Keisha Epps, born Keisha Spivey on May 27, 1971, in the United States, is an American R&B singer, actress, and one of the founding members of Total, one of the defining girl groups of the Bad Boy Records era. Formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, Total signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993 alongside The Notorious B.I.G. and Craig Mack, and became one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s signature acts. Their platinum-certified debut album Total (1996) and gold-certified sophomore album Kima, Keisha and Pam (1998) produced hits including “Can’t You See” (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.), “Kissin’ You,” and “Trippin'” (featuring Missy Elliott), which reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Keisha married actor Omar Epps in 2006 and has since built a secondary career in acting. Her net worth is estimated at around $4 million. She has around 456,000 followers on Instagram at @lovekeishaepps.
TL;DR
- Keisha Spivey Epps, American R&B singer born May 27, 1971; founding member of Total alongside Kima Raynor and Pamela Long.
- One of the first acts signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993; featured on The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut single “Juicy.”
- Total discography: debut album Total (1996, RIAA platinum); sophomore album Kima, Keisha and Pam (1998, RIAA gold); “Trippin'” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Married actor Omar Epps (House M.D., Juice, Love and Basketball) in 2006; mother of K’mari Mae and son Amir; stepmother to Aiyanna Yasmine.
- Net worth estimated at around $4 million; Instagram @lovekeishaepps with approximately 456,000 followers.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keisha Spivey Epps (born Keisha Spivey) |
| Known As | Keisha Epps; Keisha from Total |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1971 |
| Age | 55 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New Jersey, USA (sources cite both New Jersey and unspecified USA) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | Not publicly documented |
| Profession | R&B singer, actress |
| Active Since | 1993 |
| Platforms / Outlets | Instagram @lovekeishaepps (approximately 456,000 followers) |
| Total Following | Approximately 456,000 on Instagram |
| Height | Not publicly documented |
| Weight | Not publicly documented |
| Relationship Status | Married to Omar Epps (since 2006) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $4 million (estimated) |
Who is Keisha Epps?
Keisha Epps is an American R&B singer and actress, born Keisha Spivey on May 27, 1971, who co-founded Total, one of the signature acts of Bad Boy Records’ mid-1990s golden era, and later married actor Omar Epps.
Total was formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, by Kima Raynor, Keisha Spivey, and Pamela Long. The group secured an audition with Sean “Diddy” Combs in the early 1990s after a chance encounter with the mother of his godson, who later became their manager. They were among the first acts signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993, alongside The Notorious B.I.G. and Craig Mack. Their first public appearance was providing the hook on Biggie’s debut single “Juicy” in 1994, one of the most celebrated hip-hop tracks ever recorded. Over the following eight years, Total became one of the defining voices of 1990s R&B.
Her husband Omar Epps, born July 20, 1973, in Brooklyn, is one of the most recognised actors of his generation, known for the medical drama House M.D. (2004 to 2012), where he played Dr. Eric Foreman across eight seasons, and earlier for the films Juice (1992), Higher Learning (1995), The Wood (1999), and Love and Basketball (2000). He has won three NAACP Image Awards and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Like Yasmin Abdallah, who built her own career identity alongside and beyond her marriage to a well-known British actor, Keisha maintained a professional identity rooted in her own musical work rather than simply in her relationship with Omar.
Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family
Keisha Spivey was born on May 27, 1971, in or near New Jersey, USA, in a predominantly African-American community, and has a sister named Aisha; all other details about her childhood and family background are not publicly documented.
Multiple sources confirm her New Jersey origins and the existence of a sister named Aisha, but no further family background, parental occupations, or early life details have been made public. The Total group itself was formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, confirming Keisha’s connection to that area of the state. Her early musical development and the circumstances that brought her together with Kima Raynor and Pamela Long have not been documented in detail in any primary source.
Education
Keisha Epps’s educational background has not been publicly documented in any confirmed source; no school, college, or training programme has been verified.
Her entry into professional music came through the group formation and Bad Boy Records signing in 1993, suggesting she was active in music from at least her early twenties. No academic credentials or formal music training have been attributed to her in any credible source.
Career Journey
Forming Total and Breaking into Bad Boy Records (1993 to 1994)
Total, consisting of Kima Raynor, Keisha Spivey, and Pamela Long, was formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, and became one of the first acts signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993, making their public debut on The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut single “Juicy” in 1994.
Apple Music’s profile of Total confirms the origin story: they scored an audition with Diddy through a chance encounter with the mother of his godson, who later became their manager. Wikipedia’s article on Total confirms their 1993 signing, placing them alongside The Notorious B.I.G. and Craig Mack as the foundational acts of what would become one of the most commercially powerful record labels in 1990s American music. “Juicy,” released in 1994 as Biggie’s debut single from Ready to Die, featured Total singing the hook and is widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. The group also contributed vocals to “One More Chance” from the same album.
