KAYLA

We are so happy to be back presenting Kayla from Greensboro, North Carolina! Kayla works as a Sales Manager where she travels very often for work which allows her to enjoy visiting different record stores and crate driggin. On her free time, she focuses on her brand Peace Love Vinyls where she organically grows into educating people how records are played and the overall vibe records create.

“I would love to open up my own record store one day and focus on ‘urban’ records since there’s a lack of Hip-Hop and R&B records in some stores.”

Though there is a slight struggle finding Hip-Hop and R&B records at times, Kayla only buys records in store and not online because like many of us can agree, it tells a better story.

“I end up stumbling across records that are meant for me at the time.”

This is why Kayla has all of Kendrick Lamar’s projects on vinyl and it’s something that she really cherish in her growing record collection which you can learn more about below in her Q&A.

Social Media:

Instagram @PeaceLoveVinyls

What are your current top 5 records and songs you’ve listened to on repeat

this year?

1. NxWorries- Yes Lawd! (the entire record)

2. Tyler the Creator- Glitter

3. Outkast- Liberation

4. Kendrick Lamar- untitled 06

5. Mac Miller- Small Worlds

Favorite Genres:

Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, Neo Soul, Pop

Favorite Record Shop(s):

Hippo Records (Greensboro, NC), Underdog Records

(Winston-Salem, NC), Lunchbox Records (Charlotte, NC)

What made you start collecting records?

It’s always been super fascinating to me how vinyls were made and how it creates sound. Collecting records is storytelling for me and it’s something tangible that I can share with the next generation. Additionally, we feel connected to various artists through music, but having records amplifies that connection for me which makes me feel great.

What is the first record you’ve bought?

Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp a Butterfly

What are the most recent records you’ve added to your record collection?

Nipsey Hussle- Victory Lap and Mac Miller- Swimming…two phenomenal artists that left us too soon. May their souls rest in peace.

What records are you looking to add next?

I’m looking to add a few of my favorite old school records to my collection like Isley Brothers- Go for Your Guns, Roy Ayers- Everybody Loves the Sunshine and a couple of Delfonics records. That would be dope.

What artists new or old inspire you the most and why?

I’m a huge fan of Outkast. I feel like I learn something new every time I listen to their music…I like to be challenged a lot of the times when I listen to different projects.

Along the same lines, for the new school artists- Kendrick Lamar and Anderson.Paak. Their word play excites me like no other and listening to them is an entire experience to me.

What are your all-time favorite samples used?

- Day by Day (Eddie Kendricks)/Let the Beat Build (Lil Wayne)

- Grandma’s Hands (Bill Withers)/No Diggity (Blackstreet)

- The Thorn (Willie Jones)/Rigamortus (Kendrick Lamar)

- On Your Own (Lalah Hathaway)/Momma (Kendrick Lamar)

- The Bottle (Gill Scott)/Suede (NxWorries)

- Angel (Anita Baker)/Dream to Me (Dom Kennedy

- Imaginary Playmates (Rene & Angela)/Imaginary Players (Jay Z)

- Hey Love (The Delfonics)/Playa Hater (Notorius B.I.G.)

Follow my Apple Music @PeaceLoveVinyls to listen to my sampling playlists 

What artists are you looking forward to dropping new projects?

KENDRICK LAMAR…I’ve been waiting on a new album all year.

What time of the day and mood do you usually like to throw a record on?

I usually throw on my records on the weekends or right before I go to bed to relax. I also love listening to records while I’m cleaning.

Where do you see vinyl going in the next decade?

I really love the fact that more and more artists are being intentional about releasing vinyls and including it in their online stores and on tour. I’d love to see that continue to grow as the demand goes up. I also see artists focusing more on the artwork and sleeve art as it becomes more popular as well. That’s so exciting to me.

How has music and having records impacted your life and day to day?

Music literally saved my life. It’s a form a therapy for me. Having records makes me appreciate the music more and it puts me into a nostalgic space where there was hardly any technology. It reminds me that it’s ok to unplug and appreciate the physical art versus the digital.

Why do you believe women’s music taste is vital to you?

I believe that everything tells a story. Like a lot of things, music is an industry that started off male saturated. It’s beautiful that so many women are making phenomenal music and that we have just as many opportunities to do great things. All of our stories matter and I’m thankful for platforms such as Black Girls Love Vinyl to shed light on that- it’s great.

Lastly, what advice do you have for other women who want to start collecting records?

Just start! Don’t get intimidated by others who may have more records or have some of the same records as you. Collecting records tell a story so start telling yours.