**ALEXANDER MCQUEEN** coat and pants, **GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI** shoes, **MARTINE ALI** necklaces and rings, and **GENTLE MONSTER** sunglasses.

KayCyy might be a new artist to you, but he’s already accomplished what many can only dream of in the field of music. Hailing all the way from Kenya, but now calling sunny Los Angeles home, the rising star already boasts a Grammy nod for his work on Kanye West’s critically acclaimed Donda album, where he contributes to the fan-favorite, “Flew By You,” along with vocals on “Keep My Spirit Alive.” KayCyy describes himself as “high spirited, gifted in music, and a visionary.” The artist arrives on the scene with his own unique sound that defies genre boundaries. He states, “I’m a breath of fresh air, it’s a new sound. From what everybody tells me, I’m a new tone to the world. When people start discovering it, it’s like ‘Who is this kid?’ The sound that I’m on is everywhere, I can’t put it in one genre. It fits everybody, it’s all about a mood and what you feel.”

Upon listening, you’re immediately sucked into this futuristic soundscape consisting of metallic vocals, heartfelt lyrics that touch your soul, and catchy ad-libs that will have you coming back longing for more. Inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson, Drake, and James Blake, KayCyy is setting himself up for greatness, just like his idols.

**GIVENCHY** jacket, pants, and visor, **MARTINE ALI** rings, and **KUBORAUM** sunglasses.

After graduating high school in 2016, KayCyy boldly relocated to New York, and soon after connected with Abou Bu Thiam, who signed him to his Bu Vision imprint. There, he had the opportunity to collaborate with Maino and Casanova, along with scoring a writing credit on Lil Wayne’s 2020 album, Funeral.

Now arriving on the heels of his previous release, “Stay Up,” KayCyy returns with his newest single and visual for “OKAY!” Flaunt caught up with KayCyy to discuss his roots in Kenya, falling in love with music, how he got his name, working with Kanye West, getting his first Grammy nomination, writing for Lil Wayne, his inspiration behind “Stay Up” and “OKAY!”, signing to Columbia Records, his fashion sense, goals, and more!

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You’re originally from Kenya—how was it growing up there?

It was dope, it was definitely an experience. It taught me a lot about discipline and a lot about my culture, everything I know now as an adult. A lot of it was discipline. It showed me more of how to be a family man, how we were raised as Africans moving as a family in Kenya. I guess my family—I can’t speak for every- body.

When did you fall in love with music?

I was heavily influenced by church and gospel music. I’d go to church all of the time with my mom. At a young age, praise and worship was the highlight of church every time. I’d like to go there and listen to the songs that they were singing. I always thought gospel music had the best singers—that’s how I really started. My first song I ever wrote was a gospel song, I was 13 or 14. I remember the summer when I went back to visit my mom in Kenya, that’s when I really got into music, started researching. When I was in America, I started getting into The Jackson 5, and doing my research and studying that kind of music. Even right now, I’m watching this Motown documentary. It’s more interesting because back then is when they really made real life hits. Timeless music that I could still listen to, you hear it like, “Awww.” That’s my goal in the music I try to make—study the greats and make those sounds that shift the culture.

Was there a turning point where you realized you could do music for a living?
I continued to fall in love with it. It’s like doing sports, and you start getting good at it, like, “Oh man, I really like this.” The pas- sion kept growing and I started taking it more seriously around 16-years-old.

What’s the inspiration behind your name?

KayCyy is not my real name—it means King Confidence. My mom gave me that name. King Confidence isn’t cool enough, so I made it look weird how I spelled it. Changed it to KayCyy and shortened it.

How did you get tapped in with Kanye?

We had the same relationships—it was through Bu. At the time when I got connected with Ye, Bu was managing him. I’m also signed to Bu, it just happened to work out that way. Kanye needed writers and people to help on the album. That was my introduction. From then on, we built a relationship from there. From them both taking me under their wing, showing and teaching me stuff. With Bu, that’s my brother forever.

What were those first encounters like with Ye?

Of course I was nervous. When I first met him, it was at his house. It’s still mind-blowing, I’m really at his crib. Being a fan of his music growing up, it was definitely a dream. It felt surreal, but it got normal after being there so much. It’s still not normal because, dang, his day-to-day is different from our day to day. It’s interesting soaking that knowledge up.

