Vocalists and off-Broadway actress Whitney Keaton knew singer and songwriter RAII was the one for her. It was confirmed when RAII heard a voice in church say, “That’s your wife.” And in August of 2010, they became husband and wife. And now, once you see them on stage together, it’s evident that they were destined to be together. Their love for music and each other has allowed them to sing with Alicia Keys, Chrisette Michele, and Emeli Sandé, just to name a few.
We had a chance to chat with RAII (which stands for Rhythm. Alternative. Instrumental. Inspirational.) and Whitney, as they shared the greatest lesson marriage has taught them, and how they became a “package deal” thanks to singer Estelle.
BMWK: How did you two meet?
RAII: We met in Whitney’s hometown of Champaign, Ill.. where I attended the University of Illinois in 2002. We became good friends over our similar tastes in music and developed a genuine friendship. Our respect and admiration of each other as vocalists grew as our friendship grew.
Whitney: Yes, [it was] during the first album release event for the Gospel group I was in. RAII was joining. He was the new guy. During our down time during rehearsals and while traveling to and from performances, we would share headphones and listen to some of our favorite artists.
BMWK: How did you realize you met the one?
Whitney: Well, I grew to love him before he recognized it, but I was patient and valued the process of our friendship. I can’t say I knew for certain until he expressed to me that I was his soul mate, which showed me that his feelings were more than mutual and his intentions were clear he wanted to move towards forever.
RAII: Before we started dating, we were at a church service, and there was a high moment of worship. I remember looking over at Whitney (who was in her own moment of worship). In the midst of that, I heard a voice say, “That is your wife.” I dismissed it at first because we were “just friends.”
BMWK: RAII, how did you propose to Whitney?
RAII: We headlined Champaign/Urbana Day in Illinois in 2009. We performed as two separate artists, each scheduled to perform one hour sets to close out the performances. Whitney performed her set, and then I took the stage, and she joined my two background singers to support me.
The day was running long, so by the time I got up to perform, the sponsors decided to cut my short set while I was performing. They cut my sound during one of my last songs, and I finished singing acapella without a mic or music. Once I finished the song, I called Whitney over to hold my hand as we thanked everyone for coming out and for their love and support.
As I was completing my thank-yous, I spoke about how important it is to cherish people who you love and to express that love openly, and I got down on my knee and proposed to Whitney in her hometown in front of both of our families and friends and community.
Whitney: Yeah, I was oblivious. I was just smiling, nodding my head, agreeing with him, thanking everyone and I felt my arm go down. I looked to my right to see why, and he’s no longer standing but on his knee, face wet, holding a box with a ring, asking me to marry him. Soon after being shocked, my lips started shaking, and I had the ugly face from crying (laughs). I said “yes;” he put the ring on, then stood up and hugged me.
See them sing at their reception below
BMWK: When did you both realize you could sing?
Whitney: My mom says I’ve been singing since I could talk. Music was and has played a major role in my life. Singing was just something I’ve always done with my family, in the church choir, in chorus during junior high and high school. It’s something that I’ve been encouraged to do since I could speak.
RAII: My mom says I’ve been singing since I could talk as well. I do remember singing as a child in church and that is where I began to realize the true impact of music. I sang through junior high, high school and college.
BMWK: At what moment did you two decide to make your love for each other and singing a business?
RAII: We started working together internationally as supporting vocalists for Estelle in 2010. In 2011 while performing with her in Kuwait, she said in casual conversation, “You all are a package deal.” I never thought of it like that, but in 2012, we began performing officially as a duo for the first time, although we had been singing together in various capacities since 2002.
Whitney: We never looked at ourselves as a package deal even though we loved singing/working together. In 2012 we were unemployed for seven months. We maximized that time and started two LLCs, which are His & Her Entertainment (Quality live entertainment) and Milk & Honey Productions (Quality Production (writing, producing, recording) as well as wrote our debut single “No Worries Step Clap.”
Right after that unexpected yet empowering and rewarding period of our lives, we were asked to go on the “Set The World On Fire” worldwide tour for the first time TOGETHER with Alicia Keys.
BMWK: What’s the best part about working with each other? What’s the worse?
Whitney: The best part about working together is feeling like we have front-row seats to this amazing journey we’re watching, but we’re IN it, experiencing it all TOGETHER. The most challenging part about working together is pushing ourselves to forgive faster and truly communicate as team players with love, respect and grace. Not using the fact that we’re married to talk to each other any kind of way and remembering that what our supporters feel from us should be PURE love that’s an extension of the work we put into our relationship behind the scenes.
RAII: She was my best friend before she was my girlfriend, fiancé or wife, and I’m reminded of how special it is to share the stage with someone who I truly love, honor, adore and who loves me. We support each other off stage in so many ways, so when we perform, it truly is an extension of what we cultivate in private. The most challenging part is that I have such a high regard for her personally and professionally, and although we are each other’s biggest supporters, we are each other’s toughest critics. I have an idea of Whitney’s potential, and I want her to be as great as I know she is on and off stage. That awareness can bring pressure and intimidation if I’m not mindful to encourage and affirm her as I push and challenge her.
BMWK: Who are some of the artists you’ve worked with?
RAII: To name a few that we’ve worked with together are Estelle, Alicia Keys Chrisette Michele, Lion Babe, Tank, Wiz Khalifa, Angie Stone, Kem, Emeli Sande,and Pharrell.
Whitney: John Legend, Ledisi, Meghan Trainor, 50 Cent, Rita Ora and VV Brown.
BMWK: Where do you see yourselves in five years?
RAII: In five years, I see myself still happily married, even more settled in who I am as a man, son, husband, businessman and artist. I see myself with at least one child and fulfilled with the choices I’ve made for my family and career.
Whitney: Yes! I feel the same way. As well as still growing, learning, embracing and loving my more mature self. Loving the fact that I’ll get to experience motherhood as well as watching my husband build a strong and healthy relationship with our child(ren) while we continue creating music, traveling and performing.
BMWK: What’s the greatest lesson marriage has taught you?
Whitney: The greatest lesson marriage has taught me is be free enough to not only trust the process but know that you get out what you put in ‘til death do you part.’
RAII: Marriage has taught me that it takes so much more to be a husband than just finding a suitable wife. It’s more than me providing a roof over my wife’s head, it’s about me providing a safe space for her heart, her thoughts, her emotions and her dreams. I’ve learned a great deal about humility, honor and selflessness. I know that I am a better man because of my marriage, and I’ve learned to forgive quickly and to make a conscious effort to enjoy each moment.
BMWK: Any upcoming events or projects you want to share?
RAII: We recently released a video of our arrangement of the classic love song “You’re All I Need To Get By” by Ashford and Simpson. We also intend to release our “How to Step Clap” tutorial that will teach our supporters how to do the dance that goes to our song “No Worries (Step Clap).”
Whitney: We are also very excited for our joint album that we have been working on, and we’re excited to share more of our original music with the world.
Where can we find you online?
RAII: Please visit our website at RAIIWK.com. You can sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive exclusive content as well as view our blog, listen to music and donate in support of our businesses.
Whitney: Yes. Our website has everything. However, you can follow our group page @RAIIWK on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, Snapchat, Google +, as well as our joint YouTube channel (Raii and Whitney Keaton).