Fayetteville native Caddi Kaye is a singer/songwriter who mixes her southern, West Indian, and Jamaican roots to form soulful, rhythmic R&B that can really match any mood.
Her latest single “Downtown” taps into these strengths while serving up sensual lyrics over a spacey instrumental. Kaye also has an EP titled Overzealust that’s slated to drop on the 12th.
The North Carolina native grew up in a family where music was much more than a hobby. She explained that “you couldn’t be ‘family’ without playing an instrument.” However, her love of music turned into a career two years ago and since then, she’s begun to make a name for herself with appearances on compilation tapes with Derez De’Shon and Euro Gotit, among others.
But despite beginning to taste success, she stays focused on creating art that her audience will love and self-discovery rather than succumbing to industry pressures.
“Music is a universal language. Where words fail, music speaks. Being a reserved Pisces, oftentimes I speak through my pen. I’m inspired by life in general. Everything is energy – feeling. I want the listener to be so engulfed in the music, they stay in the moment,” she said.
Kaye describes her sound as “New Jack Swing meets R. Kelly with a bop” and draws influence from the 90s as well as current acts like H.E.R., Ella Mai, Bino Rideaux, and Blxst.
Make sure to check out “Downtown” on all platforms and stay tuned for Overzealust
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?I’m from Da Ville – Fayetteville, NC. I’m currently based out of Charlotte, NC.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
I go by the name of Caddi Kaye, which is a spin on my first name (Cathi) & the initial for my last (Kennings). I wanted to chose a name that was genuine and essentially embodied who I am. My family is West Indian, so they don’t use “th”. My teammates also, called me “Caddi” growing up playing basketball – Cat Daddy.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?I began taking music seriously about 2 years ago (2018). I’ve been around and simply making music, but during those times, I didn’t always put myself in a position to be noticed.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?Most definitely! As a child, you couldn’t be “family” without playing an instrument. Both of my parents had/have different taste. My mother is from “The South”, so you get soul. My father is from “The Island”, so you get reggae riddims. Fuse the two together, you get “Caddi Kaye”.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?If I had to describe my sound, I would say,“New Jack Swing meets R. Kelly with a bop”. I’m an entire feeling/mood.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?I’m a poet in motion, music chose me! I wake up dancing to some melody in my head and words come with ease. Honestly, I wouldn’t be satisfied doing anything else.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
What makes me most passionate would be the self discovery. Music is a universal language. Where words fail, music speaks. Being a reserved Pisces, often times I speak through my pen. I’m inspired by life in general. Everything is energy – feeling. I want the listener to be so engulfed in the music, they stay in the moment.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?I would say that I am a creative to it’s full extent. So, I may draw, paint, design, create artwork with epoxy, etc. m
Who are some of your main musical influences?This is a tough question, because I would say, my foundation is built off of multiple sounds from the 90s. Songwriting is key for me though – whether that’s arrangement or putting words together. Right now I’m listening to H.E.R., Ella Mai, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Bino Rideaux, Blxst, etc.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?I’m look forward to securing future song placements – sync, Grammy Albums, etc. I want to be the songwriter you initially think of for a hit! Whether that be for myself or others.
Tell us about the project that you are promoting. What is it about? Is it a single or EP? Also, what is the name of the last project you released? My latest single is ‘Couple Minutes’ ft Sequence Clark. This song basically stresses what the hook states: “I only got a couple minutes to let you know just how I’m really feeling”. This song is a vibe and Sequence added extra sauce. The last project released in 2019, was a single entitled, ‘Smoke Wit Me’.
What has the response been like to that project?The response from that record made me want to triple my efforts. The fan/supporters loved it. The streaming numbers on Spotify where impressive.
What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?I’ve been on a few compilation tapes and I’ve released a few singles of my own, however, the one I’m most proud of is on its way.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.My upcoming EP ‘Overzealust ’ – will drop before the end of the year. My team & I put a lot into this one coming, I think it’ll be a big surprise for those who are just getting introduced to the music.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music?Essentially, I want you to feel love – freely. For a moment, escape and be in tune with your emotions.
Where can we follow you on social media?
@CaddiKaye on Instagram.
