Meet Kayci Amour

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayci Amour. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kayci, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I grew up in the Church, learning harmonies and just the overall presence in/of the sound of music. I started singing at the age of 3 when I heard Whitney Houston’s voice for the first time. I actually don’t remember what song it was, but it was either I Will Always Love You, or a song from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. I was riding in the backseat of a car and when I heard her voice I just remember saying “who is this?”. Then I was locked in. I wanted all things, Whitney Houston. I had a little mermaid tape player and I played The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack out until the tape didn’t work anymore.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I started vocal and piano lessons I believe at the age of 8 (Hampton, Va) with the late great Gerri Hollins (Jazz-Opera Vocalist/Instructor). She put on shows and plays (musicals) with the children under her tutelage (The Hampton Apple Tree Club House/HATCH). I continued on through grade school joining chorus ensembles, band (I’m also a drummer), and Music Honor Societies within the schools I attended. I started studio recordings of my own music at the age of 19, signed under a label (Double S Records). I learned so much about the ins and outs of the music business during that time, how to release your music, make sure it’s protected etc. I started my journey as an independent artist in 2018, releasing my first album entitled “The Reconstruction”(2019) The funny thing is I struggled with stage fright most of my childhood and early adult years, so starting my professional career, I really only wanted to be a part of it to produce and write songs for others. As God would have it, people weren’t taking no for an answer when it came to me sharing my voice a little more often. So, when it comes to my first independent project, I often state that I literally dropped the project “just to showcase my pen”. It did that as well. I’ve collaborated with multiple artists, and I’ve written a few things for other artists. I worked at a music academy for a year pre-pandemic teaching drum and vocal lessons. I just really have a heart for the community that music brings. The Journey, the experiences it brings. I really love uplifting and helping others. Bringing a smile to someone’s face. Even keeping a person here that may be thinking about wanting to take their own life. My song “World’s Apart” (also on The Reconstruction), aired on Sway in The Morning’s “put em in the game” segment in 2019. I got so many messages from people telling me how that song helped them through some things. It’s just one of the most heart filling things to experience. You get back all that you put into your artistry, especially as an independent artist when you begin to feel like your music is reaching people for the reasons you want it to. My latest single is called “In The Light”. (Released Jan 28th) It was inspired by some recent happenings in my life, and it’s about the journey of love in all aspects of love, family, platonic or otherwise. Most importantly, it’s about the journey of self-love and how the whole experience ultimately will bring u back to SELF.. The light within.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Patience: In any dream, goal we have for ourselves in my personal journey I’ve come to the conclusion that often times being human it’s like: “this is what I want, and this is how I’m going to do it. This is how I’m going to get there.” It almost never happens the way one can map something out. Life happens in between. You make mistakes, cut corners. You lose big and you also win big. I feel like if you set a goal for yourself, give yourself grace in that journey, don’t try to control the outcomes too much, let it flow.

Resilience: “And If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again” – Aaliyah

Study/Research: I always say I’m a student first, teacher second. I’m still learning every day. As an independent artist there are so many nooks and crannies as far as things you may have to handle. For now, I literally am the engine that moves the machine of “Kayci Amour”. Some things I know how to do. When I don’t, I look into it and/or ask for help.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My father recently passed in October. So, my newest single “In The Light” gives wind to releasing him in the physical realm and experiencing the love he gave me and so many others. He is a noted historian (William B. Wiggins), and he’s a big part of my love for music. I get a lot of my old soul from him. Jazz, Funk…oldies…there are so many songs I know because of my dad. Stevie Wonder is one of my favorites. That’s all him. He also played the trumpet and the snare. He fueled and supported my passion and knowledge of music.

My mother had a sorority, fraternity, embroidery shop (Creations By Margo Lynn) open in the Hampton Roads area for 28 years. So, I grew up learning so many things. How to sew, start embroidery machines, fix broken needles in the machine, do inventory, how to press shirts on a heat seal machine, how to use a cash register/credit card machine etc. She taught me the character in tenacity and literally what it looks like to build a life around your calling.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Motionz By Monet
Lex Editz

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