Singer/songwriter Rayla is making waves in the music industry. So far in her career, Rayla has been handpicked to open for the likes of Daya, HRVY, Olivia Holt and Jana Kramer. Her debut single “Boys Like You” has been rising the charts and has been featured on Radio Disney. Rayla also recently opened for HRVY in NYC and performed a set at Z100’s Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee Lounge a few weeks ago. YEM spoke with the rising starlet about her career and what’s ahead.

(Credit: Robbie Joseph)

Young Entertainment Mag: How did you first get involved in music?
Rayla: Growing up there was always music playing in the house – all genres from rock and roll to country to pop. My mom says I was born singing. I used to stand on the dishwasher door and use it as my stage to perform. I wrote my first song at five – not my best work but it had a great melody and catchy lyrics. Lol! We had a recording studio in my hometown, so when I was around 10 I would go there every day to write and record and just hang out with other kids doing the same thing. Once I started going to New York and LA for my music, everything just kind of grew from there.

YEM: How would you describe your sound? How did you find your sound?
Rayla: My sound is definitely more Pop. It took me awhile to really find my sound and feel like this is really me. At the same time, I hate to define my sound and put it in a box. I’d rather my listeners just enjoy my music and they can define it how they hear it.

YEM: You’ve opened for HRVY, Daya, Olivia Holt, and Jana Kramer. What was it like working with them?
Rayla: Amazing! I am such a huge Jana Kramer fan. I was so excited to meet her that I cried. Lol. She was just so nice. Daya and Olivia Holt were awesome. They both have such amazing careers. I really admire them. HRVY was such a fun show to do. The crowd had really great energy.

YEM: Tell us about your current single “Boys Like You.”
Rayla: I am really so grateful for the reaction and support I have received with this song. It has been amazing coming from something that was so personal. “Boys Like You” was like sharing my diary! It came about from a really toxic relationship I was in. Once I realized it and was able to get out, I wanted to share my story to help others that might be in the same situation. I think it’s good to recognize moments like that. You hear songs about overcoming certain things but that’s not always the case. It’s okay to not be okay and the song does have an empowering moment at the end.

YEM: Our readers have heard your song on Radio Disney! What is it like to hear your song on the radio?
Rayla: That is the craziest thing! I had a bunch of friends over and we all piled into the car to listen. We were screaming and yet trying to listen at the same time! Lol I did have some serious tears. I worked so hard to get to this point that when I actually heard it on a radio station, and it’s a station you grew up listening too, it was just so surreal. Best feeling ever!

YEM: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Rayla: This is so hard, there are so many great artists! But recently, I think I would love to collaborate with Ed Sheeran. He is such a great story teller and so authentic. I would love to sit in a room, with just him and a guitar and see what happens.

YEM: Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
Rayla: Anything that has great energy and gets the crowd moving, I love to perform. I have a few new songs that the audiences have really reacted too, but I have to say one of my favorite moments recently, was when I performed “Boys Like You” and the audience sang along with me! It was such an amazing feeling.

YEM: What’s ahead for you? Will you be touring? Maybe releasing a music video or an album soon?
Rayla: Yes! There is so much going on, it’s so exciting. I have a music video that just came out, for my new single LNT.  I’m also working on finishing an EP to be released later this year and I will definitely be out performing a lot more in the next few months!