Music Goals, Drive & Ascension

0:00 Kaia J returns for her second interview with us, this time sharper, bolder, and more stoppable than ever. As an emerging recording artist with no creative limits, she stepped away briefly but has come back with full force. Her latest music videos are pulling in thousands of views and major artists and producers are beginning to co -sign her undeniable talent. Tap into here the evolution, the motivation, and the momentum behind one of the most promising artists on the rise. I'm your host, Andreas, and I got a little lover. I'm supposed to go to sleep, but I be all over the place. So I was like, yeah, that's what we wanted it to be. Following up on social media right now because there just wasn't producing a lot at the time. So just hearing about. Google Google and YouTube University is idealistically the best way to learn Alright y 'all, we're tuning in for another episode of Bankedoutt Radio Show.

1:14 I'm your host and I have brought via Zoom, we have a second time on the show, Ms. Kaia J. Hello, hello. You know what, I just thought of something, I'm gonna start calling you a little rock star. I like that, I like that. Kaia, it's been a while, it's been a couple years, I guess, since we sat down. Yeah, about four years. It's been that long? Uh -huh. Yeah, I was looking back. Really? Yeah, it was 2021. Oh my goodness. Crazy. You say our time was flying. Oh yeah. Crazy. So we got a lot to talk about then. We do. When, you know, that's back, you know what I'm saying, when I remember that song on my block and when you dropped that video. And now, you know what I'm saying, you just out here just booming. Got 11 ,000 on one to talk to me. It did overstay 23 ,000, so. Talk to us because I definitely want to Know because you know, this is one of my own personal questions. I want it answered Why did you take such a long time ma 'am? You know, a lot of people have asked me that honestly like long story short life. Obviously like having other responsibilities. I'm a full -time student still in my master's program now. And so what became a very short like hiatus or like a small break became me not doing music for like two

2:45 and a half years. And obviously like you know there were some like distractions along the way too. But yeah I know that I'm locked in like it's all gas no breaks. So at what point did you become focused to really go down the road again? Honestly, it was like this time last year, I had a lot change in my life. And I just had to do a lot of reflecting and think about what I really wanted to do. And like, even during that long two or whatever year break of not doing music, I would always go back and think about it. And there would be some days I'm like, you know, I'm sitting on all this music, but like, you know, well, I have the same fan base, like, well, people want to still listen, people forgot about me. But I mean, I just prayed on it. And something just told me like, you know, if you do it this time, like, it's gonna take off a lot faster than you think. And that's exactly what's been happening. So ever since then, I was like, yeah, like, now that I have everyone's attention, like, we got to keep it this time.

3:43 Yeah, I'm like, you already doing numbers, man. I wish people would do numbers like that. But it also I think it's attributed to, you know, I've known you to be a hard worker, you know, we've done a lot of other stuff outside of the interview, you know, skits and things of that nature, and you always wanting to like dive into the creative space of doing things, showing up, putting your all into stuff, and just being, you know what I'm saying, like a real professional out here. Thank you. So was there a different type of approach? Because listening to music, I hear the growth. I can hear where the songs seem more intentionally structured. Yeah. Let's make that radio show. And I have some deals for y 'all. There are some companies that I've been going, researching, looking at the different products and services that I want to turn you on to. So go to my deals page, check them out.

4:47 Any one of them that you want to interact with, want to do some business with. you'll get a promo discount as well when you try their product. Banked out B -A -N -K -E -D -O -U -T -T. Slide over to that page, check out what I have to offer and let me know. Absolutely. With this project, I just feel like... For one, it was almost sort of unintentional. Originally, I was going to build on Overstay. Overstay was originally an album that I had thought of. But I have some really great mentors in the industry. And one of them, my photographer, he had told me, he was like, you know, with you still being an upcoming artist, he's like right now. you just need to be dropping single after single, you know, and so I did that for a minute. And then, of course, in all this time that I've had to just write and just experiment a little bit more with different instrumentals or like vibes that I'm going for.

