020.[14] LightSkinKeisha released the mixtapes Talk That Talk and Clones in February and September 2020, respectively, with "B.R.A.T." (featuring Blac Youngsta) released as the lead single of Clones.[12][15] She was featured on the Saucy Santana song "Back It Up", which was released as a single from his debut album, Pretty Little Gangsta, in August 2020 with a music video.[16] She released her mixtape Break the Bank in 2021, which was preceded by the singles "Blue Hunnids" and "Freaky Dancer", which featured Trina.[6][17] Her single "Pop Shit Queen" was released in February 2022.[18] She released the project Thought I Was Done? in May 2023.[19]
LightSkinKeisha appeared on the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta in its ninth season in 2020.[15][20] Also in 2020, she began starring on the Courtney A. Kemp-created Starz crime drama television series Power Book II: Ghost as BruShandria Carmichael, an outspoken college student, and appeared on the show's first three seasons.[1][6]
Musical style
editLightSkinKeisha's music is hip hop and R&B.[21] Chris Kelly of The Washington Post wrote in 2019 that LightSkinKeisha's music "offer[ed] sexually empowered lyrics and the outsize swagger of [her] male counterparts".[22] Aleia Woods of XXL described her rapping flow as "in-your-face", while The Source wrote that she had a "demanding attitude" in her music.[12][23] Robyn Mowatt of Okayplayer wrote that LightSkinKeisha's music was "filled with brash soliloquies and catchy lines paired with bouncy trap beats".[17]
Personal life
editLightSkinKeisha has stated that she was homeless in early 2018 and alternated between living in hotels and in her car.[24] LightSkinKeisha got engaged to rapper Coca Vango in 2022 and married him in January 2024.[2][19] Their son, Amin, was born on January 14, 2024.[21]
Discography
editMixtapes
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| That's Just the Bottom Line |
|
| Act Up SZN |
|
| Talk That Talk |
|
| Clones |
|
| Break the Bank |
|
| Thought I Was Done? |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B/HH Air. [25] | |||
| "Weather" | 2017 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Cash Shit" | — | ||
| "Treadmill" | 2018 | — | |
| "Believe Dat" | 39 | That's Just the Bottom Line | |
| "Ride Good" (featuring B. Smyth) |
26 | ||
| "I'm Gucci" | — | ||
| "Hey LightSkin" (featuring Yella Beezy) |
2019 | — | Non-album single |
| "On Read" (featuring Kash Doll) |
— | Act Up SZN | |
| "PBWA" | — | Talk That Talk | |
| "Queen Kong" | 2020 | — | Clones |
| "B.R.A.T." (featuring Blac Youngsta) |
— | ||
| "FDH" | 2021 | — | Break the Bank |
| "Sheesh" (with Kissie Lee) |
— | My Love | |
| "Drama" | — | Non-album single | |
| "Blue Hunnids" | — | Break the Bank | |
| "Margarita" | — | ||
| "Freaky Dancer" (featuring Trina) |
— | ||
| "Pop Shit Queen" | 2022 | — | Thought I Was Done? |
| "Play Me" | — | ||
| "Gimme Head" | — | ||
| "Ass on Me" | 2023 | — | |
| "Fine AF" | — | Non-album single |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Poppin' Champagne" (Showtime Showtime featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
2017 | Non-album single |
| "Sassy" (Blacc Zacc featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
2019 | Trappin Like Zacc |
| "On His Face" (Trina featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
The One | |
| "Atlanta" (Stevie B. featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
Non-album single | |
| "Back It Up" (Saucy Santana featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
2020 | Pretty Little Gangsta |
| "Falling Apart" (Lil Migo featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
Non-album single | |
| "It's a Vibe" (Saucy Santana featuring LightSkinKeisha and DreamDoll) |
It's a Vibe | |
| "Top Bitch" (Chinese Kitty featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
2021 | SMD |
| "I'm Dat Girl" (36 Rich featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
2022 | Non-album singles |
| "Outside" (J3X featuring LightSkinKeisha) |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Do It" | 2018 | Latto | Mulatto |
| "Light Skin Like Keisha" | Ace Cino | Mafia Life | |
| "Okay Bitch" | Tokyo Vanity, Tasha Catour | B.A.P.S | |
| "Snow" | Coca Vango | Jugg Baby | |
| "4 Play" | 2019 | L.I. Tha Great | The Collective Project |
| "Nasty Wit It" | Nechie | SSN: Southside Nechi (The Full Story) | |
| "Freak Freak" | Coca Vango, Renni Rucci | Mr. Vango | |
| "Gymnastics" | Trip Rexx | Lopsided | |
| "PowerPuff Girls" | 2020 | Kelow LaTesha, Rico Nasty | TSA |
| "Bankroll" | Coca Vango | From Rags to Jugg Riches |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Wild 'n Out | Herself | Episode: "Ski Mask the Slump God/LightSkinKeisha" |
| 2020 | Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Herself | Recurring (season 9) |
| 2020–2024 | Power Book II: Ghost | BruShandria Carmichael | Recurring role; 22 episodes |
| 2022 | The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Herself | Episode: "The Edge of Fashion" |
References
edit- ^ a b Germain, Tabie (February 10, 2022). "LightSkinKeisha recalls the reassuring "Power Book II" talk she had with Michael Rainey Jr". Revolt. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Ayoola, Elizabeth (February 8, 2024). "This 'Power Book II: Ghost' Star Is A New Mom — And Officially A Married Woman". Essence. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ @lightskinkeisha (September 4, 2023). "Thank you God for another year of life, and to the new life growing within me! Happy Birthday to me ☺️🖤🎉🤰🏽" – via Instagram.
