When someone does not change who they are or what they believe due to societal pressures. Especially true with regards to someone who has attained some financial success but does not change their behavior. Alternatively, may relate to someone who maintains connections to their ethnic background in a multicultural environment.
Example 1: I criticized Netanyahu in front of my Jewish boss. I was keepin' it real.

Example 2: At work, I might wear a suit and tie, but if I come in on weekends, I keep it real with baggy jeans and a hoodie.

Example 3: Who the fuck pays $50 for a cab from the airport? I keep it real and just take the bus.

Example 4: Some gora was complaining about the smell of my dal in the microwave. But I keep it real and eat the same shit I eat at home.
by nlsanand June 14, 2012
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a closing statement used to say goodbye and often by Christians as a reminder to keep their faith real - as in not hypocritical.
(after a bible study has ended) Later bro, keep it real!
by ling-James December 12, 2009
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To constantly cover the lies with masks of truth.
Don't tell anyone about me and you. If anyone asks, keep it real.
by shinobi_nite December 30, 2010
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Not being fake or influenced. Being true to yourself and your values, but more importantly, being true to innate values that all people acknowledge as respectable. Not frontin, or inhibiting yourself or pretending to be something your not; but also not following dominant values that should not be acceptable.

Honesty, doing the right thing, genuineness, fairness and reasonability are generally aspects of keeping it real. Gandhi kept it real because even though his acts were controversial or illegal, they were never harmful and society now knows he was doing the right thing.

Also used in a more jocular way to explain an individual's behavior that they may have thought was the right thing to do out of stubbornness or disregard for others, but it wasn't really keeping it real because the social concensus is that it is not.
- Matt respects everybody, he is genuinely nice to friends and strangers and does not seek out conflict with people or put them down. He is keeping it real.

- Joe stands up against bullies at his school and defends kids who are getting made fun of, even though he is quite popular and doesn't hang out with those kids. He is keeping it real.

- Ashley skipped Friday night partying with her friends to stay at home and watch movies with her sister who just broke up with a boyfriend. Ashley is keeping it real.

- Josh just isn't a very smart person, but he puts effort into doing the best he can. He is keeping it real.

Alternative example:

Latoya: Tanisha why did you call me out for buying my shoes at Walmart in front of everybody.
Tanisha: I'm just keeping it real, why does it matter where you buy your shoes?
Latoya: Girl you are not keeping it real, I know it doesn't matter where I buy my shoes but people still might make fun of me for it. It's really just none of their business.
by Laqueshus June 5, 2009
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to not inhibit yourself or pretend to be something you are not.
do you know today's dow jone industrial average?
I don't know that shit, keep it real!
by paul allen March 3, 2003
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Staying true to yourself, your faith, your life and constantly seeking the truth.

You are keeping it real as long as you do not harm yourself or anyone around you physically mentally or spiritually.

You try to benefit the environment and society that surrounds you and eventually serving humanity for the greater good.

By keeping it real you are authentic and do not follow the geopolitical or corporate economic norm, but you strive to develop a norm that is centered on peace, truth, and unity.
by Da Realest November 6, 2006
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