Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Musawwir
Hi Kayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My parents always say I came out of the womb loving music. I grew up on the greats like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Whitney Houston. I’m Jamaican on my mother’s side, whom I grew up with, and music was and still is a big part of our culture and the culture of my family. I was (and still am) the family “DJ”. Every birthday party or get-together my family looked to me to play the right songs for the moment and create an environment where everyone can let loose and dance together. I think this is how I learned how to arrange music and read a room when I meet artists in the studio and play them stuff.
My mother raised me to have a passion for reading and writing and for a long time, I thought that was where I would bloom career-wise. I had a knack for writing songs and dancing but never took it too seriously. To me, these were just outlets of expression. I went to art school in middle school at Osceola County School for the Arts and played the violin and piano. Ironically, going there and playing instruments solidified that music wasn’t my calling because I wasn’t passionate about playing instruments, but rather music in general. I internalized the common criticism that “music doesn’t pay bills.” That was until the end of 8th grade when I started to play around with GarageBand and fell in love with producing. It was all I did and wanted to do. Still, I stuffed my passions down because I knew that no one in my family would support that dream. Now I look around, equipment and instruments all around me, my family’s full support, and 100% certainty that music is my calling, that it is part of my purpose.
God has led me on this path and I’m so thankful for all the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned and will learn. Reflecting on the beginning of my journey validates my current reality. None of it was a fluke or a coincidence, it was all preparing me for right now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While doors have certainly opened, it wasn’t always easy. Being a woman in this industry is something that I am proud of and it also takes some extra thick skin and awareness when navigating new spaces. Often, I am one of the only women that many men in the industry meet who produces and that can be received in a variety of ways. Some ignore you, assuming you aren’t talented. Some test you and want you to prove that you belong in the room or that you are better than another gifted woman they know. When you’re just learning the ropes, being met with these attitudes can mess with your mind and confidence.
That being said, the majority of men I deal with in this industry are pretty normal and are excited about working alongside women, and I appreciate them very much. These experiences coupled with my retired people-pleasing habits taught me a very important lesson about forging your own path in this industry: go where you’re welcomed! When I was new to the game and insecure in my abilities, I was always trying to make myself fit into rooms that didn’t want me. Thankfully, after maturing and growing as a person, I realized that what YOU and your tribe think of your music is what matters most.
Sometimes, exclusion is a blessing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a music producer, songwriter, and artist who uses music to tell stories and impact the world for the better. Producing songs is my main focus. I love the process of making instrumentals and working with vocalists to craft a record. I’ve been producing for about 6 years now and songwriting my whole life. Currently, I have a growing community on Instagram that stands at around 12k and I’m very thankful for everyone that supports me on my journey.
Since freeing myself from genre limitations, what I love most about my unique sound is that my work is most recognizable for its quality and attention to detail. I like to think that I sculpt my music like a physical artist would and am always producing with sync opportunities in mind. Movies and music have always fascinated me deeply and I don’t export any sound that I can’t see first.
My mission now is to make music danceable again. A majority of music doesn’t make people dance anymore, most of it functions like a soundtrack to life. My music is made with dance elements so that I can share one of my favorite cultural experiences with the world.
What are your plans for the future?
I have many plans for the future! One that I’ll share is my plan to step out of my comfort zone and pursue a vocal artist career. I have some songs already recorded and mixed that will be dropping end of the year and I am grateful for the growth that embarking on this journey has already gifted me. I was perfectly content being a producer for the rest of my life but there’s another level of bravery and confidence that comes with being a vocalist that I admire so much now. My song “Tight Rope” discusses some of the internal challenges that come with putting yourself out there and I am so eager to share it with you all soon.
Tight Rope dropping on November 1st!
Besides that, you know what they say, never let them know your next move but rest assured the future is always accounted for. Big things coming, Lord willing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylamusawwir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkaylamusawwir/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KaylaMusawwir
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kaylamusawwir
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3v3ZrD5Wk5IfvAxAvYbLzz?si=bf91e35b84ac466c