- ^ Ju, Shirley (November 25, 2020). "LightSkinKeisha has been working nonstop during quarantine while you've been slacking". Revolt. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Gaillot, Ann-Derrick (November 14, 2018). "How LightSkinKeisha turned viral moments into good-ass music". The Fader. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Alston, Trey (March 11, 2022). "LightSkinKeisha Takes No Days Off". Paper. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ DJ Smallz Eyes (September 11, 2017). "Light Skin Keisha Reveals Origin Of Her Name and Ethnicity" (YouTube video). YouTube. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
My name came from ... well, have you ever seen the movie Belly? So, you know, Kisha. She's like a dark skin Kisha ... I just love the role that she played.
- ^ a b Seabrook III, Robby (November 28, 2018). "LightSkinKeisha Freestyle: Watch Atlanta Rapper Make It Look Easy". XXL. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta Rising Star LightSkinKeisha Drops New Single, 'Treadmill'". Respect. June 5, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Hussein, Wandera (August 24, 2018). "LightSkinKeisha's 'Believe Dat' video will make you want to shake your ass". The Fader. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Maduakolam, Emmanuel (December 14, 2018). "LightSkinKeisha Drops Her New Project 'That's Just the Bottom Line'". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Woods, Aleia (September 4, 2020). "Big Sean, 6ix9ine, LightSkinKeisha and More: New Projects This Week". XXL. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Burton, Brittany (July 21, 2019). "LightSkinKeisha Talks 'Act Up SZN', BET Awards & Being A Rising Superstar". Respect. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (January 8, 2020). "Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Jonas Brothers & More Nominated for iHeartRadio Music Awards: See Full List". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Miss2Bees (October 9, 2020). "Lightskin Keisha is Unsure About Returning to 'Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta'". The Source. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Williams, Aaron (August 13, 2020). "Saucy Santana's 'Back It Up' Video With LightSkinKeisha Gets Messy". Uproxx. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Mowatt, Robyn (February 4, 2022). "How LightSkinKeisha's Rap Confidence Landed Her a Role in The 'Power' Universe". Okayplayer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Inman, DeMicia (February 27, 2022). "ICYMI: Music Releases You Probably Didn't Hear In Feb. 2022". Vibe. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Trapp, Malcolm (February 7, 2024). "LightSkinKeisha And Coca Vango Welcome A Baby Boy And Announce Their Marriage: 'He's Everything We Prayed For'". Rap-Up. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Video: VH1's 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' - First Look Clip & Cast". The Futon Critic. February 18, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Andaloro, Angela (February 7, 2024). "LightSkinKeisha and Coca Vango Welcome Baby After Secretly Tying the Knot: 'Truly Blessed' (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Chris (March 8, 2019). "Three up-and-coming female rappers show their talent — briefly — at Fillmore Silver Spring". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Miss2Bees (March 6, 2021). "Kissie Lee Links Up With Lightskin Keisha for 'Sheesh'". The Source. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Seabrook III, Robby (December 19, 2018). "The Break Presents: LightSkinKeisha". XXL. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Peak positions on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for:
- "Ride Good": "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: Week of December 15, 2018". Billboard.
- "Believe Dat": "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: Week of June 15, 2019". Billboard.