Free Stylin with KayelaJ – Portland Rooted Hip Hop and Lyrical Artist

Last night KayelaJ, Portland local hip hop artist and lyricist, joined Learning to Grow with DJ Mkulima (The Farmer)! We had a chance to explore her roots as a up and coming hip hop artist in the Portland scene. KayelaJ also shared some of the inspirations and meaning behind her recent 3 song EP release!

Download or stream the Podcast here at KPSU, Soundcloud, or Mixcloud!

KayelaJ, a 22-year-old female lyricist, was born and raised in Northeast Portland, Oregon. At age seven KayelaJ became inspired to become a rap artist after witnessing a snippet of Lauryn Hill’s Doo-Wop (That Thing). She then honed her skills by utilizing the recording studio at Self Enhancement Incorporated, a summer school and after school program for underprivileged youth. In her earlier days she performed at talent shows and small local performances around Portland, OR. In 2013 KayelaJ decided to take a hiatus from music and instead focus on school. In 2017, now a first year graduate studen’t at Lewis & Clark College, KayelaJ has decided to try once again at pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a rap artist. She became a member of Naturally Grown Misfits (NGM) which consist of a group of Portland native creatives (e.g rappers, producers, stylist etc.). Her first contribution to the Hip Hop scene, as an adult, was her debut single Kayela to the MF J. Her musical influences include artist such as Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliot, Janelle Monae and Chance the Rapper. Within her music she enjoys incorporating poetic lines, harmonizing melodies, and using high and low tones all of which livens her delivery for listeners. Her musical content sometimes consist of topics surrounding the black community and the LGBTQ community. She also enjoys making fun, empowering music and incorporating different Hip Hop styles and different genres within her music. Although she labels her self a Hip Hop artist, her music, her rapping, and her creativity has no limits and she refuses to put herself into a single box or category.

Don’t forget to Keep on Growing out There!

Learn more about KayelaJ at her Website // Soundcloud // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Youtube

 

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