Multi-talented Kayla Diamond Shares On Being One of Canada’s Youngest Female Producers and Label Founders
Toronto’s own Kayla Diamond is redefining what it means to be a powerhouse in the music industry. A multi-talented songwriter, artist, and producer, she stands as one of the youngest female producers and label presidents in Canada, making waves both behind the scenes and on the charts. With a JUNO-nominated production credit on Dom Vallie’s See You When I See You, over 60 million cross-platform streams, and collaborations spanning from dance music heavyweights to rising pop stars, Kayla’s impact is undeniable. Her songwriting and production work have landed placements in major TV shows like The Voice and The Kardashians, and her hitmaking ability helped Hold Me by The Strumbellas reach #1 on CBC’s Top 20.
Beyond her own artistry, Kayla is shaping the future of music through Kolossal Records, a boutique label dedicated to artist development and autonomy. With an impressive résumé and an ever-expanding influence, Kayla Diamond is proving she’s not just a triple threat—she’s a music industry game-changer.
First off, what have you been up to since we last spoke?
I think the last time we spoke, I was still a recording artist! Lots has changed in the last 4 years, haha. I started primarily producing other artists at the end of 2021 and am now doing that as well as developing artists under my new label, Kolossal Records.
You’ve built an impressive career as a songwriter, producer, and artist. What initially drew you to music, and how did you develop such a diverse skill set?
The moment I took my first breath, Bach was playing in the delivery room, so before I even heard, “It’s a girl,” I heard a C major. Growing up, I was classically trained in piano and spent 8 years in a choir, but I’ve always been a bit of a deviant when it came to playing by the rules of music. (I almost got kicked out of my choir because although I was an Alto, I loved singing every part, so I would hop around to Second, First, and even Tenor sometimes.) I realized at a young age that I was envisioning full band music productions in my head at all times and didn’t understand that not everyone has that going on in their minds.
With over 60 million cross-platform streams, you’ve worked with incredible talent. Is there a particular collaboration that stands out as a turning point in your career?
There’s one coming that I can’t talk about yet!! But honestly all of them are really important to me. Writing songs with other humans is the biggest gift, and I’m grateful for it every day.
You’re one of the youngest female producers and label presidents in Canada. What challenges have you faced breaking into these roles, and how have you overcome them?
The first challenge was to re-introduce myself to the industry that only knew me as “Kayla Diamond – singer of ‘Carnival Hearts’”. What I’ve learned is that this is a wildly male-dominated industry that needs more women in positions of power who stand up for their vision. I’m a risk taker, so the biggest challenge I have is convincing others to trust my process, but gauging reactions to it also helps me weed out the weak. Since stepping into my new position, I’ve learned to believe my gut a lot more and not bury my voice. Other industry people are surprisingly receptive to my level of ‘chutzpa’ because they see that it’s part of my recipe for making things happen.
What was it like writing and producing See You When I See You for Dom Vallie, which earned a JUNO nomination for Rap Album of the Year?
Honestly, it’s such an honour – I think Dom is one of the greatest, and he’s really on his way up to making history. I was brought into that session with my pals Just Ideas (Jorge Pineda and Josh Polasz) and Dom. They had a nugget of a song about 60 percent of the way there already, but my goal for the song “The Weekend” was to bring a little more pop flavour and structure, to get the bass to slap a bit harder and fill out the song prod a bit more. That song ended up being the lead single to the album and the first to go to radio.
As the founder and president of Kolossal Records, what inspired you to start your own label, and what sets Kolossal apart?
Last year, I had a situation where I was like 20 songs deep into working with an artist and really helped to develop the sound, but I noticed that the artist’s team was making questionable decisions that were not advancing their career. I started to feel defeated when the majority of songs we made ended up sitting on a shelf, while songs that were totally out of their genre were being picked to release (and not working). When the artist started taking my advice on direction, etc. that’s when the artist became more confident and clear in their sound. I realized that I had a knack for sonic brand/artist development, and that’s when I started to assemble a team that would support my vision to do this over and over again with other artists.
What’s next for you—new music, collaborations, or projects you’re excited about?
I’m really excited for Rebel Wilson’s new film, “Bride Hard,” to hit theatres. You’ll see why! I’m also really excited for the world to hear new music from artists I work with, like Amarii, Sam James, Sofia Camara, Nicolina, and lots more!
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