Exclusive Interview with CAYZee

Caleb Myles, known by his stage name CAYZee, is a burgeoning pop artist whose journey began in his home country four years ago. Initially focused on afrobeats, Caleb released a series of singles and an EP, quickly gaining attention for his fresh sound. However, a relocation to the UK inspired a complete artistic rebrand. Embracing a new start, Caleb took down his previous works and re-emerged as CAYZee, a name derived from his initials. Today, he seamlessly blends afrobeats, afropop, afro-soul, pop, and R&B, creating a fusion that reflects both his rich musical palette and drive to appeal to a broad range of listeners. Check out the exclusive Interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

CAYZee: I am a Ghanaian from the western part of Africa. It all started during the COVID season precisely from March 2020 to August. During this period, I wrote most of my songs. I used to go to my younger brother and would ask him to listen to the songs I had written, and he would always say to me: “Go to the studio and record and stop disturbing us “. So, I decided to go to a studio on my return back to school as due to COVID, schools had closed down.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

CAYZee: I am self-taught. I had always loved singing but never thought I would actually make it a career. People close to me used to criticize me all the time saying I had a bad voice though I didn’t let that faze me, I used to sing for hours, and I guess that irritated them a lot hence why they kept criticizing me hoping I’d give up singing.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘CAYZee?

CAYZee: When it comes to Afro, I’d say Kidi, and when it comes to pop, I’d say Shawn Mendes. I used to go by the name Yaw Caleb however, when I thought of rebranding myself, I decided to have a new name as well. So, I thought of using my initials hence the name CAYZEE.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

CAYZee: Love and heartbreak. I mostly sing about love, romance, and heartbreaks. Personally, I love emotional songs, I love songs that are able to evoke emotions in the heart of their listeners and in my music, I try to do the same.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

CAYZee: I’ve had to learn from various artists all over the world ranging from afrobeat stars to pop stars. Coming from Ghana, everyone aspiring to be an artist had to be doing afro or high-life music, However, I wasn’t content doing only afro. I love doing afro songs, but I knew, I could do more. I wanted to do pop in addition to doing afrobeat not only due to my personal taste but also with the aim of reaching a wider audience doing music I love and not be limited by genre. I felt, I might be limited doing only afro hence my transition into pop. Though I haven’t received any formal training, I have in fact gotten pointers from a few people and those pointers helped my development as an artist and music maker.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

CAYZee: Currently, I do music purely for entertainment and that is the direction I intend for my art.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

CAYZee:

Having just begun my journey as an artist, I do have lots of expectations but for now, I am hoping to build a huge fanbase. All the same, being able to do music alone brings joy to my heart and I know that as long as I keep working hard, I’d be able to accomplish all that I have set in my heart.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

CAYZee: Mostly, I start with writing the lyrics. As I stated earlier, about 70% of my songs were written during COVID. Writing the lyrics can either start with a narrative in mind as in the case with my song, “what more can I say” and sometimes too, a sudden inspiration while doing something else or listening to another song as in the case with my song, “Treat You Right”.

After the lyrics, I get my friends to help me with producing the music.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

CAYZee: Not having enough financial aid to bring my musical ideas to life.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

CAYZee: I felt really proud when I was able to successfully mix and master my songs having not received any formal training and having to figure everything out on my own obviously after several tries and learning.

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

CAYZee: I have had to face criticism all the time since I decided to do music mostly from those close to me. As an artist, I strive to be better, to sing better, to write better songs. Criticism is one way to know my shortcomings that I might have overlooked. Of course, not forgetting that some people criticize for the wrong reasons and to such criticism, I simply overlook.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

CAYZee: I haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience interaction with a live audience, however working in a studio or home environment is pretty exciting to me. I love the process of making music, trying to figure things out and finally coming out with something spectacular is just so exciting that I can never get enough of it.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

CAYZee: In some cases, I would want my fans to know and understand the real story and message driving a song, however not to every song I make. Sometimes, I think it’s best for everyone to interpret the song in their own personal way.