Kayo
Diamond In The Rough
By: Bear Frazer
Last updated April 19th , 2010

Every week, 101D.com will highlight up-and-coming talent in our exclusive Diamonds In The Rough series. This week, we proudly present Kayo. The 19-year-old "Princess of the South" is a versatile artist from the Sunshine State who sings, raps and writes all of her music. Aside from that, she is also the President of PoeEtiq Ink Enertainment, the Spokesmodel of Hip Hop National and an avid shoe collector. Yeah, her sneaker game is sick!

Background Check: There is something extraordinarily special about Kayo. It isn't necessarily her impeccable drive, gentle spirit or monstrous shoe collection (although those are contributing factors), but it's her flawless singing and rap ability. In fact, she's so on her game that she runs circles around some of today's more popular urban female artists like Kid Sister, Lil' Mama and Teyana Taylor. The self-proclaimed "Princess of the South" started singing in church choirs and at Fort Lauderdale talent shows when she was five-years-old. Ten years later, her father Al Williams helped her navigate through the industry, which resulted in Kayo entering the studio and recording her first song "3 Point Bounce." "Mean Girls" and Shoe Fetish" were soon to follow. Not only has her music hooked people (including nearly 45,000 on MySpace), but her vocals have also caught many off guard. "If there is a thing that set me apart from other rappers and singers, it's my ability to switch up using various techniques of voice delivery," Kayo explains. "For instance, in my song 'Shoe Fetish,' the hook is both me rapping and singing. A lot of people don't know that because my rapping voice and singing voice are different."

The Goods: While the "Princess Of The South" keeps busy recording a plethora of hits for an upcoming album due out in the summer, she recently partnered up with 101 Distribution to release her single "Cry Wolf." The track deviates from previous hip-hop standouts "Mean Girls" and "Shoe Fetish," as "Cry Wolf" is an infectious dance-oriented track with mass pop appeal. It's also a timeless record that mimics her real life, as the song's storyline centers on a deceitful best friend who tries hollering at Kayo's boyfriend behind her back. "I have had plenty of friends that 'Cry Wolf,' she admits. "I don't sing or rap anything that I haven't experienced or had happen to me. I don't endorse it unless I feel inspired by its truth and relevancy in my own life." Surely, this is an anthem most people, be it teenagers or grown folk, can relate to.

Shoe Fetish: Women, and a handful of men, are addicted to buying shoes and Kayo isn't any different. After all, this stylish young lady previously recorded a single entitled "Shoe Fetish" and by the sounds of it, she has an impeccable sneaker game that would put fellow addicts Fat Joe and Kim Kardashian to shame. "I have about 110 pairs of sneakers. I don't wear heels as of yet, but I own a few – they're church shoes," she confesses with a chuckle. "I'm not addicted to shoes as I am to writing music, though. I don't wait outside shoe stores when shoes [are] released. Just know I'm my own inside connect." Okay, so maybe she isn't 110% addicted to shoes. But nevertheless, Kayo has to be Lady Foot Locker's favorite customer and music artist. 



To check out or purchase "Cry Wolf," click here.

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