KAIYA's Career Highlights & Achievements

Kaiya: Guyanese Singer Making Waves on the International Reggae and Afro Pop Scene

Written By Kendesi Mohammed 

Kaiya, born Keshia Thomas in Guyana, is rapidly establishing herself as a rising star on the international Reggae and Afro Pop music scene. Her passion for music began at an early age, singing hymns in her neighborhood church choir and performing at school concerts.

After completing high school in Guyana, Kaiya relocated to Bridgetown, Barbados, where she fully committed to pursuing a professional music career. There, she received formal vocal training and immersed herself in the music industry. She has since performed with local bands in both Barbados and Guyana and gained recognition in several talent competitions.

Her debut single, “You Lost Me,” was written and recorded in Barbados and released in Guyana in March 2021. Her follow up single, “So Nice 2022,” was written by Kaiya and produced by Paradigm Audio Lab in Guyana. She also collaborated with fellow artist Esan Benzy on the single “Calling.”

Kaiya’s international acclaim continues to grow. She was nominated for Best Female Reggae Artist at the DEM ROCK MUSIC Awards in the United States in 2022. She received another nomination for Best Female Reggae Artist at the same awards in 2024 and won in that category. In 2025, she was nominated for Best Music Video of the Year and won, further solidifying her impact in the genre.

As an emerging artist, Kaiya continues to release Reggae lovers rock and Afro Caribbean music. She records with Paradigm Records Guyana and collaborates on singles with other studios, including AJ Legendary and Hardball Entertainment.

During a recent tour in Ghana, she collaborated with Samini, the first MOBO Africa Dancehall Artist Award winner, on the song “Feel the Vibe,” which was recorded and mastered by renowned producer Possigee.

Kaiya has also opened for major international acts including Capleton, Maxi Priest, Morgan Heritage, and Stonebwoy.

In addition to promoting her music, Kaiya is dedicated to putting Guyana on the map by promoting the country’s culture and heritage. Back home, she is developing several projects in Guyana, including the completion of the “Mama Guyana” video, which is set to be concluded in 2026.

With a powerful combination of talent, ambition, and cultural advocacy, Kaiya is positioning herself as a significant figure in Caribbean music, bringing Guyanese sounds to the global stage.

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Motherhood and the 2020 Re Emergence

Kaiya’s career path reflects the lived reality of many female artists, a journey marked by pauses, sacrifice, growth, and powerful returns. Stepping away from the spotlight to embrace motherhood, she chose family first. When she returned, she did so with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose that reshaped her artistry.

“You Lost Me”

In March 2020, Kaiya released her debut single “You Lost Me,” a record that symbolized both personal evolution and geographic connection. Recorded in Barbados and released in Guyana, the single bridged her two homes and introduced audiences to a voice grounded in experience and emotional maturity. It was not just a comeback, it was a statement.

Love Potion EP

Her subsequent releases, including the Love Potion EP, further established her as an artist capable of setting the tone in the competitive Afrobeat space. The project showcased versatility, confidence, and a refined sound that blended Caribbean influence with contemporary rhythm. With each release, Kaiya demonstrated that her hiatus had not diminished her edge. It had sharpened it.

Global Recognition

In 2023, her artistry received formal recognition when she secured the DemRoc Music Award for Best Reggae Artist. The honor underscored her range and reinforced her position as a dynamic voice capable of moving between Afrobeat and reggae with ease.

Kaiya’s story is not simply about returning to music. It is about growth, resilience, and redefining success on her own terms.