5:42 And that became my Talk To Me EP. And this one, I knew that if I was going to be introducing a new collective or like a body of work, I wanted people to be able to recognize the intention and structure behind it. Yes. I can tell like this was, you know, like I said, it was a very well thought out thing. Like I got like a little vibes from it. Thank you. I've been hearing that a lot lately and like she's one of my number ones. See, that's the thing. I was like, the aesthetics of it, just everything, you know, the photo shoot that you did, just the style, even the songs themselves. You know, that's what I get. So Do you have a favorite on the project right now? Someone asked me that the other day and it's still so hard. Um If I had to say my favorite currently at the moment, it's actually crash out for you I've been playing it like every single day, but I mean my song act that way is right there like It's so hard to pick. No, I definitely get this. So then how did you decide because the uh, the videos you shot Okay, so Overstay was the other project, which was still dope, by the way. Thank you. I loved it. So then, okay, so the Talk To Me, this particular video is all the songs being... Let's see here. So,

7:18 no, no. So this is one of the songs on the video, right? The Talk To Me video? Yes, uh -huh. That is the lead single. Okay. Okay. Good. Good. Okay. Hold on. It's the same as the album title and stuff like that. So talk to me. So how did you pick that as the video to debut with this then? Like I know, you know, it's the title and everything, but at the same time, it doesn't necessarily mean that that would always be the case. So honestly, um, A producer, he's out in Sacramento, he reached out to me one day on Instagram with the Talk To Me instrumental. And he just asked, like, was I working on any projects? And at the time, I was almost kind of sort of done or at least halfway through my EP. And I still really hadn't had a title. Like I didn't know what I wanted it to be. And so when he sent me the instrumental, I wrote to it like in a day. And by day three, I was recording it. And in that moment, I just knew I was like, OK, this is the song that we need to leap with. I shared it with a few people before I actually put it out. And everyone was just like, you know, this is the song. And so knowing that that was a song that I felt was a really good reintroduction of who I am as an artist today and know just the theme of the EP and the era that I wanted to broadcast. I just felt like. this is the way to do it. We got to have a video like, yeah. So what was the era then that you want to broadcast? I really wanted to. So the early 2000s, Y2K era, I really just

8:50 wanted to pay homage to that era because I grew up listening to a lot of music during that time. Even now, like, I still listen to 90s, early 2000s music, like it just dropped. And one day I was just listening to my music and I was like, man, they just don't make songs like this no more. Like, what's going on? And I was like, wait, I can do that. Yes, you're one of the people who can do it. You can change. So why don't they make songs like that anymore? They just do it. Yeah. Is it like, no, I was asking as far as, you know, how come, you know, songs aren't made like that anymore? Why do you think that is? Like, what's your perspective of, you know, being on the inside? Honestly, I think that we live in such like a instant gratification, like society, or like that's what our generation is built off of now, that everything is just like 30 second go, 30 second go. Like, I just don't really feel like... a lot of what's put out today is authentic.

9:53 And it's almost kind of like, I feel like everyone should sort of like ride in the same wave or following the same trends. And I don't know, I just don't really find any originality in that. And I also feel like too, like people want something that they can connect to like, sure, you know, party music, it's fun, don't get me wrong. But at the same time, it's like, there's so much more to life than just that. And yeah, part of yourself into oblivion. Well, you know, yeah, definitely get down. There's a lot of pain in life. It's like, you know, ups and downs, things of nature. Yeah, a lot of inspirational things, you know, things that actually make you realize, OK, what's really important in life as opposed to, you know, a lot of shallow stuff, whatever.

10:37 So I definitely get there. So. What has been your experience now is navigating the space of the music business. I'm like, you have more years to your resume. Like I said, you always do great things as far as I put out great product and things of that nature. So I'll never question that. But you're always new to someone else in the industry and the people that come along with it. So have you been able to navigate that space? I have and yeah, and I've honestly I've really have been enjoying it First and foremost. I have a really great team now. I'm managed by They're based out in Miami and they just help so much when it comes to like the creative side as far as like, you know, social media and marketing, because, you know, since social media is so big in our lives, like that's one of the quickest ways, you know, to connect with different audiences.

11:38 So just by putting myself out there a lot more, the opportunities have just sort of just started falling in my lap. So I hopped on a few Twitch streams. I went on, let me hear some. music live artist review the other night. And that just gave me a whole new community of fans and people that support me. So I've just been trying to be a lot more intentional with the fan base that I'm growing. So they even my team encouraged me to do an Instagram channel. And at the time, I didn't even know what that was. But since then, I really liked that layout because it lets me connect with people just a little bit more one on one share things like teasers or behind the scenes that my entire social media may not see for another week or so. No, I don't forget that.

