Label Focus: Kaya Kaya Records

We spoke with Cherish Kaya co-founder of Kaya Kaya Records about challenges faced in the industry, label origins and some of her top picks from 2020.

Photographs by Gabrielle Cooper

How did Kaya Kaya Records get started? 



Two bored friends on a beach tired of conforming and working hard for other exploitative people.  

What challenges have you faced breaking into this industry? 

Mansplaining. 

I admire that you’re both women in quite a man-heavy industry. What other women do you admire in the industry? 

Becca Gatrell publisher and label head, Amy Morgan publisher and manager, Clare James Clare manager and mother, Tanyel Vahdettin managed and fellow Turk. List goes on... 

What advice would you give for young women working in the music industry? 

Own it. Figuratively and literally! 

Which artists are you currently working with?

Our most recent release was with a new band called Lunch Money Life. 

With live events currently on hold, how have you been coping with the lack of gigs, festivals etc? 

Small socially distanced parties with friends who have great sound systems. 

I notice you previously worked with ‘Jockstrap’ who recently put out an EP with Warp. Can you tell me what it was like working with them?

Very creative. Opening up areas of our brains that were cobwebbed! Always good working with a global team rather than just two people. 

How has it been running a record label during a pandemic? 

The same. We are only small and quite picky so only work on one or two releases a year. The mechanics of releasing music are less affected than sadly the live industry. 

What are some of your favourite releases from 2020? 

Jockstrap - Wicked City

Jamie XX - idontknow

Georgia Barnes / Jessie Ware - Whats Your Pleasure 

What should we expect from Kaya Kaya Records before the end of the year?

World domination.