At just 20 years old, Chayuta—born Layla Mpho Mokoena—is already carving out a niche in the music industry with her electrifying blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and Amapiano. Her latest single, “Getaway,” is a pulsating anthem for the free-spirited, a track that invites listeners to break free from the mundane and take on an exhilarating musical adventure. Born to a South African father and a Dutch/Ghanaian mother, Chayuta’s diverse heritage is the cornerstone of her captivating sound. Her life has been a symphony of cultural influences, with her formative years spent between Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and South Africa. This global upbringing has endowed her with a unique perspective that she seamlessly infuses into her music.
“Getaway” is more than just a song; it’s an experience. With city life pulsating in the background and lights dancing on the surface, the track encapsulates the essence of nocturnal liberation. Chayuta’s soulful voice and the hypnotic beats beckon listeners to join her on a long ride through the city, cruising under the starlit sky and feeling the loneliness dissipate with each note. The chorus, a chant for freedom, echoes the universal desire to break away and find solace in the music. Adding to the excitement, Chayuta released a remix of “Getaway,” further elevating the track’s infectious energy. The remix brings a fresh twist to the original, blending new rhythms and enhancing the overall vibe, making it an instant hit on dance floors worldwide.
In our upcoming #LAMag issue, we dive into Chayuta’s world, uncovering the stories behind her music, her journey, and the influences shaping her artistry. While you are tuned for an exclusive glimpse into her life, here’s a little pre #LAChats conversation speaking about her single “Getaway”, its remix and some of her other interests.
Getaway and Getaway Remix
You’ve released Getaway this year and blessed us with a remixed version. What inspired the track?
[CHAYUTA]: The core message in Getaway is that it is important and ok to sometimes just want to take a break from your daily life and routine. In the song I even say that it doesn’t mean you have to go somewhere far, you can just decide to switch off and relax and clear your head. When I was writing the lyrics, I was really just thinking about how long it had been since I had a break and I just wanted a nice holiday so I ended up literally writing about that. It seems like it is an important message I sang about because it brings out a lot in my fans. So many people have said that after listening to it, they feel that they all need a break and a getaway and they can’t wait to go on a holiday and relax and vibe to my song which is amazing because that’s exactly the message I was trying to bring across with my lyrics.
You worked with DJ Mensah and Jabs on the Amapiano version of Getaway. How did this collaboration come about and how do you feel both DJs elevated the remix?
[CHAYUTA]: We released Getaway just a few days before I travelled to SA on a media tour to promote the song and when we got to SA people really loved the song. Of course, in SA I met a lot of producers and artists and it gave me some Amapiano vibes so as soon as we got back Jabs and I were talking and we just said let’s do a remix. Then Mensah heard it and said he wanted to jump on it as well and here we are.
Life Outside Music
What’s your favourite place you’ve travelled to and why? Are there any places you haven’t been to yet that you dream of visiting?
[CHAYUTA]: Right now I would say my favourite place is Mauritius. It was just a dream and one of the most beautiful places I have visited so far. The island, the nature, the people, the food everything was just amazing. I would love to visit Singapore for the Architecture and shopping and Bali to shoot amazing content in the near future.
What’s your favourite dish or type of cuisine? Do you enjoy cooking, and if so, what do you like to make?
[CHAYUTA]: SUSHI is my favourite food, no doubt about that. I love my African food, banku, kenkey, fufu from Ghana and pap from SA but sushi is just it for me. My favourite snack is Biltong though. I literally bring a suitcase full when I come back from SA. I live with my grandma and she is an amazing cook so I love spending time with her in the kitchen and learning how to cook and bake from her.
How do you care for your mental and physical well-being, especially with the demands of your career?
[CHAYUTA]: I work out a lot in my gym which has a positive effect on my mind and body and of course it is important for me as a musician for my stamina. After a long day in the studio, I will just call a few friends and say let’s just go out and have fun to relax. In that way I can switch off for a little bit and after that I can hit the studio again for hours.
How would you describe your personal style, and do you have any fashion icons?
[CHAYUTA]: My style can be described as sporty chic. I love baggy pants with crop tops and heels so it’s still feminine but fun and young. But I also love my sneakers. So to keep it still feminine I would pair a dress with sneakers. I also love accessories to spice out my outfits. My style icon is definitely Rihanna, she can never go wrong. I love how her style has evolved over the years. She is like the most stylish mom I have ever seen. I would love to raid her closest.
Featured Image(s) Source: Supplied
Leave a Reply