Kreesha Turner is a Canadian-Jamaican singer and songwriter known for her unique blend of soul, R&B, dancehall, and jazz. Her music captivates audiences worldwide with its distinctive vocals, emotional delivery, and modern sound. Turner achieved success in the music industry through her raw talent, sheer persistence, and a genuine love for her craft. In this article on edmonton-trend, we explore the artist’s biography, career journey, and greatest hits.
Childhood in Canada and Jamaican Cultural Roots
The future star was born on June 10, 1985, in Edmonton. As the eldest of three children, she grew up in a diverse household. Her father is a Canadian of Scottish descent, while her Jamaican mother has African and Chinese heritage. As a child, Kreesha loved dancing in her bedroom to jazz music, with a particular fondness for Oscar Peterson’s tracks.
When Turner turned 15, her mother sent her to Jamaica to connect with her cultural roots. There, Kreesha discovered that singing was a vital part of everyday life. Friends soon convinced her to audition for a youth church choir. Initially, she doubted she would make the cut. However, after flawlessly belting out the Canadian national anthem at her audition, she was immediately accepted. Turner went on to sing gospel music, which is when she truly realized her passion for singing. Before moving to Jamaica for high school, she attended the Victoria School of the Arts in Edmonton. From 2000 to 2002, she went to Wolmer’s Girls’ School in Kingston. Upon returning to Canada, she completed her studies at Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton, graduating in 2003.
Musical Career: The Road to Success, Hits, and Albums
In 2003, Kreesha dove headfirst into the underground urban hip-hop scene. She wrote, recorded, and performed her own material. She hustled hard to make a name for herself and kickstart her musical career. Her relentless work ethic soon caught the attention of established artists. Turner started gigging at any venue she could find, while also competing in—and winning—several talent contests.
In 2005, Turner won a talent search in Edmonton hosted by local radio station The Bounce (91.7 FM). Following her victory, she headed to Vancouver to record four tracks, collaborating with the team at Hipjoint Productions. The defining song of her early career was “Bounce With Me,” which caught the ear of music manager Chris Smith. This pivotal moment launched Turner’s journey into mainstream music.
After a successful audition with Virgin Records, Kreesha signed a deal with the Capitol Music Group, which operates Virgin Records. At the same time, she secured a contract with EMI Music Canada. This strategic move helped her build a larger fanbase in the Canadian market.
Before the artist’s major breakthrough, “Bounce With Me” had already been getting airplay on Vancouver radio stations in 2006. However, it wasn’t officially released as a single until 2007. Her very first music video for the track dropped on December 4, 2007.
Turner’s follow-up track, “Don’t Call Me Baby,” hit the radio waves in April 2008. By August of that same year, her debut studio album, Passion, was made available for an exclusive advance preview.
In 2009, Turner took home the award for “Best New Group or Solo Artist” at the Canadian Radio Music Awards. That same year, Kreesha earned two Juno Award nominations: “New Artist of the Year” and “Pop Album of the Year.”
In the spring of 2009, the artist reunited with Hipjoint Productions. She provided guest vocals for Delerium’s track “Dust in Gravity.” This collaboration was featured on a new remix compilation released in 2010.
On July 5, 2011, Turner released a brand-new single, “Rock Paper Scissors.” By September, another new track titled “I Could Stay” was spinning on Canadian radio. Later that year, in November 2011, Kreesha dropped her highly anticipated second album, Tropic Electric.
In February 2013, Kreesha announced a new project with producer Young Yonny. The singer later revealed that this would be the title of her upcoming EP. She explained that the project would be a major departure from her previous sound, heavily incorporating hip-hop and dancehall elements. On April 12, 2013, Kreesha released a fresh track titled “Mo’ Fire (Remix).” During this time, she also shared in an interview that her new album was finished. She described the record as aggressive, edgy, and full of fire. The lead single from this album was “MJ.”
Following the release of “MJ,” Nick Cannon stepped in as Turner’s new manager. The star subsequently signed a deal with Republic Records, signaling a permanent shift in her musical style toward dancehall and reggae.
Her Musical Impact and Current Pursuits
Kreesha Turner boasts an incredibly versatile vocal range. In one interview, she admitted that when she first started studying music, she threw herself into everything she could. This meant taking on vocal training, guitar, piano, and even acting. For a time, she honed her skills by singing in both a gospel choir and a jazz choir.
Turner’s final musical release was in 2017. After that, she decided to pivot into the world of finance. She began investing in the stock market and deeply immersed herself in financial literacy. Beyond finance, Turner increasingly stepped into the film and television industry, working as a producer—a role she continues to hold today.
Kreesha Turner’s contribution to music is invaluable. Her unique fusion of different genres continues to inspire a new wave of young artists eager to blend diverse cultural and musical traditions. Her ongoing work in television and her dedication to supporting youth initiatives have also left a lasting mark on the next generation of creatives.
