Press Release

Pop singer, songwriter & producer Kentö pays tribute to his dear friend, the late Chi Chi DeVayne of RuPaul’s Drag Race with the release of his song “Pegasus”

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Pegasus

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January 23, 2022 [New York, NY]

　NY-based multilingual singer, songwriter and producer, Kentö, is paying tribute to his dear friend, the late Zavion Michael Davenport (known to many as Chi Chi DeVayne from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 & All Stars 3 with the release of “Pegasus,” out today. Alongside the single release is a stunning music video, paying homage to the late performer and 80s inspired fantasy films, directed by Kentö himself. (This isn’t the first time he’s sat in the director's chair [Billboard][iHeartRadio].) Kentö has been creating his own music for the past 8 years, developing songs that tell stories about his own life experiences, and the inspiration for this song came while talking with his co-producer and long-time writing partner Seeva about memories of DeVayne; “I wanted to create something that Zay (Chi Chi DeVayne) would think was epic and bonkers if he were still with us today using metaphors for life and death in an unconventional way. Inspired by 80s TV & film theme songs I imagined myself taking flight with him through the air as if he were Falkor from The Neverending Story or a stoic figure like a Pegasus. That’s when it all came.”

“Pegasus” is the second single (Following “Silhouette”) off of Kentö’s upcoming album release, Strangers, slated for release in July of this year. Inspired by the likes of Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Kate Bush, and Peter Gabriel; Kentö states “I am making music that reminds me of why I love music, and I couldn’t be more excited about life right now!”

Born in Northern Maine to mixed parents, Kentö’s multi-cultural and multi-lingual upbringing has heavily shaped who he is as an artist. From his first public performance crooning in French at the age of 6, to recording his first demo tracks on a series of old tape recorder decks — Kentö has always found innovative ways to merge sounds from early influences. He spent most of his life between the US and Japan and upon working on a pop/punk project in Tokyo, Kentö found himself aspiring towards a timeless sound that felt more authentic to him. This musical journey led him to where he is today.

Upon the release of his first single, “Silhouette,”, Kentö quickly gained the attention of several publications, radio stations, playlists and networks such as MTV, Them, iHeartRadio, American Songwriter, KCRW, BMI, Shazam’s Best New Music, and Apple Music 1 Radio. “Make it good, make it last so they never forget your silhouette,” Kentö croons over the hypnotic synths. His smooth vocals creep in telling you to give it to them good — whether you’re leaving in those quiet whispers of the morning or as the sun turns to dusk, make it so your silhouette and memory can’t be forgotten,” writes Daniel Head of MTV News, “his story and infectious talent are definitely enough to keep a close eye on.” Randy Slovacek of Instinct Magazine says, “Kentö’s warm, languid vocals are a perfect match for the shimmering synth-pop production.” Arjan Timmermans of Arjan Writes, and head Of Apple Music’s Editorial, who referred to him as a “potent pop confection.”

“Pegasus” is a song about friendship, love, and curiosity. “I miss Zay every day,” says Kentö, “he was the best person I know and I want to celebrate all of our years together.”