Keshi (singer)

Last updated

Keshi
Keshi in Manila.jpg
Keshi in Manila in 2025
Born
Casey Thai Luong

(1994-11-04) November 4, 1994 (age 30)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • multi-instrumentalist
Musical career
Genres
Years active2017–present
Labels Island
Website keshimusic.com
Signature
Keshi sig.svg

Casey Thai Luong (born November 4, 1994), [1] known professionally as Keshi, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He debuted in 2017 with the single "Over U", and has since gained recognition for his lo-fi and R&B works with emotional lyricism. The following year, he released his first extended play (EP) The Reaper.

Contents

Keshi's debut album Gabriel was released in 2022, while his sophomore album Requiem was released in 2024. Both albums reached the top-thirty on the US Billboard 200. Three of his singles have been certified gold in Australia and Canada.

Early life

Casey Thai Luong was born in Houston, Texas to parents of Vietnamese American descent and grew up in Sugar Land. [2] His parents worked as computer programmers. [3] Despite living in an ethnically diverse community with a large Asian American population, he often felt out of place and disconnected from his heritage while growing up. [4]

He was inspired to learn the guitar because of Drake Bell's character on Drake & Josh . [5] He taught himself the instrument using his grandfather's classical guitar and Vietnamese music book. [6] [7]

He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. [8] He then worked as an oncology nurse at the Texas Medical Center for two years. [9]

The stage name "Keshi" is the childhood nickname his fiancée's parents gave him. [10] He and his fiancée have known each other since fifth grade. [11] [12]

Career

Luong adopted the moniker "Keshi" and began to share music via his SoundCloud page around 2017. [3] He credited tutorial videos on YouTube for teaching him in writing, producing, and engineering music. [4] [8] He gained a small following after posting his first released song, "If You’re Not the One for Me Who Is" on a subreddit's monthly music competition. [10] He released The Reaper on November 13, 2018. [6] In 2019, he quit his job as a nurse and signed with Island Records. [13] He released his Skeletons EP on July 16, 2019. He embarked on the "Skeletons Tour" in support of the album in 2019. [9] On March 24, 2020 he released his Bandaids EP. [13] He released his Always EP on October 23, 2020. [12]

He released his debut studio album, Gabriel, on March 25, 2022. [14] [15] He embarked on the global "Hell/Heaven Tour" in support of the album in 2022. [16] He embarked on the global "Hell & Back Tour" with Deb Never, Weston Estate, No Rome and James Ivy in 2023. [17] [18] He also embarked on the Asian "Epilogue Tour" in 2023. [19] He released his second studio album, Requiem, on September 13, 2024. [20] [21] The album was recorded as a tribute to Sebastian Sdaigui, a friend and collaborator who died shortly before the release of Gabriel. [22] He embarked on the "Requiem World Tour" with Mac Ayres, Boylife, and Starfall in support of the album in 2024 and 2025. [23] [24]

Artistry

Keshi has cited John Mayer, Frank Ocean, the 1975, Drake, Bryson Tiller, Queen, Michael Jackson, and Nick Drake as his musical influences. [25] [26] [27] [21] [28]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
[29]
AUS
[30]
CAN
[31]
NZ
[32]
Gabriel
  • Released: March 25, 2022
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
167270
Requiem
  • Released: September 13, 2024
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
27144121

Extended plays

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsTrack listings
US
Heat.

[33]
US
Sales

[34]
The Reaper [6]
Track listing
  1. "The Reaper"
  2. "Like I Need You"
  3. "2 Soon"
  4. "I Swear I'll Never Leave Again"
Skeletons [9]
  • Released: July 16, 2019
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
550
Track listing
  1. "Atlas"
  2. "Skeletons"
  3. "Summer"
  4. "XOXOSOS"
Bandaids [13]
  • Released: March 24, 2020
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
72
Track listing
  1. "Less of You"
  2. "Alright"
  3. "Blue"
  4. "Right Here"
  5. "Bandaids"
Always [12]
  • Released: October 23, 2020
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
76
Track listing
  1. "Always"
  2. "More"
  3. "Drunk"
  4. "Talk"
  5. "B.Y.S."
  6. "Us"