12:28 I love the fact that you're doing things like that because that's what actually brings value. Absolutely. Because people want to know, you know, they want to know the music, they want to know how it gets done and behind the scenes stuff is some of the most looked at type of stuff material that you can put out there and anyone can do. I've done behind the scenes stuff and I'm like, I'd do 4 ,000 on that particular video and then the polished version of what I want only gets like 1 ,500 or 2 ,000. So, you know, but I get it because people When we put stuff out there, it's always like more of the finished product type of thing, as opposed to what's the process of actually going through that. Because some people, you know, they take notes, they get inspired, and some people are just, you know, it's a curiosity. You know, we still are all, at the end of the day, curious as humans. So, you know, back to, you know, the social media and, you know, how social media is. Yeah. And, you know, you've been making some posts here lately. The member that you know, I'm saying you made a postage is long lines and I'm paraphrasing your own words here So correct me after I get this If it's more along the lines of like, you know People not like supporting like they should or whatever or maybe you know, I'm saying you're starting to feel where you know You can feel the hate some wet or people trying to like, you know, yeah successful as you should be for sure and I mean like the hate's always been there.

13:51 So it's not like it's anything new. I think as of lately, or at least like the run I've been on lately, I'm starting to see where instead of just supporting me because the music's good, or because you know, everybody else sort of supports me, it's more so like a, all right, I'm gonna just sit back and watch and you know, like, see if she takes off hers before, like, you know, that sort of thing. So yeah, I just, I just sort of peep it, but at the same time, too, like, it really doesn't impact me negatively. It's more so just like, you know, do for thought. But yeah. No, I definitely could do it. And you know, it could be like a little envious thing to know. I think sometimes as we go in our face, we chase our goals. Yeah, we're in people see us doing that. Sometimes we're a mirror for them.

14:40 Reflections showing that where they're stagnant. Maybe they don't want to chase their goals or maybe they just don't know how to chase their goals. and to make uh progress in that area so therefore like you said why wait till you make it to a certain thing because at that particular point i don't think they realize you won't even be able to interact with them like that because it will be you will be flooded with so much stuff going on in your life like i guess you uh i would imagine you have aspirations to be a signed artist I do. I've obviously, you know, I've been doing my research with that as well too. Like if I want to, if I do get signed, which I genuinely feel like will happen, I obviously want to go to a label that does care about me as an artist.

15:31 I've been doing my research, you know, like what does that look like as pertaining to, you know, owning my masters and how royalties work out in the end. So I'm really thinking of it too, like from a very like realistic and like business mindset of it. But I do think that like Very soon other stuff will start lining up to where I am gonna have to start making some tougher decisions But I do definitely foresee that happening. Okay, so let's say the Your ideal situation happens as far as like your terms and stuff like that, right? So now you're plugged into the system So and this is going I'm going back to like, you know what people shouldn't just wait to support now because now you're in the system of Okay, this label let's say they put up million dollars or whatever, two million dollars to help push your project and stuff. That's a lot of marketing dollars to get you out there. So now you're on the road and stuff like that and you're doing bigger shows. You're interacting with bigger platforms. Your time is being consumed by all the industry folk. Yeah. Right. So all the other folk who do actually know you, who can't support right now, yeah like interact with you and stuff like that won't even have the time of day because they'll be sending you messages on uh social media and you won't even see them because you will be so uh inundated with so many other people trying to get your time because now you're a hot commodity and everybody wants a piece it's

17:05 tough yeah so you know hey they gotta support like y 'all need support now go ahead and support now Get a hold of her while you can before she takes off. So how has this year been for you as far as like, you know, just in general? Has this been a good year for you? Has it been a growing year for you? In general, I would say it's honestly been a really great year. I've accomplished so many things that I was just dreaming and planning about a year or so ago today. For starters, I've done three music videos this year. I'll be getting another one very soon. It's on the way. But I just feel like as far as like personal growth, you know, I've had a lot of different lessons and experiences this season, you know, definitely some ups and downs that's expected. But at the same time, I really have no regrets just because like certain things had not happened they one would have had made me who I am today and I genuinely feel like the TalksMeEP probably would have never even existed so nonetheless I'm extremely grateful. How involved were you in the treatment process of the videos being made? I'm sorry what you said? How involved were you in the treatment of the videos the treatment process of the videos that you have made? I'm pretty hands -on. Like, yes, I'm the artist,

