Artist Interviews
Apr 8, 2025
Produced by: Tadeáš Jánoš
Edited by: Rudy Manager & Andrej Aroch
KayCyy – “If I like a beat, the song almost writes itself”
In this exclusive Studio Talks interview, the highly talented artist KayCyy shares his creative process, his evolution as an artist, and his upcoming projects. He highlights the importance of storytelling through intentional visuals and explains how his early aspirations to preach have shaped his music. He reflects on his collaborations with industry superstars like Kanye West and Gesaffelstein. He also discusses the impact of platforms like TikTok on music. Looking ahead, KayCyy reveals his goals for global recognition and teases future projects. This interview was conducted by Tadeáš Jánoš via video call on March 4, 2025.
You grew up in Kenya before moving to Minnesota. How did growing up in both cultures shape your sound and influence your approach to music?
It shaped my sound a lot and still does today. Speaking three languages—English, Swahili, and Kalenjin—helps me in music and the kind of style I try to do. It makes me more versatile, so I don’t feel boxed in. I don’t just focus on rapping or trap beats. I can switch it up—maybe do an Afro-style song with African drums. Being from Kenya and moving to Minnesota opened my mind to other music. I can understand reggaeton and different genres. It’s just something that happened naturally because of where I come from.
When you’re in the studio, do you have a clear vision, or do you let things happen organically with your producer?
When I make music, I just let it happen naturally. If I’m writing a song for Kanye West or Rihanna, I focus on their vibe—trying to absorb their real-life experiences so I know what to write about. But for myself, I just go in and create based on how I’m feeling. I don’t force it anymore. If I like a beat, the song almost writes itself.
Your visuals are very intentional. Are you aiming to tell a story with your music videos?
Absolutely. Music videos are very important to me. A lot of people discovered me through my visuals, whether it was my work with Gesaffelstein or “Hold You Up.” So I want to keep that going, even with “ALL IN VEIN.” Even with the tools I have now, I want my visuals to stay up to par because people expect that from me. And I expect that from myself too.
Where do you see your sound evolving in the next few years?
Definitely going mainstream—becoming globally recognized. I have a plan to be a worldwide artist. It’s about how I release my projects and where I distribute them. I see myself playing Coachella and touring the world—that’s what I’m working toward.
When you’re in the studio, do you expect your producer to guide you, or do you prefer a more equal partnership?
It depends on the producer. Some producers don’t know how to guide a vocalist. Some just send a pack of beats and let me do the rest. Others stay in the studio and help tweak lines with me. Working with Gesaffelstein was like that—he was in the studio, giving feedback, telling me to do another take. Mustard is like that too—he’ll guide you and point out what needs to be fixed instead of just handing over beats and leaving. That’s the difference between a true producer and just a beatmaker.
Can you tell me about your collaboration with Gesaffelstein and how it came together?
We both worked on “Donda,” though I didn’t see him much then. Since we were signed to the same label, the CEO connected us. It turned out to be a great decision—we clicked even more than we expected. He became like a guru—someone I could text. He doesn’t even have Instagram, but he’ll still text me, like, “Yo, I liked what you dropped.” That kind of support is dope.
What do you think about TikTok’s influence on music?
If you put in the effort, TikTok can be a great tool for building your music. I just never put much time into figuring out how to blow up on there. The industry is definitely saturated with a lot of not-so-good music, but at the same time, artists like Doechii are killing it. It’s a new era. It comes down to whether you want to be viral online or dominate the radio—I want the latter.
Can social media impact artistic integrity?
Absolutely. I’m not gonna lie—I try to go viral too. The goal is to get people to hear my music. Sometimes I’m not sure how to make that happen on TikTok, but I don’t think it’s a bad platform. Some artists don’t use social media at all, but their songs still get picked up. Like sign crushes motorist—the kid I did an album with—he doesn’t even go on TikTok, but his music gets used on there a lot. It works differently for everyone.
You recently dropped “ALL IN VEIN,” which samples Donny Hathaway’s “Love, Love, Love.” What drew you to that sample?
I loved the sample—especially Donny’s voice. I pitched it up so it sounded like a woman. I sat on that song for almost a year, so it felt great to finally release it. Now feels like the right time—soul music and sampling are making a comeback.
What’s coming up next for your fans?
I’ve got an album coming soon, hopefully this month. I’m not giving exact dates yet, but there’s a lot of music on the way. More than I’ve ever put out before. It’s going to be a big year.
Can you tell us about the themes in your next album?
The album I’m working on is called Never Been So Sure. It’s been in the making for a while. I’ve been diving into jazz lately—going to jazz clubs. A$AP Rocky even took me to one in New York, which really opened my eyes. I’m blending those influences into my sound. This is the most vulnerable album I’ve ever made. I’m talking about my family, dealing with family curses, and addressing things I’ve never talked about before. It’s raw, real, and honest. It’s a journey, and it’s leading into even more personal work. The album I did with sign crushes motorist focuses more on the industry—frustrations, label issues, everything I’m going through.
Do you have any message for your fans?
Never stop believing. Once you give up, it’s over.
Follow KayCyy on Instagram: @kaycyy_pluto
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