Meet My_Kayla | Rapper/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with My_Kayla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi My_Kayla, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As cliché as it sounds, I did not choose a creative career, instead a creative career chose me. Since a young child I’ve always had an interest in the creative arts. My curiosity led me to participate in various arts and media related activities growing up. Though I did not realize it then, I have been preparing myself for this my entire life. I recall writing my first rap at 7 years old after being fascinated with music videos I seen on The Box. I also participated in multiple creative writing competitions, and I joined the gospel choir where I learned about melodies and how to harmonize. After years of studying hip-hop and falling in-love with the genre, it was destined that doors and opportunities began to open allowing me to create for myself and other artists.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to tell stories in my art, even going as far as dubbing myself the ‘Hip-Hop Storyteller.’ The thing that sets my work apart from others is my constant evolution. Along with music, I’ve studied film, photography, acting and writing. I am a student who has a deep appreciation for art, and I am always exploring/experimenting ways to improve my sound. I did not see a huge improvement in the music I was making until I began recording on a more consistent basis. I began to get comfortable with the studio and developed a writing routine which later came in handy when I signed a one album publishing deal. The process wasn’t easy at all. Many times, I became frustrated at the growth of my fanbase, but I knew if I stayed the course, it would soon grow, which it ultimately did.

I’ve learned so much about marketing, promotions and music business. The biggest lesson I learned along the way was staying prepared for any opportunity and having an open mind. Keeping an open mind is the sole reason I saw major success in the publishing industry. I didn’t mind switching up my style and exploring new avenues. My brand encompasses positivity and style. I’m laid back, approachable and relatable which my fans love!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Cleveland, OH is a beautiful city with so much to offer. Depending on the season I’d definitely take my friend to a sporting event because Cleveland has the best fans on earth, especially football! My best friend would have to get some of our amazing food staples like our polish boy (which I enjoyed from Open Pitt) and corned beef from Slyman’s or Superior Restaurant. We have plenty of other amazing food options and restaurants with beautiful views. If we’re up for a fancy dinner experience we’ll catch Pier W in Lakewood, OH or 17 River Grille in Chagrin Falls. If we’re supporting a black owned restaurant there are plenty of options like Grill 55, KafeLA, Zanzibar and House of Creole. After we’ve stuffed our faces we can walk off the calories while visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame where we’ll get a glimpse of legendary items and history. In the Flats we can catch a comedy show at the Improv or hear live music at Music Box Supper Club. There’s something to do everyday in Cleveland from festivals, concerts or even a good ol’ kickback with friends. My wife and I love hosting, in fact our friends all over the US love visiting us in Cleveland.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success is in-part thanks to the support and encouragement from both my wife DawnDra Landon-Penn and my manager Alayha Graham. These two ladies have been invaluable to the growth of my music and my brand. My wife recognized my talent over a decade ago and pushed me to pursue music seriously. Having her validation has proven to be instrumental because she has an ear for good music and she’s not a ‘yes man.’ Alayha is the unseen force that keeps me organized, up-to-date and proficient. Alayha is very business-oriented and goes the extra mile to ensure the My_Kayla brand is both seen and heard. Lastly, my success in the film and television industry is thanks to the efforts of Chris B. Harris of Mayhem Music Production. Chris taught me how to make an impact in the sync-licensing industry, and under his guide I’ve now been featured in films like Senior Year, TV Networks such as OWN, Starz, HBO, TNT, The Food Network, etc. I also landed my first video game placement with Fortnite recently.

Website: www.my-kayla.com

Instagram: @my_kayla

Twitter: @my_kayla216

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/My_Kayla216

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MyKayla216

Other: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/my_kayla Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CzgKPddDvYFvMt7lCViHI?si=rTrQWcy-T6eOfGmzqySDRA Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10923560 Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B07N8HW5J8/my_kayla Apple: https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/my-kayla/1436291492?l=en Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/my-kayla/ARbPtg2vcPqh2tJ

Image Credits
Chris Goody Angel Mendez Chris Harris Mayhem Music Productions