Breakthrough: “Can’t You See” and Debut Album Total (1995 to 1996)
Total’s debut single “Can’t You See” (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.), released in September 1995 from the New Jersey Drive soundtrack, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was directed by Hype Williams; their debut album Total followed in 1996, reaching number 23 on the Billboard 200 and earning RIAA platinum certification.
The debut album launched additional hits: “Kissin’ You” peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and its remix featured Sean “Puffy” Combs. “No One Else” and its remix, which featured Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, and Da Brat, gave the album further commercial and critical traction. The album’s total of four R&B top-ten singles across its campaign established Total as one of the most prominent voices in Bad Boy’s roster alongside Biggie himself. The debut album was certified platinum by the RIAA, confirming sales of over one million copies in the United States.
Sophomore Album and Peak: Kima, Keisha and Pam (1997 to 1998)
Total’s sophomore album Kima, Keisha and Pam, released October 27, 1998, on Bad Boy Records and Arista Records, was executive produced by Sean Combs with additional production by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, and was certified gold by the RIAA on March 16, 1999.
The lead single “Trippin'” (featuring Diddy and Missy Elliott), produced by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it Total’s biggest chart hit. The album incorporated R&B, hip-hop, and funk/soul elements across 18 tracks. Between albums, Total contributed vocals to several major hits: LL Cool J’s “Loungin'” (Who Do Ya Luv), Foxy Brown’s “I Can’t,” and Mase’s “What You Want,” featuring Keisha specifically. The group also contributed to the Soul Food soundtrack with “What About Us?” featuring Missy Elliott, which reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1997. Grokipedia’s research confirms the album debuted at number 56 on the Billboard 200, peaked at number 39, and spent 15 weeks on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart where it reached number 9.
Hiatus, Reunion, and Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour (2001 to 2016)
Total stopped performing together in 2001; Kima Raynor Dyson and Pamela Long reunited as a duo in 2014, while Keisha Spivey rejoined the group for the nationwide Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016.
The 2014 reunion appearance at the Soul Train Music Awards on November 30, 2014, featured Total performing “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” alongside Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and the late Left Eye via video tribute. The Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016 marked Keisha’s full return to the group, joining Kima and Pamela for arena dates across the United States celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bad Boy label’s peak era. The group also toured with R. Kelly on the Funk Fest tour in May 2015. Total released new music in 2025, with the single “Thinking About You” appearing on Spotify that year and a “Silk RnB Edit” following in 2026.
Acting Career
Keisha Epps has pursued acting alongside her music career, appearing in the documentary Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story (2017), the soundtrack for the film Traffik (2018), and the crime drama The Devil You Know (2022), in which she co-starred with her husband Omar Epps.
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story (2017) is a documentary about the Bad Boy Records label, produced by Amazon Studios and directed by Daniel Kaufman, which chronicles the 20th anniversary of the label and features interviews and performances from its key artists. The Devil You Know (2022) represents her most significant acting role, appearing in the same film as Omar. Her acting work remains supplementary to her music identity rather than a primary career focus.
Social Media Presence
Keisha Epps is active on Instagram at @lovekeishaepps with approximately 456,000 followers, where she shares content about her family, professional projects, and personal life.
| Platform | Followers / Subscribers | Content Type |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram (@lovekeishaepps) | Approximately 456,000 | Family, music career updates, personal lifestyle |
Net Worth and Income Streams
Keisha Epps’s net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million as of 2026, built through Total’s platinum and gold-certified album sales, touring, features on Bad Boy label recordings, and her acting work.
The $4 million estimate appears across mabumbe.com and besttoppers.com. Omar Epps’s net worth is estimated at approximately $8 to $15 million across various sources, built from his long acting career in both film and television. The combined Epps household financial position reflects over three decades of work across music and entertainment from both partners.
