Nashville native turned LA local Dela Kay released her first single of 2021, “The Worst Part,” Friday, December 10th. Ending her brief hiatus from music, the single debuts a new, darker sound she found after spending time rediscovering herself during the global covid-19 pandemic. We got to speak with Dela Kay about the song’s meaning, the writing process and lots more. Check out our conversation below.  

What can you tell us about your single, “The Worst Part”?

Dela Kay (DK): This song means so much to me for many reasons. When I officially moved to LA in 2019, I ended up in a relationship with someone and suffered narcissistic abuse. After that breakup, I spent the entirety of the pandemic during 2020 rediscovering myself and healing. Really learning to love myself again and figure out who I really am alone, what makes me happy, and how I want to live my life. Once I was in a better place I then entered into yet another relationship with someone in the spring of 2021. That relationship triggered the most vulnerable parts of me that I had been healing, and that’s how “The Worst Part” came to be written. I felt like all of the old feelings I thought I had fully healed came up once again and dating felt like a brand new experience. I sat down with my friend Rikki Randall on my balcony in North Hollywood, and we instantly wrote the song.

The song is about overthinking, people-pleasing, and fear of abandonment. It’s also about being scared to be vulnerable with someone, and by doing so, realizing that the fear of being vulnerable can keep you from seeing/ experiencing the love your partner is trying to give you. I feel like a lot of people can relate to this song. We all want to be loved and accepted for who we are, flaws and all. And sometimes we push people away because we think we need to protect ourselves when in reality all we want is to be loved and protected and get to experience the wonderful joys of falling in love. It’s really hard to let people in after being hurt, but there’s always beauty in pain, and sun after rain.

This was the first song written since my last release that was in this new alternative style and was the beginning mark of me starting this brand new journey musically. I love how the production is energetic, raw, and in your face. The song itself is so vulnerable and I wanted the production to really make you feel as though you were caught up in your head and I feel like that was executed perfectly. I’m super happy with how everything turned out!

Did you always know that music was something you wanted to pursue?

DK: Absolutely! From a very young age, I would listen and watch my mother sing and play the piano around our household. Both of my parents met doing professional musical theatre, and I ended up following suit, pursuing musical theatre from age 9 to 23. I always wrote songs and played music for fun, but it wasn’t until I moved back to Nashville from Chicago after college, that I really began to start pursuing my music career professionally. Shortly after moving back, I met a producer, Femke Weidema, who helped me develop my artist project as Dela Kay, and from there it took off!

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

DK: Your Spotify numbers don’t dictate your worth or your talent. Just because some of your friends or peers may be at a different point in their journey, doesn’t mean you are failing if you aren’t necessarily where they are. Support your friends and peers but also acknowledge your uniqueness. Only you can do what you do, and people like good music. Focus on making good art, being authentic and true to who you are and the rest will take care of itself. Also, consistency is key. Even if you think you can’t put out music or play a show because you “aren’t ready yet”.. people want realness and they enjoy seeing your journey and transformation. Let people in on your journey and don’t stop moving. Keep exploring and trying new things, even if you fail. Just make sure to pick yourself back up and try again. 

What is your favorite song to perform live?

DK: When I was writing and performing more of my pop/deep house style tracks, I would say “All My Love” and “Deep Love” were two of my favorites to perform live. They just have a very upbeat, energetic feel and I love to vibe out and move around the stage quite a bit. It’s always super fun. However, I do have to say now that I’m making a full rebrand and my genre is more alt/pop, I look forward to performing “The Worst Part” live and feel like it’s going to be my favorite. The production definitely gives the song more of a live feel, helping listeners to imagine what it would be like to see live. So I’m very excited about that one.

Can you describe your creative process when you’re writing new music?

DK: Every time I write a song it’s different. I would say most times, it’s just me and a piano or guitar, messing around with melodies. I may have a lyric or two stuck in my head, and I’ll rush to grab my phone and voice memo it. And after coming back to those voice memos a few more times, I’m usually able to put a song together, whether it’s on my own, or taking them into co-writes with other writers, like my friends Rikki Randall or CUJA, who helped me write this new single. I like working alone sometimes, but I’m more of a fan of collaborating with others. I feel like you always can get something really special with other people in the room, and in my case, people who love and support me, and know me really well.

What has been the best advice someone has given you about music?

DK: Be your authentic self, say what you feel, and focus on making great art. Once you do that, everything will fall into place. Your vision and uniqueness make your art special. The minute you start trying to chase success and numbers, you fall into a messed up game everyone’s trying to play where you only continue a cycle of not making what you “think” people want. Numbers don’t matter as much as creating something real and relatable. The best thing you can do is be vulnerable with your audience.

Which musician(s) would you like to collaborate with in the future?

KM: I would love to collaborate with artists like Julia Michaels, Billie Eilish, Holly Humberstone, Miley Cyrus, UPSAHL, Olivia Rodrigo, WILLOW, Avril Lavigne, Carlie Hanson, girl in red, and Del Water Gap to name a few I really dig recently. 

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