18:37 but I also feel like I'm the director too. My videographer, Randy, he's amazing. And I do love that he also has his own vision. So there are definitely like some different elements where we have his creativity as well that help. bring it together but videos like talk to me especially because we put on a whole pool party and there's still a storyline that you know we had to follow through my friends you know they're drinking having a good time they're in the pool whatever and i'm just like hey i need you here you there so i definitely do have a very like director approach but it's genuinely just because like when i have a vision for something i want to see it executed like that if not better um but I will say the last video I just shot, we shot a video for Act That Way. So sorry about that.

19:28 Someone was trying to call me. We did shoot a video. Are you busy? Listen. So we shot a video while I was out in Miami. My teammates flew me there. And so we shot the video for Act That Way, which is on the EP. And that was one of the first videos I ever got to shoot where I wasn't directing everything. Yes, I definitely still have my say so, but my assistant, Darlene, she was on it as far as - I'm sorry, assistant. Okay, look at you, big time. They're all super dope and they're very intentional with - Just the layout and like how they want to see things being done as well. So that was honestly a relief I had a lot more fun shooting that video. So I'm really excited to see how it turned out I can't wait to see this and then the fact that you said that you know, you just got to be the talent You know I'm saying because you said you always involved in as an independent artist You know I'm saying you putting up bread and stuff like that. You're have all these resources allocated towards your vision So therefore you have to be way more hands -on, but like you said, hooking up with management, it's helping you, you know, take your career to another level to where you still focus on things, but you don't have to bear that responsibility as much, which is, you know, great because now you can get more in your creative bag and you can do other things as well to help compliment the entire vision, you know,

21:01 overall. So. Are there any, you know, people out there right now that, you know, Kaia is listening to that's in the area? Do you have a top three that you, you know what I'm saying? That I'm listening to? Mm -hmm. Hmm. Besides myself. Okay. So I'll definitely say as far as like local artists, I've been listening a lot more to Flash Gotti. We grew up with the school together. He's been doing this music thing for a long time. A while back on one of my lives, one of my friends Marcus, who is actually the background vocals and act that way. Marcus has said on the live with Justin, he was like, you know, you were really the foundation for all the local artists down here. Flash started making music and really performing, putting himself out there when we were like 12. And he's still doing his thing. He's so consistent behind it.

21:59 And so yeah, the talent, of course, like makes me want to support even more. So I've been listening a lot more to him. Other artists I've been listening to. Let's see. So. This album that I haven't been listening to it as much, but Take McRae, I don't know if you're familiar with her, but she's a pop artist. Her last album, So Close to What, it's helped me this entire year. Like, it's bangers. I love pop music. I love just anything that sounds good to me. Who's my third and final artist I've been listening to? That is so hard.

22:41 At least you named two of them, no? Yeah, hey. You got, hey, two, I'll take two. You got, you know, Flash and then the other person? Yeah, Tate McRae. Like, don't get me wrong. Like, I definitely do, like, listen to music, but since I've been on this, like, Talk To Me EP for so long, I've been truly working on it since the spring or the summer. All I've been listening to, like, is myself. And not more so of, like, oh, I'm my biggest fan. I am, but more so too, just like, you know, okay, how does this sound? How can it be better? Like, you know, how are other people listening? You're critiquing your body of work. So when you do put it out, it is up to your standards and stuff like that. No, I definitely get that. You know what I'm saying?

23:22 Like I said, I've done albums and stuff too, whatever. And I understand that entire process where you'll block stuff out. You know, you get that tunnel vision. But yeah, you have your mission that you want to complete. So what you got to like land up for the rest of the year is like, you know, are you going to roll this Are you rolling this out to where, you know, it's going to be extensive promo plan, you know, having more interviews, stuff like that? Oh, yeah. My team, they lined up a lot for me. This is truly just the very beginning of the Talk to Me EP campaign. So all I can say is that just be on the lookout for some more radio interviews and some major blogs along the way. And of course, the visuals. Gotta give y 'all a video before the year ends, but yeah, this is definitely something that we're gonna ride into 2026 with. That's what's up. How is the family loving, you know what I'm saying, what you doing? Everyone! It's so supportive. And I think like sometimes it surprises me because obviously, like, you know, my music, it can be a little, you know, secular promiscuous or, you know, like, I taught my jump sometimes. And, you know, I wasn't always ever sure, like, you know, how people will respond to that. You know, my cousins are aunts, you know, they're cool to survive. But there was some songs like on the EP, I was like, all right, I don't know how my folks don't feel about this, but let's just see what happens. And Everyone from my mom's side to my dad's side, great aunts and uncles, they just support me. For them, they're

