Kellee Maize ready to break archetypes in Pittsburgh
By: Molly Green / Staff Writer
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 in A&E
Kellee Maize
FATE Lounge — 1650 Smallman St., Strip District
Friday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., free drinks 9 to 10 p.m.
$5, text “Kellee” to SMASH (76274)
Kellee Maize is a workaholic.
She works, on average, 90 hours a week — on writing, singing, dancing, Web site production, her events and promotion company, yoga, astrology and more. She just about does it all, even amid recording and planning the release of her sophomore hip-hop album, Aligned Archetype.
“I work all the time, every day, all day. All this has taught me how to market myself as an artist,” Maize, a Pitt alumna and current Pittsburgh resident, said.
A self-proclaimed “serial intern,” Maize worked a total of five internships while at Pitt, in addition to a part-time job — a gig first hosting a hip-hop radio show on WPTS and then eventually working as the station’s news director. Not to mention the day-to-day toils of being an undergraduate student.
Yet with Superman-like multitasking skills, Maize not only juggled work, class and music, she drew inspiration from all of these experiences to become a more well-rounded musician.
“A lot of my classes — media criticisms, TV and society and some of my history classes — kind of opened my mind to what was going on in the world. I’ve always been a bleeding heart, but once I really saw how the world worked, I was not very happy with what I saw,” Maize said. “So my writing kind of turned from personal issues to those having to do with the world. And that was kind of the turning point where I sort of felt like I was a channel for something bigger than myself.”
With its irresistibly catchy beats and focus on world issues, Maize’s music resembles something like Lady Gaga remixing a public service announcement with a hip-hop twist — a delicious combination that’s difficult to put into words.
“I have a very hard time describing my sound,” Maize said. “I would say conscious hip-hop with a variety of dance. I use a lot of Baltimore club, so that’s influenced my music a lot. And I sing, also.”
A native of New Berlin, Pa., Maize has been singing, writing and dancing since childhood. She even created a rap group at age 9 with her best friend. She named it Thunder and Lightning.
“We were like Salt-n-Pepa at the time,” Maize said. “Just really into what they were doing. We made a cassette tape and took a picture of ourselves and gave it to our parents. Mostly we just argued about who was Thunder and who was Lightning.”
Despite her early love for hip-hop and music, Maize never thought she would become a professional musician.
“I was never really a confident person. It was something I really wanted to do ... but I was really critical of myself. As I was getting older and going through a lot of personal issues, I had a lot of angst, more than the average teenager. I was very into Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, so when I listened to them, I was kind of like, ‘I want to do that,’” Maize said.
But it was the exasperation of overwork that eventually pushed Maize into her hip-hop career.
“When I graduated ... I was super burnt out. So I was like, ‘I’m gonna record music, because I’m really sick of working crazy like this.’ I had to make money, so I started working at the Pittsburgh City Paper in promotion. I kind of worked my way up to being the events and promotion director. During the last year at the paper, I started my own business, Nakturnal, an events and promotion company.”
As a workaholic with experience in event promotion, it’s no surprise that Maize’s Friday night release party, which will take place at the Strip District’s FATE Lounge at 9 p.m., will be more than just the standard affair.
“It is definitely going to be a spectacle,” Maize said.
In addition to Maize’s performance — complete with five different sets and Lady Gaga-esque costume changes — there will be belly dancers, ballerinas, local emcees, photography, artwork, a jeweler, free drinks, a raffle to benefit Haiti and the premiere of Maize’s Web site, among other things.
the music industry as well as pittsburgh need more things like kellee!
the music industry as well as pittsburgh need more things like kellee!
I’ve seen Kellee perform a couple times in the past and each time she seems to get better and better. I’m looking forward to the event on Friday : )
Also saw this article today!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10028/1031402-388.stm
Kellee is destined for greatness and will take everyone around with her. If you haven’t seen / heard her perform, please do not miss the event tonight at Fate! She’s amazing and genuine inside and out – not to mention mad-talented!!!!
Kellee’s music is both wonderful and inspirational! Be sure to check it out!
love Kellee’s CD.. it’s so refreshing!
Love Kelle, her lyrics are inspiring and her beats are perfect to dance to. I would love to see her perform at Pitt!!
Kellee’s CD Is amazing!
love her stuff! has she done any performances at pitt?
Kellee is so amazing!!!! I love her music! I’m glad someone is finally bringing positive messages into a tough industry!
I love her music and the fact that she’s a Pitt grad! She’s a unique artist with a ridiculous amount of talent.
Get ready everyone! Because Kellee Maize is getting ready to take over the music world! Her awesome beats and inspiring message are putting her at the top of my list! Kellee Maize you are AMAZING!
Kellee is one of those people who makes me proud to say I go to Pitt. Pitt kids are still going to be talking about her years from now when she’s a big star!
Such an inspiration, I just wish I had the ability to work as hard as she has in her life. I am so happy to see her success, and she is truly an inspiration to Pittsburgh…and to women around the world. I can’t wait to see where she is in another 5 years!
Wish I could have gone to the event! Kelle’s CD is amazing and inspirational. I can listen from beginning to end over and over again! Kellee is such an inspiration to men and women alike!
Her music is incredible, as well as her videos!