Don Black talks to the legendary Keni Burke about the 2025 Stepping with the Stars event on May 31st at Potawatomi Hotel Casino. Keni Burke is a renowned Chicago-born R&B, soul, funk, and jazz artist, known for his contributions to the Five Stairsteps and his extensive work as a session musician. He began his career with the Five Stairsteps, a family group that gained recognition with their 1970 hit “O-o-h Child.” Burke also penned their early track “You Waited Too Long” in 1966. After the group disbanded, he launched a solo career and became a prominent session musician, collaborating with artists like Sly & the Family Stone, Natalie Cole, and Billy Preston.
In 1980, Burke released his solo album “Keni,” followed by his signature hit “Risin’ to the Top” in 1982, which became a popular choice for hip-hop sampling. He has also worked with notable artists such as Peabo Bryson, The O’Jays, The Jones Girls, and Keith Sweat. In 1998, he released the album “Nothin’ but Love,” featuring the hit “Indigenous Love.”