Single albums

TitleDetailsTrack listings
If You're Not the One for Me Who Is
  • Released: October 23, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Streaming
Track listing
  1. "If You're Not the One for Me Who Is"
  2. "Goes to Waste"
  3. "They Don't Fly as High as They Used To"
Good Days
  • Released: May 10, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Streaming
Track listing
  1. "Good Days"
  2. "Say Something"
  3. "Godsplan"
Bandaids (Live Sessions)
  • Released: April 17, 2020
  • Label: Island Records
  • Formats: Streaming
Track listing
  1. "Alright" (live sessions)
  2. "Bandaids" (live sessions)

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
IND MLY NZ
Hot

[36]
PHL SGP
[37]
TWN
[38]
VIE
[39]
"Over U"2017Non-album single
"If You're Not the One for Me Who Is"If You're Not the One for Me Who Is
"As Long as It Takes You"Non-album singles
"Magnolia"
"Just Friends"
"Good Days"2018
"Onoffonoff"
"2 Soon" [40] The Reaper
"Right Here"2019Bandaids
"Blue"
"More"2020Always
"Always"
"Drunk"
"Beside You" [41] 20217Non-album single
"Somebody" [44] 24Gabriel
"Touch" [27] 202224
"Get It" [45]
"Limbo"20231014202316
"Understand"
"Say" [46] 2024928Requiem
"Dream" [47] 21
"Texas" [48] 31
"Wantchu" [49] 20253168Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart, chart did not exist, or were not released in that region.
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Hot

[36]
"Pillows" [50]
(with EaJ)
2020Non-album single
"War With Heaven" [51] 2021 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album
"Sociopath"
(with Jeremy Zucker)
Crusher
"It's You" [52]
(Max featuring Keshi)
202223Non-album single
"Baby Chop"
(Boylife featuring Keshi and No Rome)
2025Jones

Other charted songs

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
MLY
[53]
NZ
Hot

[54]
PHL SGP
[37]
"Night"202415Requiem
"Soft Spot"2376810
"Like That"13
"Bodies"17
"Kiss Me Right"19

Songwriting credits

TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumCreditsWritten with
"(What I Wish Just One Person Would Say to Me) aka Happy for You"2020 LANY Mama's Boy Co-writer/guitaristPaul Jason Klein
"Forever"Rei BrownCo-writer George Miller and Ray Brown
"Tanlines"2025BoylifeJonesCo-writer/vocalsBoylife, Gabriele Durastanti, Nick Velez,

