Meet Keegan James | Song artist and professional dance skater

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keegan James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keegan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The idea of taking a risk is something I started pondering very early on in my life. Every decision we make in our lives has a risk factor, but the depth of the consequences is something that can be subjective based on the values and priorities of the risk taker. I looked up the definition of taking a risk and it says “to do something that may result in a loss or failure”. In an artistic sense, I personally view taking risks as an expansion of our comfort and capabilities. The first time I sang an original song for a crowd I was in grade school and the song was BAD. Like so bare bones basic bad. It was a risk to do it. I risked being teased, criticized, and it could’ve been the reason I stopped writing in the first place. OR it could be great, people could love it, connect to it, praise you. In a creative sense, I believe the definition of “talking a risk“ is obsolete. With the probability of failure at its Y axis. Taking a risk suggests that you will be stopped forever it you do not succeed, however, failure is nothing more than a tool to help us find success on our future attempts. To conclude my very messy thought processes. Taking risks has played a very heavy role in my life and my career as a tool to learn and push myself. I encourage everyone to take risks, so long as they are rational! Taking risks and gambling with the possibility of failure is not the end of the world. We are supposed to fail and we will because it is the first step to success, but we’ll never get there unless we practice rational risk taking.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is my ability to make quiet people loud! I’m talking about the un-included, the outcasts. I grew up being the weirdo in school. I was the boy with the messenger bag who liked to sing Mariah Carey and draw in his sketchbook, However, when I grew into the man I am now and found myself in the rooms of individuals I would’ve considered “cool” and realized who the real losers were. My whole perspective on life changed and I became what my boyfriend called “a reverse take on society”. The Boy who was bullied and always told he “should’ve been a girl” grew up to be a strong and proud man who encourages you to BE and respect yourself. I’m no trailblazer though. I wouldn’t be able to live authentically myself without encouragement. That is where my friends come into the story. I’ve had many wonderful friends be there with me throughout the years. They are strong and passionate people. They don’t just talk. they make things happen! Starting with Hannah, who was there with me the summer I broke the glass box and began blossoming into my true self. She was always there with the perfect advice and to help organize my thoughts. There is AJ, who is my guide. He is the most independent person I know and is my true role model of what it means to stick up for yourself and get shit done. Of course, there is Caitlyn. who is the first contact on my phone. We talk nearly every day. We are always talking about each other and our worlds are simply fused. There is no me without her being a part of it! Oh and a special shout out to Caitlyn’s family and their dog Jingle Bell, who welcomed me into their home when I no longer had one to go. These people and I could go on with so many more, especially my family, are the reason I am Keegan James. Why I have survived, strengthened, and evolved.
I also pay tribute to Rollerskating for its role in refining my art. I started working as a professional dance skater in 2021 first in commercials and then with Nile Rodgers on Discoasis in 2022. Becoming a dance skater helped me flow seamlessly by strengthening the bond between my mind and body. Allowing me to put my heart on my sleeve. Now when I sing, I feel more connected to the art and feel myself thinking less about the technicality of what I’m doing and more about the story and the emotions I want to convey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t live here at the moment, But while I was in New York City I always had a checklist of places to take my friends when they would visit! At the beginning of their visit, I was usually working. I worked for a merchandise company that sold inside theaters on Broadway. So when they would come in, I would have them come with me to work so they could see the shows for free. I would also take them to hang with my friend Madellynne at Sally’s Bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and I would also take them to sit on my favorite rock in Central Park. Somewhere at the south end of the Ramble, there is a large rock in one of the larger bodies of water that you could get to only by walking across a small fallen tree. I would take them to sit on the rock in the sun and sightsee the building on the west side.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As I’ve aged into adulthood I’ve spent a lot of time reminiscing on the events that led me to who I am and where I am today. I have many people to thank. I’m so blessed to be surrounded in so much support everyday. My parents who are equally as supportive as they are tough on me. My sister who always picks up my phone call when I’m having an entire breakdown in the car. My best friend Caitlyn and her family who housed me when I had no where to go. Mentors and teachers who have passed on and continue to watch over me in spirit. Meditation deserves some recognition as well. Everyone should take time to meditate in their day and practice stillness. I would credit where I am now to many of my grade school teachers who saw through to my potential regardless of my performance academically. Especially Tina Rodriguez, who to this day still encourages me to follow my own unique path as an artist. Lastly because we all deserve a little credit ourselves. I want to recognize my personal resilience and passion that has kept me focused on my dreams regardless of how many times I have been told to stop following them.

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/keeganjamess

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keeganjamesss/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfkomr4Q_j9ULKzwcsbYtA