Today, we’ve got a double dose from Caribbean expat Kayo Guevarra, a talented melodic rapper who’s been steady grinding since relocating to Canada. Ahead of his Yonge & Dundas performance at Manifesto Vol. 9, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of his brand new EP Nowhere, as well as the visual for its latest single, “Nagato,” featuring Kardinal Offishall.
Born and raised in St. Lucia, Kayo’s inevitable move to Halifax landed him an ally in East Coast hero Classified. After immersing himself in the Nova Scotia hip-hop scene, Classified signed Kayo to a production deal on his imprint, Half Life Records, which led to a licensing deal with EMI Music Canada. The next chapter saw him relocating to Toronto, where he’s been prepping the release of Nowhere, a four song EP featuring YogiDaProducer's hard-hitting hip-hop production filtered through a Caribbean lens. Nowhere is overflowing with polished hooks, high energy bars, and a distinct sound that can only be attributed to Kayo splitting his time between St. Lucia and the 6. Imagine the dark, aggressive, industrial rap that characterizes Toronto, and infuse it with the raw energy and inflection of the dancehall, soca, and reggae popular in his birthplace, and you're not far off.
“I moved to Toronto about a year ago, and being in this city has come with all the ups and downs you could imagine, both artistically and holistically,” Kayo told Complex. “These experiences have all helped me to grow, and this EP is a showcase of that growth.”
Working with Kardinal Offishall is a career highlight for Kayo, and a trip to St. Lucia for the “Nagato” video shoot solidified a creative relationship between the two. “We got to take him to all the spots we would go to growing up, and allow him to experience the culture of the island from a genuine perspective. I even got to take him to the house I grew up in. I think that trip really strengthened the relationship. He’s someone I can now consider a friend and a mentor. I’ve learned so much from him already.”
Check out the video for “Nagato” below, and keep scrolling for your first look at the Nowhere EP. Catch Kayo performing at Manifesto’s Yonge & Dundas Square takeover on Saturday, September 19th, alongside Melanie Fiona, Airplane Boys, John River, Junia-T, and more.
