The first thing noticeable about Kayla Neilson, better known as KLA (pronounced “Kayla”), is her unwavering certainty about her path.

Sharing her journey in the music industry with Nounouche, the 30-year-old artist speaks with the kind of clarity that comes from years of self-discovery, young starts, and ultimately, finding her authentic voice.

“I’ve tried everything else. I’ve tried to get a job. I’ve tried to try other stuff, and it just doesn’t work for me because that’s not what I want,” she says. “It’s not part of, I think, my makeup.”

That makeup has been musical from the very beginning.

Born and raised in Johannesburg, KLA’s artistic inclinations weren’t just encouraged, they were inevitable. “My family always told me that since I was young, I’d be singing around the house and performing, dressing in all my clothes, doing Michael Jackson stuff,” she recalls. The musical gene runs deep; her grandfather was in a band, making music a generational thread woven through her identity.

By age 12, KLA was already testing the waters of the entertainment industry, participating in school shows, talent competitions, and TV auditions. Her first professional audition was for KTV, and she threw herself into commercial modelling and pageants with the same enthusiasm she brought to music. “All the talent shows I could do, as much as possible, I did that. I just participated in everything that had to do with the arts.”

The School of Hard Knocks

Those early experiences in the industry became KLA’s informal education in resilience. “I didn’t get everything that I auditioned for; some were no, some were yes, and that really helped me realise that sometimes a no is not really a no,” she explains. “It’s not really saying ‘you can’t do this, this is not for you,’ it’s just about going back and really figuring out what your strengths are, what you can work on, what you can do better at.”

This philosophy would prove crucial as KLA navigated the challenging waters of being an independent artist. She dropped her first single in 2012 at 18, but the road wasn’t linear. “Being independent in the beginning was difficult because, as an independent artist, you don’t have all the resources that you wish you did,” she admits. “I’m so creative, and I just want to do so much all the time, but I wasn’t really able to get there.”

The frustration led to a creative crossroads, and KLA took a deliberate break from music to “figure out really what I want to do as an artist, who I am, my message, my brand, everything.” During this period, she diversified her creative pursuits, including entering the Miss South Africa pageant in 2020 and eventually making it to the top 35, an experience that reinforced her values and clarified her message.

“It really helped me know that this is what I stand for, whether it’s the platform of Miss SA or whether it’s being in music,” she reflects.

Finding Her Sound

When KLA returned to music, she did so with a clearer sense of self and sound. She describes her musical style as having “R&B and pop” as its baseline, with “some elements of Afro-pop” included throughout. “I really love a good anthemic, very catchy hook, and then I play around with the beats a lot,” she explains. Her influences tell the story of an artist who values both musical sophistication and timeless appeal. She cites Sade as a major inspiration, “I love her musicality”, alongside Beyoncé and Aaliyah. “Their beauty is so timeless and natural and soft and feminine, and they taught me how to command a stage powerfully and confidently.”

The result is music that feels both globally accessible and deeply personal. Her latest single, “In My Way,” exemplifies this balance. “It’s just showing people that you can take initiative in your own life, and you don’t need to be stuck in a relationship that’s not working,” she explains. “Most of the time it’s not even about an issue or anything toxic, it’s really just not working.”

The Power of Connection

What sets KLA apart in an oversaturated musical landscape is her commitment to being emotionally authentic. “I’m quite emotional and very empathetic, so I enjoy when people feel something,” she says. “I just love to connect with you emotionally, and I think that’s what keeps me staying relevant and reinventing myself all the time.

“This emotional intelligence extends to her understanding of her audience and her role as an artist. When asked what she hopes listeners take from her music, her answer is immediate: “The main thing I want people to feel is motivation, no matter what that is.” She continues, “Just keep going no matter what. There’s another chance, and just work on your resilience and your confidence, and feel powerful when you want to, feel sexy when you need to, feel vulnerable when you need to.”

The Village That Builds a Star

Success in the entertainment industry is rarely a solo journey, and KLA quickly and gratefully acknowledges her support system. “I couldn’t be more blessed than I am. I’ve got such amazing friends, they support me in so many ways, my family as well,” she says, describing help that ranges from practical assistance with outfits and social media to emotional support during moments of doubt.

“Some days, just like any other human being, you doubt yourself when things get tough, and you’re just like, I want this to work so bad, but it’s not gonna happen overnight,” she admits. “And they’re there to just always let you know that you’re on the right track and keep going.”

Looking Forward

As KLA prepares for the next phase of her career, with an EP planned for release by year end and more singles in the pipeline, her ambitions remain as clear as they were when she was 12 years old, dressing up and performing Michael Jackson routines in her childhood home.

“My plan has always been to just take up so much space,” she says with determination. “I just really want to be the entertainer and the superstar that I’ve planned to be from such a young age, and I feel like I’m getting closer to that. So I just really hope to be on huge stages, in stadiums, and on TV screens and radios all over the world.”

Her advice to young artists reflects the lessons she’s learned from her own journey: “Stick to your values. Don’t let anyone lead you astray. There’s no trade exchange when it comes to your dreams.”

In an industry that often rewards conformity, KLA’s commitment to authenticity feels both radical and necessary. She’s not just making music; she’s crafting a career built on the foundation of emotional truth and artistic integrity, qualities that seem increasingly rare and infinitely valuable.

“You really just need to push and understand and believe in who you are,” she says. “And your gut will tell you. You always follow your gut as well.”

For KLA, following her gut has led her home to music, time and again. Now, with the clarity that comes from years of exploration and growth, she’s ready to claim the space she’s always known was hers.