Conversations with Kaylan Arnold

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylan Arnold. 

Hi Kaylan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hey 🙂 I’m Kaylan. Born in west palm beach Florida to 2 immigrant parents. I am a first gen. My mom was born in Haiti and my dad was born in Belize. Both 3rd world countries. To get right into it, I started singing once I figured out what singing was lol. My first solo performance was in kindergarten. It was a piece my kindergarten music teacher wrote for our Christmas recital. This was when my parents found out I was a singer too. footage of it is still on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufqWOr9Sto4&t=28s 

I went to a college prep private school in palm beach gardens called ‘the benjamin school’ for 14 years. I was a minority there. My mom worked hard and was never able to pick me up on time so I utilized the extra hours I had by myself in the music room to tap into the piano, drums, guitar, or whatever else I could get my hands on. I got my first guitar when I was like 13 from my older brother who went to a performing arts school. I was also in chorus, musical theatre, drama, & drumline. I used to carry my ukulele around the halls and sing for my friends. I always did pretty good in school but always knew deep down I would never use any of what I was learning because I wanted to be (and would be) an artist. John Mayer, Alicia Keys & Amy Winehouse inspired me to want to play instruments. My favorite of all time is Amy Winehouse. I love Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu as well as Andersoon Paak, Missy Elliot, Stevie Wonder & Drake. I signed my first deal in 2017 before I graduated from high school. It was a reggae Label. I got out of that deal in 2020 I think & was free and have been free since. Every song (with the exception of 1 song) I have ever been featured on/wrote has been featured in the iTunes top 100 charts in whatever genre I released it. I dropped my debut album “Hydrate” in January 2021. It charted with 0 help and very minimal promo. Since being independent I’ve played more than 10 music festivals, a huge amount of shows (I honestly lost count) & have performed in different countries/states/cities. Right now, am sitting on a finished project called “Resurface.” I plan on dropping by the end of this year or early next year. I give thanks for every blessing & will continue to tread the opposite of lightly. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has absolutely NOT been a smooth road lol. some of my struggles have include: trying to get out a 360 record deal that did not serve me at all + depreciated my mental health, being part of the LGBTQ community with Caribbean parents/as an artist/as a female artist/as a black artist, Finding funds to make things work as an artist, finding a balance between music and everyday life, being allergic to shellfish. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multi-genre artist, musician, producer, engineer, singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist. I am known for being a versatile artist. I am most proud of my ability to continuously make something out of nothing. I am also proud of a song I wrote called “DGU” because of how deeply it resonates with others. I am me, that is a separation. My calling is different than someone else’s. I may not be called to do what others are and vice versa. 

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how many talented creatives of all kind there are. Also love how easy it is to find a “move” i.e., an open mic or show or some other music event. Also love the beautiful people. The only think I don’t like about Miami is the traffic lol. and whoever gave me a parking ticket the other day – I was just tryna get some pizza I was coming right back. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylan.arnold/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialkaylanarnold
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/whoiskaylan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KaylanArnold
• Other: https://genius.com/artists/Kaylan-arnold