| Income Stream | Estimated Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total music career (1993 to 2001; 2014 to present) | Primary historical income | Two albums (1 platinum, 1 gold); touring including Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour 2016 |
| Feature collaborations and label recordings | Supplementary income | Mase “What You Want,” LL Cool J “Loungin’,” Foxy Brown “I Can’t,” others |
| Acting (2017 to present) | Secondary income stream | Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (2017), Traffik soundtrack (2018), The Devil You Know (2022) |
Physical Appearance
Height and Body Stats
No confirmed height or physical measurements for Keisha Epps have been published in any verified primary source.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | Not publicly documented |
| Weight | Not publicly documented |
| Eye Colour | Dark brown |
| Hair Colour | Black (varies with styling) |
Personal Life
Relationships
Keisha Spivey and Omar Epps married in 2006 after several years together; they have been together for approximately two decades and have two children of their own, with their family also including Omar’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Omar Epps was previously in a relationship with Yusra Salama, with whom he has a daughter, Aiyanna Yasmine Epps. Keisha and Omar welcomed daughter K’mari Mae Epps in 2004, two years before their 2006 marriage, and son Amir Epps in 2007. Their marriage, now spanning 20 years, has been consistently described across entertainment media as one of the more stable long-term partnerships in Hollywood. Omar authored an autobiography titled From Fatherless to Fatherhood in 2018, published by Lulu Publishing, which addressed his journey as a father and the personal development that shaped his approach to family life. Keisha is mentioned throughout as central to that family structure.
Family
Keisha Epps has two biological children with Omar Epps: daughter K’mari Mae Epps (born 2004) and son Amir Epps (born 2007); she is also stepmother to Aiyanna Yasmine Epps from Omar’s previous relationship.
The family lives in California, per Wikipedia’s Total article: “Keisha Spivey married actor Omar Epps in 2006 and is living in California.” Omar has close longstanding friendships with Marlon Wayans, who was his high school classmate at LaGuardia High in New York, and is a cousin of rapper 2 Chainz, a family connection he has confirmed in interviews. Like Jamal Hairston, who also co-parented with a famous partner across different life stages, Keisha and Omar have navigated blended family dynamics across their two decades together.
Achievements and Milestones
- Co-founded Total in Plainfield, New Jersey, and secured a signing to Bad Boy Records in 1993 as one of its earliest acts alongside The Notorious B.I.G.
- Featured on The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut single “Juicy” in 1994, one of the most critically celebrated hip-hop recordings of all time, with over 93 million Spotify streams on “Can’t You See” alone as of 2026.
- Total’s debut album Total (1996) was certified platinum by the RIAA and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200.
- “Trippin'” (featuring Missy Elliott), from the sophomore album Kima, Keisha and Pam (1998), reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; the album was certified gold by the RIAA.
- Rejoined Total for the nationwide Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016, celebrating the label’s legacy 20 years after their peak commercial period.
- Appeared alongside husband Omar Epps in the 2022 film The Devil You Know, marking one of the rare instances of a married couple co-starring in a major release.
Interesting Facts About Keisha Epps
- “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G., featuring Total’s hook, has been referenced as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time and has accumulated over 93 million streams on Spotify on the Total-specific track “Can’t You See” alone.
- Total was among the first acts signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993, giving Keisha a front-row position during the founding of one of the most culturally impactful record labels in 1990s American music history.
- The 2014 Soul Train Music Awards performance reuniting Total with Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and the late Left Eye (via video tribute) was one of the most discussed moments of that ceremony, reviving interest in the “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” lineup that had last performed together in 1997.
- Omar Epps is a cousin of rapper 2 Chainz, a family connection he confirmed in a 2018 interview, linking Keisha’s household to two distinct generations of Atlanta-connected hip-hop lineage.
- Total released new music in 2025 with the single “Thinking About You,” confirming the group’s ongoing relevance more than three decades after their original formation in New Jersey.
- Keisha gave birth to daughter K’mari Mae in 2004, two years before her 2006 marriage to Omar, making her one of the few 1990s R&B artists to build a family life and sustained entertainment career simultaneously across a 30-year span.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Keisha Epps?
Keisha Epps, born Keisha Spivey on May 27, 1971, is an American R&B singer and actress best known as a founding member of Total, the Bad Boy Records girl group, and as the wife of actor Omar Epps.
What are Total’s biggest songs?
Total’s biggest hits include ‘Can’t You See’ featuring The Notorious B.I.G. (No. 13 Billboard Hot 100), ‘Kissin’ You’ (No. 12 Billboard Hot 100), ‘What About Us?’ featuring Missy Elliott (No. 16), and ‘Trippin” featuring Missy Elliott (No. 7), their highest-charting single.
Who is Keisha Epps married to?
Keisha Epps married actor Omar Epps in 2006. They have two children together: daughter K’mari Mae, born 2004, and son Amir, born 2007. Keisha is also stepmother to Aiyanna Yasmine, Omar’s daughter from a previous relationship.
What is Keisha Epps’s net worth?
Keisha Epps’s net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million as of 2026, earned through Total’s music career including their platinum-certified debut album and gold-certified sophomore album, touring, and acting work.
What happened to Total after the 1990s?
Total stopped performing together in 2001. Kima Raynor Dyson and Pamela Long reunited as a duo in 2014. Keisha rejoined in 2016 for the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour. The group released new music including ‘Thinking About You’ in 2025.
