KayO

Kay Orcel (born June 23, 1996), better known by her stage name KayO, is a hip-hop recording artist, record producer, and songwriter. She recently released her debut mixtape De Facto in June of 2015 under the independent record label Kingdomsound Music Group. The mixtape was supported by its lead single, Patience (All I Ask For), featuring 'Nyda G., a song about love and the responsibilities of being in a relationship.

Raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kay developed an interest in music growing up in a church filled with musicians and choirs. Orcel also found interest in poetry at her former school Prospect Hill Academy. At the age of 16 she started taking rapping seriously and helped form the rap group ClSQL Floetry. The group included other members by the name of Smoky B., Cocoa Slim and KayO, under her former stage name QuarteRest Legato. The group recorded several songs but ended up splitting after only releasing one song. A while after pursuing her solo career, KayO was discovered by Kingdomsound Music Group CEO David Altenor, a singer-songwriter and record producer. After signing a deal with KMG, she began recording her mixtape at David's home studio.

Kay's influences include A Tribe Called Quest, Common, The Fugees, Biggie Smalls, Mos Def, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Busta Rhymes.