Daniel Chae, and Benny Bock

Tours

See also

References

  1. "Keshi: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  2. Guerra, Joey (October 29, 2020). "The journey of Houston's Keshi from TMC nurse to pop star". Preview | Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Vine, Katy (October 2, 2024). "Keshi Braces for Superstardom". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Liotta, Edoardo (October 8, 2019). "From Nursing To Lo-Fi Music: Keshi's Unusual Rise To Fame". Vice. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  5. "Keshi Shares His Most Raw Emotions on New EP Bandaids". V Magazine. April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 "Keshi's Big Dreams Are Coming True". Notion. July 23, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  7. "Keshi". Lincoln Hall Schubas Tavern. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Guerra, Joey (October 29, 2020). "The journey of Houston's Keshi from TMC nurse to pop star". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Wetmore, Brendan; Silvan, Simone (September 3, 2019). "Keshi Is the Internet's Triple Threat". Paper Magazine. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Nguyen, Kelly (April 22, 2022). "On 'Gabriel,' Singer-Songwriter Keshi Melds Two Sides of Himself". W Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  11. Aben, Clarissa (October 12, 2018). "Interview: keshi". From the Intercom. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Bocci, Maria (November 3, 2020). "keshi details phases of love and loss on "always" EP". Earmilk. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Tan, Mei Zi (March 27, 2020). "Keshi's lo-fi EP 'bandaids' is laid-back soundtrack we all need during lockdown (VIDEO)". Malay Mail . Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  14. Simon, Scott (April 2, 2022). "On his debut album 'GABRIEL,' keshi showcases a newfound confidence". NPR. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  15. Galang, MC (March 24, 2022). "Keshi Drops Highly Anticipated Debut, 'GABRIEL': 'I Always Talk About It As An Opus Record'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Basbas, Franchesca Judine (October 26, 2022). "keshi announces 2023 'HELL & BACK' tour in Europe and North America". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  17. 1 2 Schube, Will (October 24, 2022). "Keshi Announces 'Hell & Back Tour' For 2023". uDiscover Music. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  18. Basbas, Franchesca Judine (October 26, 2022). "keshi announces 2023 'HELL & BACK' tour in Europe and North America". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Gwee, Karen (July 13, 2023). "Keshi announces first concert in Hong Kong for the Epilogue Tour". NME. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  20. Bennett, Colette (October 22, 2024). "Behind the Scenes With Keshi and 'Requiem'". Playboy. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Assis, Tássia (September 16, 2024). "Inside Keshi's 'Requiem': How His New Album Is Both An Outlet And A "Love Letter"". Grammy. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  22. Requiem – Keshi | Album | AllMusic , retrieved August 7, 2025
  23. 1 2 Denning, Reagan (July 23, 2024). "Keshi is Going Around the World For the 'Requiem World Tour'". Melodic Magazine. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  24. Kahn, Andy (September 16, 2024). "keshi Postpones 2024 North American Tour To Give Fans 'Best Show Possible'". JamBase. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  25. "Keshi". Island Records. January 14, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  26. Gwee, Karen (November 3, 2019). "Get to know Keshi, lo-fi hip-hop graduate and John Mayer devotee". Guitar.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  27. 1 2 "Keshi | Releases New Single, "Touch"". Flaunt. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  28. Yim, Jessica. "Catching Up To Yourself: In Conversation With Keshi". HBX. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  29. "Keshi Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  30. Peaks in Australia:
  31. "Keshi Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard . Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  32. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  33. "keshi". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  34. "keshi". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  35. Caraan, Sophie (May 31, 2025). "Keshi's 'Requiem' Explores His Artistic Evolution". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  36. 1 2 NZ Hot Singles Chart positions:
  37. 1 2 Peaks on the RIAS Streaming Chart:
  38. "Keshi Chart History: Taiwan Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  39. "Keshi Chart History: Vietnam Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  40. Glasby, Taylor (November 10, 2020). ""I Felt I'd Accomplished Something" Exploring keshi's World". Clash Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  41. Heffler, Jason (April 28, 2021). "Listen to keshi's Breezy, Madeon-Produced Track "beside you"". EDM.com. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  42. 1 2 3 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  43. 1 2 3 "Gold & Platinum Certifications – Keshi". Music Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  44. Guerra, Joey (October 25, 2021). "Keshi releases new single 'Somebody' and shows off Houston". Preview. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  45. Paul, Larisha (March 5, 2022). "Keshi Shifts Into Celebration Mode On 'Get It' From Forthcoming Debut Album 'Gabriel'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  46. "keshi previews new album 'Requiem' with first single, 'SAY' – listen". Bandwagon Asia. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  47. Go, Mayks (August 8, 2024). "Keshi Releases New Single "Dream" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  48. Go, Mayks (September 4, 2024). "Keshi Releases New Single "Texas" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  49. Go, Mayks (August 6, 2025). "keshi Releases New Single "WANTCHU" – Listen" . Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  50. Yeo, Gladys (November 10, 2021). "Day6's Jae says he would like to collaborate with 88rising's keshi and NIKI". NME. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  51. Kelly, Dylan (September 2, 2021). "'Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings' Soundtrack Highlights the Next Generation of Asian Musicians". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  52. Manson, Ava (September 13, 2022). "A Pop Star in Love: Singer MAX Releases New Single with a Romance V Can Only Dream Of". V Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  53. "keshi Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  54. Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart: