Meet The Emerging Pop Maestro Kaeyra

Emerging pop superstar Kaeyra is making her grand return to the music sphere. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the 23-year-old grew up in a culturally and musically inclined environment, partly due to her mother running a music school. As Kaeyra grew older, her love for the arts grew stronger, resulting in her carving a path toward becoming a singer-songwriter.

Since embarking on her music journey, Kaeyra has achieved incredible feats as an artist, including signing with Warner Music Poland, moving to Los Angeles, becoming a finalist on American Idol and amassing six million streams for her single ‘Sour.’ With 2025 in full swing, the multi-instrumentalist is set to resume her upward trajectory with her new song, ‘Kiss Kiss.’

Backed by the taste and wit of anthemic female empowerment pop, the high-energy song turns the drama of modern relationships on its head with an aura of inexorable fun. We were able to chat with Kaeyra about ‘Kiss Kiss,’ her music journey, and so much more. Read her full interview below.

Hi Kaeyra, thanks for chatting to us! Would you kindly introduce yourself to any readers who may not have heard your music yet?

Hi! I’m so excited to share a bit of my story with you. My name is Kaeyra- I was born in Chicago, IL. I grew up in a very musical household; my mom is a piano teacher and ran a music school, so music was the heartbeat of our home.

From a very young age, I knew music was my calling. It was never something I questioned, it was just a part of who I was. I poured all of myself into it, and nothing else mattered as much.

About five years ago, I made the move to Los Angeles to dive even deeper into my artistry. Since then, I’ve been exploring my sound, discovering more about who I am as an artist, and collaborating with some incredible producers and songwriters. It’s been a journey of growth, self-discovery, and creative freedom.

You have quite a few accomplishments under your belt for someone so young in the industry. How does it feel to have achieved so much and to still have so much ahead of you?

Thank you so much! Honestly, it feels surreal sometimes. I’ve been working towards this dream for as long as I can remember, so to see some of that hard work come to life is incredibly rewarding. But at the same time, I still feel like I’m just getting started.

There’s so much I want to explore creatively, so many stories I haven’t told yet, and so much growth ahead of me as both an artist and a person. I’m really grateful for the journey so far, but even more excited for what’s to come.

Congratulations on the recent release of your latest single ‘Kiss Kiss’! What does this song mean to you, and what’s one aspect of the track you’re particularly proud of?

Thank you! I’m super proud of ‘Kiss Kiss’ and how it all came together. I had such an incredible team of friends in the room, and the energy that day was just unmatched, it made the whole creative process feel effortless and fun.

What I’m most proud of is going into the session with a clear vision: I wanted to make a fun, confident female anthem with a killer bassline, and I really feel like we nailed it. It’s one of those songs that I hope makes women feel empowered. And of course, huge shoutout to the sick bassline that sparked the whole thing, it was the heartbeat of the track and totally set the tone for everything else.

Both the song and music video are tremendously fun! How would you say that element of fun fits into your creative process, work ethic and artist identity?

Honestly, having fun is such an essential part of my creative process and who I am as an artist. I take my work seriously and pour everything into it, but I never want to lose that spark or sense of play. Especially in the studio or on set, it opens up space for the most authentic, uninhibited ideas to come to life.

With that being said, I love creating music with my friends because they truly know me – who I am, what I stand for, and how passionate I am about being a voice for women. Having that comfort and trust in the room makes it easier to let go, not overthink, and just enjoy the process. It keeps things light, creative, and honest, and I think that energy really translates into the music

Your bass playing is a big part of your persona, and you’re certainly a talented instrumentalist. What is it about bass specifically that appeals to you and who is your favourite bass player?

I started playing bass when I was 12, back when I was forming a band and we couldn’t find a bass player. I remember some of the adult men around me saying that bass “wasn’t really an instrument for girls,” and for some reason, that moment stuck with me. It became this huge source of motivation—I wanted to prove that a girl can do anything she sets her mind to. So I picked up a bass (which, at the time, was basically the size of me!) and started teaching myself how to play.

Since then, watching and learning from other bass players has been such a key part of staying inspired and growing as a musician. Two of my biggest inspirations are Nik West and Blu DeTiger—they both bring such unique energy and style to the instrument, and I love how they’ve made bass a central part of their artistry.

On that note, where would you say your musical influences lie?

I’ve always been influenced by a wide range of styles—I never want to box myself into one genre. I think there’s so much value in staying open and curious as an artist. You can learn something from anyone, even if their music isn’t exactly what you gravitate toward. That mindset has really shaped how I create.

I grew up listening to artists like Radiohead, Fiona Apple, and Soundgarden—those were huge for me early on. But at the same time, I completely fell in love with soul music. I listened to a lot of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Donny Hathaway. There was just something about the emotion and storytelling in soul that really moved me. I’ve always welcomed any kind of inspiration, and I think that openness continues to shape my sound today.

Your songs are catchy and uplifting while being relatable and empowering. Is this balance a conscious part of your creative process? What is Kaeyra’s message to the world?

Absolutely! That balance is definitely intentional. I’m so excited to share more music that dives even deeper into my mind as a songwriter. But at the core of it all, my main mission has always been to inspire women to be unapologetically themselves and to never settle—for less than they deserve, in life or in love.

I was lucky to grow up surrounded by strong, independent women who shaped me into the person I am today. They showed me what it means to stand tall in your truth. I’ve always found myself being that voice of support and empowerment for the women in my life, and it’s become a personal mission to carry that energy into my music—to uplift, empower, and hopefully reach even more people with that message.

From successful music videos to a unique TikTok page to appearing on television, you’ve been in front of cameras in a range of contexts. Is that something that comes naturally to you or is presenting a visual identity just as much work for an artist as creating music?

I’ve always loved performing and sharing my music beyond just the writing and studio process. From an early age, being in front of the camera felt natural to me—it was another way to express myself and connect with people. Whether it was performing on stage, filming a music video, or even posting on TikTok, I saw it all as part of the bigger picture of storytelling.

That said, developing a visual identity definitely takes intention and effort. Making sure the visuals align with the message and emotion behind the music. I really enjoy that process because it gives me the chance to bring my songs to life in a different way. I think visuals can add so much to the listener’s experience, and for me, it’s all about creating an atmosphere and a world that people can step into.

What’s something you really hope to achieve in your career someday?

I really hope to become a powerful voice for women all over the world—someone who can inspire others to embrace their truth, stand in their power, and never settle. My biggest dream is for my music to reach a wide audience, where I can turn my passion into a lifelong career that I’m truly proud of.

I’ve always loved traveling and performing, so the idea of being able to tour the world, connect with people through music, and create unforgettable moments on stage—that’s the ultimate dream for me. If I can do all that while making a positive impact and staying true to who I am, then I’ll know I’ve really made it.

And finally, what can you share with our readers about your plans for the rest of 2025?

There’s so much in the works for 2025,and I honestly can’t wait to share it all. You’ll definitely be hearing a lot more music from me, I’ve been writing nonstop and have so many demos that are just waiting to be released into the world. I’m really proud of what’s coming next and can’t wait for people to hear the evolution of my sound.

There are also a lot of shows on the horizon, which I’m especially excited about. Performing live is one of my favorite parts of being an artist, and I’m looking forward to connecting with even more people face to face! 

Check out Kaeyra’s new single ‘Kiss Kiss’ here or below.