Local Afrobeats singer Kaiya is one to watch
Keshia Thomas or Kaiya, as she is better known, is a woman of many talents having her hands in the skincare industry as a massage therapist and skincare specialist, she is going all in with her pursuit of a career in music.
Kaiya said, “My gift for music was always inside me from birth. Different intervals came into my life that made me divert onto other roads. But music was always in my heart fighting to unveil.” Thus she has gone from not trusting her own creative ability to soaring and touring different countries with different artists.
Kaiya started her singing career in church and sharing her gift with her friends and family from a tender age her talent and passion were evident.
However it was not until the pandemic hit that she took the opportunity to focus on her craft fully.
“The challenge I faced was to find the right producer to help me understand the right genre I was best suited with,” she said. “Getting the first song well written by a songwriter. How to promote and market my music and find the right team to work with. My dreams slowly were in motion after I continually believed in myself to keep pushing while building an amazing team still in motion.”
Though this took some time she eventually mastered her craft which opened the arenas in the Afrobeats genre for her.
“When I travelled to Ghana, I was exposed to the musical world there and how they deal with upcoming artistes in the business,” she said. “It taught me the importance of having an effective marketing team to place you in the media and the production world. Learning so much from experienced musicians and elite music professionals helped me cultivate my vision in many ways to become a professional singer, performer and person on and off the stage.”
Growing up, she listened to the likes of Beres Hammond and Bob Marley among others. This shaped Kaiya’s musical direction.
“I grew up listening to Beres and his lover’s rock while developing my own style. He influenced my love music towards men. I’m a lover kind of girl busting with romance and I always wanted to show it in my music and performances. ‘Love Potion’, ‘Real Love, and ‘So Nice’ are some of my lovers’ rock to listen to,” Kaiya said.
Her advice to young music enthusiasts is to learn about the industry before entering it. “... It will help you to learn where your target audience are, develop your craft daily, find the right team whom you trust that have your best interests at heart,” she said, adding, “be kind, consistent, humble and authentic. Don’t be afraid to take risks and believe in you, wholeheartedly.”
Currently Kaiya is working with Team Diplomat music group in the United States, whom she said possesses the acquired knowledge to make her production international.
“My future goals are better musical productions working with top local and international producers,” she said, “better visibility on all social media platforms for my brand – Kaiya’s music – working on seeking corporate support through corporate product branding and services.”
Her first big stage performance was the Emancipation festival in Guyana in 2022. Her first big audience was Jamrock in Ghana in January of this year.
She remembered her time spent performing in hotels and restaurants in Barbados as these were her practising grounds for the bigger audiences.
Kaiya’s music can be accessed on various social media platforms such as, Kaiya’s Music on Facebook, Kaiya’s Music on TikTok, @Kaiyamusicofficial2022 on Instagram and on YouTube at Kaiya’s Music. (Mia Anthony)