Meet Ky La’Vey | Music Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ky La’Vey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ky, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I love music so much! When I was younger, I dreamt of pursuing music but in the early 2000s, most adults then still didn’t see music as a thing people successfully do. I have looked into things like architecture, robotic science, and even teaching when I was young realizing that those things, while interesting, never hold my interest the way music did. I live to create, to learn more about music, to hear new genres and play with them, and to learn new skills in the business of music. It was that realization that made me take note that music was my one constant. No matter how hard this career gets, I can never convince myself to give up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I use my art to have the tough conversations. I have tackled depression many times but with my latest project “He is Valued”, I took it a step further. I wanted to create an album that talked about the stages of grief (denial, isolation, etc.) and I used meh story of finding out I was HIV+ to express this. This album made me realize that some of these feelings, while the story was from 2018, were feelings even I had not fully worked through. Trying to make sure I’m fully open to sharing my story while also working through those feelings was both tough and therapeutic. I hope that people hear this record and find the words to talk about grief and even start conversations about sexual health and HIV especially in black communities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
With Raleigh, there’s always something to do. Barcade would definitely be a stop we would have to make. Bittersweet would be the bar we would have to go to for a good drink and a great treat! Morgan Street Food Hall would be dinner so everyone could choose their food (CowBar me any day!). While there, I was sign us up for some Axe throwing with Epic Axe. Nothing like good food, good games, drinks, and great laughs!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to God. A queer man living with HIV, you would think I would take this somewhere else. I, however, know I am nothing with God. He blessed me with talents that even continue to manifest before me to this day. I don’t make gospel music but I pray about my messages and my music. He’s always number 1. I also want to shoutout the home team, The Aguille Collective. A group of artist in different parts of North America pursuing similar dreams and helping push each other. We are compromised of myself, T-Bell in Toronto, Roli Reid in California, Girl on the Rocks in Staten Island, and M.E., Drew Drake, Expjosé and Dj Pfysical in New York. I definitely suggest you tap in with us and all of the great things coming!

Website: https://kylaveymusic.univer.se

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyLaveyMusic

Image Credits
Kyree Harris (self)