How was it working on the Donda album? Any highlights?

Yeah, just meeting everybody. Different artists like Justin Bieber, Travis Scott, all these other artists that would come through and help on the album also. Just building relationships with everybody else—definitely the relationships were the highlights.

**LGN LOUIS GABRIEL NOUCHI** top, **PACE** pants, **R13** shoes, **MARTINE ALI** necklaces, bracelet, and rings, talent’s own bracelet, and **MONCLER + DINGYUN ZHANG** headpiece.

How does it feel to get your first Grammy nomination?

That’s the super duper highlight from the whole thing. To see all of the hard work we put in be recognized by such a big platform like the Grammys, and actually nominate us, is dope. I’m very excited, and praying we win.

Talk about landing a writing credit on Lil Wayne’s Funeral.

That was a play that happened through one of my producer friends that I work with named Javar Rockamore, and his group name is The Loopholes. They do a lot of Wayne’s music. At the time, it was a song that we had worked on in Atlanta. It had a hook to it, it was so catchy. I ended up finishing it up with the producer. It’s one of those plays where you send it over to them and Wayne happened to really like it, and built his whole thing around it. That was a big moment for me too. That was my first big placement I got, before the Ye stuff even came out.

That’s the best rapper alive!

That’s a fact. [laughs] Super wild.

Who or what inspired “Stay up”?

The beat was so energetic and powerful. I did it in New York, it was a weekend where I was working and hanging out with Travis and them. I happened to make that song in the midst of all that with WondaGurl. I ended up getting Lancey Foux on there. It was during Donda in Atlanta, he had reached out to me on Instagram. I literally had just found out about him not long ago. It was perfect timing. I wanted to try a different vibe where I had a UK-type sound to the song and to see where it goes.

**GUCCI** overalls, **KUBORAUM** sunglasses, **MARTINE ALI** necklaces, bracelet, and rings, and talent’s own bracelet.

How does it feel to be focusing on your own music, versus behind-the-scenes?
It feels amazing, it’s time. It’s my turn now. It’s my turn to step out and get into the field now.

What can we expect from your newest release, “OKAY!”?

Man, a whole new sound. New energy, sirens, it’s gonna catch your attention. Visuals are crazy! It sounds like 2030, 2050 type music. That’s where I’m trying to take it with this album. Even the sun when it comes out, it’s a whole different sound. The beats are different, but hearing me singing on those kinds of beats will be different.

What inspired the music video?

The video is crazy—we shot it in Paris. They look like two videos in one, but it’ll drop at separate times. It’s like a movie where you continue part 1, part 2 type vibes. It’ll be crazy. It’ll keep you interested.

**VALENTINO** top and pants, **MARTINE ALI** necklaces, bracelet, and rings, and **GENTLE MONSTER** sunglasses.

How’d you find your way to Columbia Records?

I gotta give credit to KC, he happened to discover my music. I’m not sure exactly how, maybe through SoundCloud. I was dropping music on SoundCloud, had a couple of songs out throughout the Ye hype that was going on through Donda.

Three things you need in the studio?

Good vibe, I need some weed for sure. I like putting a good movie on that can inspire me. Good vibes.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I like putting on all the stuff that’s not too hyped up or trendy. I like the trendy shit but choosing what to wear—you know, the right things. I like different brands, Kapital and Givenchy a lot, they’re out here. Also tapping in with these designers like Matthew Williams and Don C, it’s been cool tapping in with them. I met Virgil [Abloh] at the Donda show in Chicago—that was really dope to meet him. RIP to him. It’s more people that I want to meet, even people that pick out really dope stuff and pieces that aren’t in major stores.

Goals for yourself as an artist at this point of your career?

First goal: I want to drop this album. I want it to be the best debut album ever, for my age group. I’d love to walk one of these fashion shows. I want to invest in property and build stuff for my mom in Kenya. I have my own clothing line I’m working on. I want to be able to do my first mini-runway show in Minnesota where I’m from. That’s my list for now: drop the album, be the best new artist, all of that good stuff.

Why should people listen to you?

I’m the truth. People are getting the same thing every time so it’s time for something new. I want to at least give them a chance to see if they like it or not. As long as they have the chance to see and decide, that’s all I need. 99% of the time, they’re going to fuck with me.