24:55 just like, you know what? You're chasing your dreams and also you have something to show for. We're just going to support you regardless. I love it. I love that you're getting that support and that you be important to emotionally and everything else that's involved. I love when people go and chase things and they turn them into a fruition. And, you know, the love that comes with that because it's, uh, I don't know. It's just, it's like that endorphins from that. And just, it's like a natural high or whatever. And to be appreciated because like you're an artist who's actually talented as opposed to, you know what I'm saying? Other artists that I've heard. So, you know, Hey, it just is what it is. Everybody doesn't have that, you know what I'm saying? Talent level, uh, one due to whatever various things and stuff like that.

25:44 But. I love coming across artists who are like yourself, who are really intentional, who are talented, who sing, who write, who are professional, who gets back in timely manners and stuff like that. My God never had an issue when it comes to correspondence with you and stuff like that. So ma 'am, you're going to keep going for it. Thank you. I don't think you don't have a limit. I don't see where there's a limit for you. I don't see anyone either. Thank you. You're welcome. Do you still have time right now while you're doing this to really still be creative as far as writing and stuff like that? Or are you just in promo mode and networking and all that stuff?

26:27 Absolutely. I try to make as much time for it as I can. So even if I had a day where it was, you know, all right, let's follow this content calendar. This is the promo for today. If I'm in bed nine or ten o 'clock, like I got my headphones on and I'm right into another song. Like I'm always making time some shape, form or fashion. Like there's times on my lunch break. I get an hour. I'm in my car. I'm listening to beats. I'm writing like it never stops. since you've been on this uh magnificent promo run and like putting out quality content have you had a lot of people reach out to you just uh in general for collaborations or whatever the case may be definitely um just in general of course like you know there's been like other podcasts um or other artists um even something i've sort of like surprised me so when I released the video to Overstay, one day one of my Instagram and DDG had commented and I was like, oh, wait, like, I didn't realize like we were getting into like, you know, surprise me a bit. I didn't realize like everyone was really, you know, like that.

27:38 Yeah. That's the great thing about social media. And also when you have something that's right for it, you know, like I said, you have quality music, you have quality product. so it should go and it should reach and people should share. Didn't Zaytoven like play your music as well? He did. Yeah, so Zaytoven too has just always been super great. This year I've definitely have gotten the opportunity to just learn a little bit more from him. He's a great mentor when he heard Overstay. So a lot of people don't know this, but I actually wrote Overstay when I was 21 years old. I've been sitting on it forever. And so I shared it with him back in 2021. And he was like, this is dope. And you know, that gap where I didn't really do anything. So I released Overstay as like, you know, a reintroduction, shared it to him. He loved it. And so after that, once he started promoting it, he was like, listen, from here on out, he's like, you have my co -sign, put it in the blogs, bitch in the interviews, whatever, you know, like it's full on support.

28:44 Congratulations on that. Yeah, I love it. Thank you. And you know, everybody don't get that. So like I said, you deserve everything that comes to you. I want to see you like, you know, being nominated for Grammys and stuff like that. I know a couple of Grammy voting members and stuff. So, you know, I'm be looking at them. We'll talk. But. I want everybody to know, where can they go and find your stuff? How can they interact with you? How can they support you and things of that nature? For sure. So my debut EP, Talk To Me, that's TLK, the number two meet, is on Apple Music, Spotify, any streaming platforms that you can find. You can also find me on Instagram at its .kayaj. That's K -A -I -A. the letter J and yeah just be on the lookout because it's a run for sure. That's what's up. So y 'all make sure y 'all go and support Kaya J, little rock star dubbed here on the Make That Radio show.

29:52 All social media platforms and things of that nature and y 'all keep on supporting the platform as well. Thank you ma 'am. Thank you.