Sam "KAYKO" Kelly-Cohen (born June 14, 2000) is an American indie singer-songwriter and music producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He accidentally competed on Season 22 of American Idol in 2024. [1]
Early Life
editKelly-Cohen was born on June 14, 2000 in Plantation, Florida and raised as an only child. Kelly-Cohen always had a love for music, learning to play the piano at the young age of 3 years old and was very involved in Children's Music Theatre growing up in Florida. [2][3] He attended North Broward Preparatory School before moving to Boston at the age of 18 to attend Berklee College of Music. [4]
Music Pre-Idol
editAfter graduating high school, he attended college to study music for three semesters before leaving early to attend the "school of hard knocks" in Nashville, where he currently lives. While living in Boston he worked at the dueling piano bar Howl at the Moon, which equipped him with a large arsenal of songs. [2]
After moving to Nashville, he formed Your Best Friends Favorite Band (YBFFB) and wrote the top hit "Time of Your Life" among many other alt-pop "foot-tapping, hip-shaking songs that will get you partying with that warm nostalgic feeling you never knew you craved". YBFFB is a "message of kindness, empathy and joy". [3] He later turned to the stage name KAYKO and has a catalogue of over 30 released songs, in addition to over 500 written songs that are displayed on sticky notes across his studio wall.
KAYKO is a songwriter and music producer for a songwriting collective and non-exclusive record label Song House in Nashville, founded by Tyler Ward. His numerous writing and producing credits include the viral hit "Disgusted" by We Ani [5] and his own viral hit "Poser". [6]
American Idol Contest
editAudition
editKAYKO never intended to audition for Season 22 or any other season of American Idol and became a contestant on the show by sheer accident. He originally came to accompany his friend, Abby Blake, at her Nashville audition. Following playing the piano for her audition he was asked by judge Katy Perry if he was also a singer. [7] He sang his original song, "TIME OF YOUR LIFE" and all three judges voted yes, sending him to Hollywood with a golden ticket. [8][9]
List of Performances
editAudition "TIME OF YOUR LIFE" KAYKO
Hollywood Idol Arena "WHAT IF" KAYKO
Showstopper Round "GIVES YOU HELL" The All-American Rejects
Top 24 (Hawaii) "HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU" KAYKO
Top 20 "OVER YOU" KAYKO
Top 14 "WHAT IF" Victory Song KAYKO; "High & Dry" Radiohead
Top 12 "Somebody That I Used to Know" Gotye (ft. Kimbra) Kayko's Version
Top 10 "Teenage Dirtbag" Wheatus Eliminated
Post-Idol
editFollowing his elimination on American Idol, the Nashville artist has has taken his newfound fanbase, dubbed the KayKrew, and continues to promote his music career through writing happy songs with sad words and producing his own music. He has released several tracks that have climbed the pop charts, as well as taking his music on the road and performing live across the country. [10]
His song "Time of Your Life" reached over 1 million streams on Spotify.
In July 2024, he released a new single "Love You Goodbye".
In September 2024, he headlined his first official tour, "Time of Your Life" tour.
In November 2024, he released a duet "Feel the Same" featuring Kaibrienne [11] and is currently touring and co-headlining with fellow Idol alums Haven Madison, Kaibrienne and Blake Proehl on the "Young and Out of Love" tour, reaching 21 cities in the United States. [12]
References
edit- ^ Grebenyuk, Yana (2024-04-29). "'Accidental Idol' Kayko Denies His Role on 'American Idol' Was Fake". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ a b Feigenbaum, Paige. "'American Idol' Top 10 finalist Kayko credits South Florida musical roots for newfound stardom". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ a b "Yourbestfriendsfavoriteband". REVAMP MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (2024-04-23). "Meet 2024's 'American Idol' Top 10 Contestants". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ The Song House - Topic (2023-03-27). Disgusted. Retrieved 2024-11-10 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Everything to Know About Nashville's Song House Community". www.sweetyhigh.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Feigenbaum, Paige. "'American Idol': Delray performer only wanted to play piano, but wound up with golden ticket". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Cohn, Paulette (2024-04-28). "Accidental 'American Idol' Kayko Is Still Close Friends With Abby Blake". Parade. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (2024-04-23). "Meet 2024's 'American Idol' Top 10 Contestants". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "American Idol standouts Kayko, Kaibrienne release new single | Idol Chatter & Voice Views". Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Fessler, Jared. "Interview: Kayko Music of YOUNG & OUT OF LOVE TOUR at Amsterdam Bar & Hall". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.