Kiesza
Biography
Kiesza (born Kiesa Rae Ellestad) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer, born January 16, 1989, in Calgary, Alberta.
She studied classical ballet as a child, then switched to sailing as a teenager. She later joined the Royal Canadian Navy with her brother. Alongside that, she entered Miss Universe Canada and took tap, jazz dance, and drama classes. At 18, she wrote her first song following her parents’ divorce, and in the same year heard one of her tracks played on the radio for the first time.
After early material that initially leaned toward folk, she recorded demos and gathered them into an album project before applying to the music program at Selkirk College. She left for Hawaii before receiving an answer, then returned to Canada after a phone call confirming her acceptance. She studied guitar, singing, and keyboards for a year, then earned a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Through one of her professors, she met producer Rami Samir Afuni. Together they explored new approaches, moving away from folk and toward the genres associated with her idols CeCe Peniston, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. She was later selected to perform at Trafalgar Square in London in front of 30,000 people during Canada Day celebrations.
In 2013, she provided vocals for Norwegian group Donkeyboy on Triggerfinger. She also contributed as a songwriter for Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, and Icona Pop.
In January 2014, she released her debut single Hideaway on the Lokal Legend label. Upon its official release in late April, it reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart. The video was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Choreography, and surpassed 500 million views on the artist’s official YouTube channel.
Following that breakthrough, she released a cover of What Is Love (1993) by Haddaway. She then put out additional tracks, including a cover of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” and Giant in My Heart, which became her second official single.
In 2015, she collaborated with Duran Duran on the album “Paper Gods.” In 2017, she appeared on “Ain’t No Party” from “Red Lips” by Cerrone, and collaborated with Bakermat on Don't Want You Back. That same year, a car accident in Toronto caused serious injuries and forced her to step away from her career for several years while recovering.