Kyla (British singer)

Kyla
Birth nameKyla Smith
Also known asKyla Reid
Born (1983-09-22) 22 September 1983 (age 41)
Felixstowe, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active2008–present

Kyla Reid (née Smith;[1] born 22 September 1983) is a British house music singer in the UK funky subgenre.[1][2] She is best known for the song "Do You Mind" which was later sampled in Drake's 2016 international hit "One Dance".[1]

Career

Kyla featured on the Crazy Cousinz UK funky song "Do You Mind", released in 2008,[2] which peaked at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart in 2009.[3] DJ Paleface liked Kyla's voice after seeing her in a video for the song "Be What I Wanna Be".[4]

In early 2016, Kyla was first contacted by Drake's production team regarding the use of her 2008 song "Do You Mind" in a new afrobeats and dancehall-infused song with Drake and Nigerian artist Wizkid. The song, "One Dance", was quickly produced and released in early April 2016, due to fear of it being leaked, and became an international hit, reaching number 1 in the singles chart in 15 different countries, including her native UK, the US and Drake's native Canada.[1]

The success of "One Dance" allowed Kyla to reboot her career, with guest appearances in a number of 2016 British summer music festivals, including the Wireless Festival.[5] Kyla was later featured on English producer Naughty Boy's single, "Should've Been Me", which was released in November 2016 and peaked at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart. She was later featured on another single by producer Zac Samuel, "Play It Cool".[6]

Kyla released her first single as a lead artist, called "You Ain't Mine", featuring dancehall artist Popcaan, on 15 September 2017.[7]

Personal life

Kyla is married to Errol Reid (also known as DJ Paleface, one half of the Crazy Cousinz production team) and has two sons.[1][2] Kyla gave up her music career to start a family.[1] She was previously an ESL teacher.[1]

Discography

Charted singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[8]
"Do You Mind" 2008 48 Non-album single
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[8] 		AUS
[9] 		CAN
[10] 		IRE
[11] 		NZ
[12] 		US
[13]
"One Dance"
(Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla) 		2016 1 1 1 1 1 1 Views
"Should've Been Me"
(Naughty Boy featuring Popcaan and Kyla) 		61 — — 61 — — Non-album single
"Hello Mate"
(ArrDee featuring Kyla) 		2022 37 — — — — — Pier Pressure

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hogan, Marc (14 April 2016). "Drake Sampling Kyla on "One Dance" Has Already Changed Her Life". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Cliff, Aimee (14 April 2016). "Kyla: "It Was Nice Of Drake To Give Me That Step Up"". Fader. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Do You Mind by Kyla". Acharts. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  4. ^ Bradshaw, Melissa (19 February 2009). "Oi! Do You Mind? Crazy Cousinz' Kyla Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  5. ^ "British artist Kyla says Canadian rapper Drake is helping her to pay for her house". Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Zac Samuel - Play It Cool (Official Audio) ft. Kyla". YouTube. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Head To Jamaica With Kyla And Popcaan In Their "You Ain't Mine" Video". Thefader.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b "KYLA | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Discography Kyla". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Drake Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Discography Kyla". irishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Discography Kyla". charts.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Drake Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  14. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  15. ^ "British certifications – Wizkid". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 February 2024. Type Wizkid in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Drake – One Dance". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  17. ^ "American certifications – Wizkid". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  18. ^ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  19. ^ "French single certifications – Drake" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  20. ^ "British single certifications – Naughty Boy/Kyla/Popcaan – Should've Been Me". BPI. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2023.