Kaya Byinshii

Kaya's professional music career took off in 2018, following her time in a university band and subsequent solo performances that helped her build confidence and develop her sound. Her music blends soul, blues, and traditional influences, moving across genres rather than staying in one.

 

This explorative way with music creates a fusion that's distinctly her own, drawing from diverse musical backgrounds and personal experiences. Her debut project, an EP titled Nyabyinshi, was released in 2020, introducing her as a powerful new voice in the music industry. The EP's title draws inspiration from Nyabyinshi, a spiritual power figure known for guidance, fitting with Kaya's creative identity. The project established her introspective songwriting method, where personal narratives become universal themes that listeners can recognise in their own lives. Since her debut, Kaya has continued developing her sound through experimentation with different sonic textures and emotional landscapes.

 

Since her debut, Kaya has continued developing her sound through experimentation with different sonic textures and emotional landscapes. She treats each song as an opportunity to explore new territory, whether incorporating traditional instruments into contemporary arrangements or layering complex vocal harmonies over minimalist production. In 2025, she founded Live Nyinshii, a live music series creating intentional space for artists to perform on their own terms, where she performs alongside invited guests in a setting free from commercial venue constraints. Her work resists easy categorisation, moving fluidly between intimate ballads and beat-driven pieces that showcase her versatility as both vocalist and songwriter.