“I don’t feel pressure to change myself, I’m here because I am myself.” LU KALA
 
Every once and a while an artist appears who is destined to break the mold, LU KALA a is one of them. The fiery voiced songstress—with signature orange hair to match—is redefining what a pop star sounds and looks like.
 
Despite success as a songwriter, behind the lyrics was a voice waiting to be released, a voice that didn’t conform to the “black girl“ R&B vocal style producers assumed they’d hear. Instead her sound—raw, intensely emotive and mercurial with an ability to lean into dance, R&B, rock, soul and pop, at will—defied it. Unwilling to vocally bend herself into the box black female performers are expected to exist in, KALA has embraced her distinctive sound, transforming her trajectory as an artist and a woman in the process.

Since, she’s released her debut single, “DCMO (Don’t Count Me Out).”  The self-empowered pop anthem disarms with frank and deeply vulnerable lyrics. KALA describes the writing process as one that pushed her into emotional spaces she hadn’t allowed herself to go before. And its inspired her to begin telling the stories she didn’t realize she needed to tell. 

With the upcoming release of her debut EP, KALA continues venturing into emotional places few dare to go—on or off record. Unflinching in its tales of personal, hard-earned lessons in love. Romantic disillusionment, identity and self-worth are all laid-bare with breathtaking, unapologetic power.

. imagination is key, and i know how to unlock it . 

                     | 🇵🇭🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 . ✨🕊| ll | 


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Toronto's Leila Dey, has been pursuing her dream with persistence and lustre. With musicality embedded in her familial roots, Leila's talent was ingrained in her veins. Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, Leila enhanced her talent and skills by collaborating with various local artists. After being introduced to the urban music scene, her reputation began to expand and blossom. Upon graduating from one of Toronto’s most respected universities with a double major and honours, Leila turned down a huge opportunity in her field of study, and dedicated herself to pursue and achieve success as an artist. Today, Leila is known for lending her smooth textured vocals to artists such as Vybez Kartel, Joel Ortiz, King Reign and Redway. She also performed at festivals like Luminato, Manifesto, and Harbourfront Centre and did interviews with Vibe105.5 and G98.7. 

After battling the devastating loss of her sister in late 2015, Leila transformed her thoughts and emotions into her craft, and put her heart, mind and soul into music. In July of 2016 her single ‘Vibe’ was released featuring Hakeem Roze which received over 20,000 plays on SoundCloud and also gets airtime on mainstream radio in Toronto. 

February 13th 2017 marked the release of Leila's best work yet. Black Bouquet an incredible EP that tells a story of a girl who gets the love she's yearned for and then loses it all. It's told through Leila's sometimes sultry but always smooth and soulful vocals. While recording this EP, Leila starred in her debut film titled ‘Sweetheart,’ written and directed by Martha McGrath. The film, scored with tracks from Black Bouquet, won Best Short Film at its debut screening at the Canadian Diversity Film Festival on June 30, 2018. Leila was then selected as a semi-finalist for Best Actress for the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards. Leila Dey’s shyness and timid personality transform while performing, and her voice brings everything to life, beautiful in every way and hoping to inspire others.

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