Kayla sings way back to class

A PRIMARY school pupil who rapped her way into lockdown is now chanting her way out with her very own sea shanty.

Kayla Reid has not let the confines of learning from home dampen her creative spirit, as she released her own homage to the hit sea shanty Wellerman by Nathan Evans.

Her new release comes almost a year after she waxed lyrical in her track Keep Washing Your Hands on YouTube. The catchy rap borrowed the backing track for the introduction to the popular ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, starring Will Smith.

The Seaview Primary pupil has now burst back on to the scene to drop the SeaView Shanty as she returns to class in Monifieth.

Kayla, 10, compiled the lyrics before uploading her new track on to the website Soundcloud.

The P6 pupil said she has “enjoyed” being creative during the lockdown period before admitting she “couldn’t believe” a year had almost passed since Keep Washing Your Hands went on to YouTube.

“I thought it would be great to do something else since we were going back to class. The Wellerman sea shanty was so catchy, I thought I could do something using the track and my own lyrics.

“It took about a day to come up with the lyrics, just looking back on some of the things that have happened during lockdown.”

Kayla’s teacher Mr Millar gets a name drop before a rousing cry of “Seaview here we come”.

Proud mum Michelle said it took about two days to create with the assistance of her husband Jamie.

“I was saying to Kayla it’s been nearly a year since you did that video at the start of lockdown, I almost couldn’t believe it myself.

“The Wellerman sea shanty had been so popular Kayla decided to do her own version of the song.

“It’s come together really well. I think Kayla’s classmates are getting a chance to hear it in the classroom.

“She is delighted to see all her classmates again. Although they have all the technology to keep in touch it isn’t the same as seeing your pals properly.”

Kayla also recorded a rendition of A Million Dreams, from The Greatest Showman, played at her great-gran Muriel Thomson’s funeral in recent weeks.

Michelle added: “Kayla lost her great-gran. It’s been challenging for everyone losing loved ones, but Kayla wanted to sing a song for her.”

Kayla with great-gran Muriel Thomson who died recently.

Nathan Evans had a hit with the sea shanty Wellerman.