MíraLA Podcast #27: KÉO — Artist, Producer & Multi-Hyphenate Voice Shaping Modern R&B

This week, Arianna Lemus sits down with KÉO — an R&B/Pop artist, producer, songwriter, audio engineer, and Recording Academy member redefining what modern soul sounds like. Her music has been featured across major shows including Queer Eye, All American, Project Runway, and That Girl Lay Lay, and she helped shape Barbie’s global rebrand with powerful, uplifting anthems heard around the world.

In this conversation, KÉO shares the journey behind her multifaceted artistry — from producing her own tracks to collaborating with Emotional Oranges, Nova Wav, Kiah Victoria, Alexander Lewis, and Sara Kawai. Drawing from classic R&B roots while pushing the genre forward, her sound blends emotional depth with melodic catchiness. As NPR’s Tiny Desk notes, her lyrics are “crafted with crowd-pleasing, relatable consideration and a hum-along chorus sticky enough to show up on Billboard charts.”

KÉO opens up about building her career in Los Angeles, finding creative freedom in self-production, and what it means to tell the truth through music. This episode dives into identity, discipline, collaboration, and the power of taking full ownership of your voice and vision.

📍 Recorded at Bear Punch Studios in North Hollywood, CA

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by:

• Bear Punch Studios — Your go-to creative studio for premium podcast audio and video production.

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• Nine Glow — Skincare built for sweat, strength, and the glow you earn.

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Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Brenda Hernández

Audio and Video Production: Bear Bunch Studios

Editor: Brenna Cherry