We were lucky to catch up with Michaela Penn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michaela, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I try not to have regrets in life, however I do wish I would’ve been more consistent with my music early in my career. I started recording in high school and dropped my first singles after I graduated from in undergrad. Due to grad school and overthinking I took a very long hiatus from music. Those years I spent writing and desired to do music full-time, but I didn’t.

Had I stayed consisted with dropping music, releasing content and performing I think I’d be further along in my career. Nonetheless, I’m at peace with knowing that everything happens for a reason and God makes no mistakes. My age and experience has allowed me to navigate the industry better and I make wiser decisions compared to the younger me. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be!

Michaela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My real name is Micháela (stage name My_Kayla), I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH, but I recently relocated to Los Angeles, CA. I’ve loved all things creative since I was a kid. I wrote my first rap at age 7, which later led to a hobby of freestyling, poetry and songwriting. After obtaining my master’s degree I went on to drop my debut album The 20th Summer which was praised as “Perfection” by LA On Lock. The concept album is a grand statement about finding inspiration in the face of disappointment. The project distinguished me as a true storyteller and lyricist of this generation.

My versatility as a rapper and songwriter attracted the attention of music publishing executives leading to song placements with networks such as HBO, Disney, Amazon Prime Video, Discovery, OWN, TNT, The Food Network, Fortnite, ESPN and many more. My music also appeared in the hit Netflix films Senior Year and Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and my viral song Sonata Slay was used in trailer of the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses, which was viewed over 1 million times. My publishing partnership with BrandX Music includes a catalogue under the stage name Kaya Ka$h to which two hit albums have been produced. I’ve written for almost every genre including R&B, Gospel, Country, House, Pop, etc. and I’ve also written for major labels include Warner Chappelle, Universal Music, West One Music Group, etc.

My EP Varsity Fresh is a collection of 7-songs that utilizes a variety of approaches including a melodic rap style and the use of more uptempo trap beats. After the breakout hits, Dennis Rodman and Real Witcha, I solidified that my style is comparable to none. I recently did a freestyle for On The Radar Radio which garnered a lot of attention, as well as won TuneCore’s Live Af F*ck competition where I headlined a concert in LA and was introduced by rapper/executive Papoose.

You can find my music my music on any streaming platform under My_Kayla or by visiting www.my-kayla.com.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of my career is being able to inspire through my words. I find myself being more deliberate with the message I’m sending to my listener. Though I have party/club music, I also have inspirational songs with different subjects such as love, death, depression, helping others and not taking life for granted. To keep inspiring I’ve released protest records as well as gospel tracks. I enjoy when fans tell me a song of mine inspired them. That’s what I strive to do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to start my own record label. I have a vision of pushing myself as well as other fire artists. I currently have a publishing company that I release my sync-music through, but my label is next. I would love to one day an EGOT winner for my music abilities. I KNOW I have the potential, I just have to stay patient and keep working.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.my-kayla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_kayla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/My_Kayla216
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/my_kayla216
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ9hP_vvSQtBbGXUMO_FeA
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CzgKPddDvYFvMt7lCViHI?si=yLvbyM_lRQeHOTH5GC6Acg Apple music: https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/my-kayla/1436291492?l=en