An Interview With The Newcomer Rapper CAYE On His Recently Released Debut Album, Biggest Inspirations and More!

Meet the LA-based musician, Caye!

His debut album Pink Tree Paradise was recently released on June 1^st. The songs found on this collection experiments with the fusion of multiple music genres; hip-hop, reggae and jazz. On the  single “Easy,” Caye collaborated with Wiz Khalifa.

Caye plans to perform alongside headliners Summer Jam and Post Malone at a tour stop in Boston in August for Summer Jam 2018, presented by JAM’N 94.5. Earlier this spring, the rapper opened for singer-songwriter Somo on his “The Reservations Tour.”

During Caye’s time at USC Thornton School of Music’s Pop Music Program, he quickly created a buzz for himself, catapulting his 2016 break-through self-produced single “Coma” to over 5 million Spotify streams.

Learn more about Caye in the following All Access interview:

Where does this interview find you now? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

I’m currently on a plane back to Los Angeles from Boston. When I land, I’m heading back to my house to hit the studio for a few hours.

Overall, how do you think 2018 has been treating you and your music career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it?

2018 has been my most productive year so far. My debut album Pink Tree Paradise was released on June 1st.

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience?

Music was always a big part of my life. Growing up, my parents were always playing music around the house. They played music by Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, and more.

I started playing classical piano at the age of 3, switched to drums around 10, and then started producing and playing the steel pan at the age of 14. I started singing and writing songs when I was 16.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today in Los Angeles? If you don’t think that it has affected you at all, why is that?

Where I live definitely affects my music. Whether it be living in Boston, LA, or a different city every night while on tour. Everything has an impact on my music: who I surround myself with, what the weather is like, what my schedule is like; it all contributes.

On June 1st, you put your debut full length album called “Pink Tree Paradise.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

I was definitely ready for this album to come out. “Pink Tree Paradise” has been in the works for a long time, and has actually been finished for quite a while. Putting the collection of music together was a very tedious process. My producer Dawgus and I chose each song very carefully, from a catalog of about 70 songs we had written over the past 2 years. We wanted to make sure each song had a unique feel, while still holding true and contributing to the overriding sound of the album.

What was the inspiration for your single “Easy”? What was it like working with Wiz Khalifa on it? How did that collaboration come to be?

Easy is about this girl that I was in love with. She lives in another country so we’re currently on a break, but the song is all about my feelings for her and what its like to be in love. Working with wiz was a really cool experience. He’s a very chill dude and I was surprised at how open he was to my suggestions and changes. My manager introduced us just over a year ago in the studio. That night we smoked up, chilled and played our new music for each other. 6 months later, we went back to the studio. Dawgus and I played Easy for him and he loved it. He was on the second verse by the next morning.

If you had all the time and money to shoot your dream music video for one of the songs on this album, which song would it be and what would the video be like?

I would shoot it for Easy. You’ll see soon 😉

How would you say that you have grown as an artist since you first starting making music?

I’m constantly growing as an artist. Everyday I learn new things about writing music. I’m always being influenced by new inspirations, experiencing different moods, and discovering different types of music and sound.

What do you think makes for an ideal show for you? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far? How was your tour this spring with Somo? Do you have any upcoming shows this summer?

Anderson Paak is an incredible performer. He has a band backing him and he plays the drums all while vocally performing his songs. I aspire to bring that level of skill to the stage one day. The tour with Somo was amazing. Being on the road for 2 straight months was mad fun and gave me tons of inspiration. We have a bunch of shows coming up this summer, including Summer Jam in Boston on August 2nd.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

I’ve always wanted my music to help take people’s minds off what’s going on in the world. There are so many terrible and controversial things going on and I think It’s important to take time to relax and free your mind. Eventually, I’d like to use my platform to promote peace and help fix what’s going on.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all?

I really enjoy taking time away from my phone so keeping up with social media is something that I’ve definitely struggled with a lot with over the years. A lot of effort goes into managing my accounts but thankfully I have a team of people there to help me.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Bob Marley, Chance the rapper, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Sting, Michael Jackson, and Sade.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you?

I would take a guitar with me.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I’d love to have my music in a superhero movie like Batman.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

I hope that when my fans listen to my music they can forget about the worlds issues and the stresses in their individual lives for a few minutes and simply enjoy the moment.

Where can our readers connect with you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecayelife/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Caye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CayeOfficial/?ref=bookmarks

Website: https://www.thecayelife.com

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/caye-20