Our guests for this month's Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw.

Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight, Kye continues to inspire creativity and community growth.

Jody Upshaw is a radiant force of emotional truth and feminine power whose brand essence lives at the intersection of beauty and battle, vulnerability and victory. With every lyric, every look, every live moment, she creates a space for women to rise, release, and reclaim their power.

From her single being featured on the hit HBO series Euphoria to being named Music Nova Scotia's 2022 Artist in Residence. earning multiple East Coast Music Award nominations, and taking home the African Nova Scotian Music Association's Rising Star Award, Jody has captivated audiences with her signature blend of raw vulnerability and ethereal glamour. Jody embodies liberation through art. Her mantra to #FreeTheGirls from toxic narratives and limiting beliefs isn't just personal - it's communal.

Beyond her artistry, Jody is passionate about empowering the next generation of musicians, particularly within the African Nova Scotian community. She envisions using her industry experience and authentic understanding of the creative process to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and professional development support to emerging artists navigating their own journeys toward artistic and commercial success.

It was a pleasure hosting Kye and Jody in part 1 of their episode!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Kye and Jody

02:54 - Planting seeds for the next generation

03:30 - Jody's early grind & family influence

06:40 - Representation, radio, and Nova Scotia pride

12:20 - Kye's path from hoops to hip-hop

13:42 - First songs, LDN collective & DIY come-up

19:10 - Grief, growth & taking music seriously

20:01 - From high school buzz to real momentum

25:01 - Writing, freestyling & creative process

28:14 - Choosing the positive path

31:34 - Jody's sound, R&B lane & "Free the Girls"

37:02 - Collaboration, confidence & beating imposter syndrome

44:22 - Creating for yourself vs. your audience

47:45 - Outro, contests & community