Login
Login

Kaye Styles

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Kaye Styles

| birth_name = Kwasi Gyasi

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1981|8|11}}

| image = KAYE STYLES.jpg

| caption = Kaye Styles in Beverly Hills CA

| image_size =

| origin = Accra, Ghana

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| years_active = 2004–present

| occupations = {{flatlist|

  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • television personality

}}

| associated_acts = Infamous Mobb, Akon, Snoop Dogg, Michael Calfan, Bob Sinclar, Johnny Logan, Celia, Costi Ioniță

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|kaye-styles.com}}

}}

Kaye Styles, born Kwasi Gyasi, is a Belgian singer, songwriter, and TV personality best known for the theme song of the international soundtrack of the hit television series Prison Break produced in 2006.

Early life

Kaye Styles, whose birth name is Kwasi Gyasi was born in Ghana on 8 November 1981.{{cite web|url=http://kaye-styles.com/bio/|title=BIOGRAPHY|work=kaye-styles.com}} He came to Belgium when he was five years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.showbizzsite.be/nieuws/zanger-viert-33ste-verjaardag-1284508|title=Zanger viert 33ste verjaardag|work=Showbizzsite}}

Career

=First album=

File:Kaye-styles-kwasi-gyasi-1389151290.jpg

In 2004, he released his first single "Gimme the Mic"{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Gimme-The-Mic/master/680719 |title=Kaye Styles – Gimme The Mic |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/57b5a/Kaye-Styles-Gimme-The-Mic |title=Kaye Styles – Gimme The Mic |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}} from his first album The True Definition Of Styles.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/140ff/Kaye-Styles-True-Definition-Of-Styles |title=Kaye Styles – True Definition Of Styles |publisher=ultratop.be |date=23 October 2004 |accessdate=10 August 2015}} This became a modest hit in Belgium. Later that year he released "Somebody's Watchin' Me"{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Watchin-Me/master/267633 |title=Kaye Styles – Watching Me |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/57b5b/Kaye-Styles-Watchin'-Me |title=Kaye Styles – Watchin' Me |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}} (a "Michael Jackson cover") and "Safe Sex" with Laura Ramaekers.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Feat-Laura-Safe-Sex/master/752447 |title=Kaye Styles Feat. Laura (15) – Safe Sex |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/57b59/Kaye-Styles-feat.-Laura-Safe-Sex |title=Kaye Styles feat. Laura – Safe Sex |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}}

=Eurovision=

In 2006 Styles entered the Belgian National selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Profile". He finished third in the quarter-finals and second in the semi-finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosong.be/14669/eurosong-06-fotopagina-aangevuld-2|title=Eurosong '06: fotopagina aangevuld|work=Eurosong.be}} Johnny Logan one of the judges, and two-time Eurovision Song Contest winner, was so impressed by Styles' performance that they later recorded a single together, "Don't Cry / I Love to Party" which are a mash up of Logan's "Hold Me Now" and ""What's Another Year". The songs are featured on Styles' second album It Iz What It Iz{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-It-Iz-What-It-Iz/release/5440161 |title=Kaye Styles – It Iz What It Iz (CD, Album) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}} and third album entitled Main Event.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/57b5d/Kaye-Styles-&-Johnny-Logan-Don't-Cry-_-I-Love-To-Party |title=Kaye Styles & Johnny Logan – Don't Cry / I Love To Party |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Main-Event/release/868651 |title=Kaye Styles – Main Event (CD, Album) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}} The pair also performed together live at the 2006 Belgian MTV/TMF music awards held at the Antwerp Sport Palace before 20,000 people{{cite AV media|url=https://vimeo.com/15039197|title=Kaye Styles Live at TMF Awards|via=Vimeo}} and at the Flemish "Tien om te zien" Concerts.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLVRIci1Xlo|title=Kaye Styles and Johnny Logan – Dont Cry (at totz 26-07-2006)|date=21 January 2010|via=YouTube}} With the release of the "Profile" Styles scored his{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosong.be/15504/logan-en-kaye-styles-supertip-in-derde-tien-om-te-zien|title=Logan en Kaye Styles supertip in derde Tien om te Zien|work=Eurosong.be}} first Belgian top 10 hit.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/314a6/Kaye-Styles-Profile |title=Kaye Styles – Profile |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}}

=''Prison Break''=

Later in 2006 Styles was asked by 20th Century Fox Television to create the title song for the Belgian version of the successful American television series Prison Break.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Prison-Break-Anthem/master/184125 |title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}} The song "Prison Break Anthem" became a top 10 hit in Belgium, a number 1 hit on the Flemish National Radio "Radio 2"{{cite web|url=http://www.radio2.be/top-30/song/4238|title=Radio2 Top 30: Kaye Styles – Prison Break (anthem)|work=radio2.be|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114652/http://www.radio2.be/top-30/song/4238|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/50faa/Kaye-Styles-Prison-Break-Anthem |title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}} and was played in Germany,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMNPk716tbI|title=Kaye Styles - Prison Break Antherm.MPG|date=9 March 2011|via=YouTube}} Russia,{{cite web|url=https://vk.com/search?c%5Bq%5D=kaye%20styles&c%5Bsection%5D=video&z=video105351633_159460098|title=Video|work=vk.com}}{{cite web|url=http://rutube.ru/video/38f5d7df75d2e3db7195345b01353045/?ref=search|title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem|work=Rutube}} France,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W185C4GnFB0|title=Faf la rage VS Kaye Styles / PRISON BREAK ANTHEM|date=20 September 2011|via=YouTube}} Finland,{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Prison-Break-Anthem/release/3802456 |title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem (CDr) |date=November 2006 |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}} Estonia{{cite web|url=http://www.frontview-magazine.be/nl/nieuws/kaye-styles-tekent-platendeal-in-16-landen|title=Kaye Styles tekent platendeal in 16 landen.|work=FrontView Magazine}} and all over Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Prison-Break-Anthem/release/975405 |title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem (CD) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}} The song's videoclip was recorded in a real prison and was broadcast on all the major Belgium Networks, "MTV Germany", and "MtV Russia". The same year he was also nominated for two TMF Awards – Best Urban National and Best Male National.

In 2006 Styles was also asked to be the opening act for Christina Aguilera's Benelux Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.frontview-magazine.be/nl/nieuws/kaye-styles-in-voorprogramma-christina-aguilera|title=Kaye Styles in voorprogramma Christina Aguilera|work=FrontView Magazine}}

=''Stanley's Route''=

In 2006, Styles was also a participant on the Belgian VT4 television program Stanley's Route which was a survival program, filmed in Africa, featuring famous Belgian celebrities.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-visie.be/nieuws/belgie/stanleys-route--de-bekende-vlamingen_11044/|title='Stanley's Route' : de bekende Vlamingen|work=TV-Visie}}{{cite web|url=http://www.alanstewartproductions.be/wsite/detail.php?prodid=185&id=8&opennivid=2&openid=8&meth=gt&zoekterm=&start=30&page=2&sort=|title=Alan Stewart Productions|work=alanstewartproductions.be}} The other contestants were: ex-TV presenter Paul Codde, stand up comedian Vitalski, actress Mieke Bouve, Miss Belgium Joke Vandevelde, model Joyce Van Nimmen, jockey Jaak Pijpen, world Judo champion Gella Vandecaveye, actor Geert Hunaerts, Belgian boxing legend, and later friend, Freddy De Kerpel{{cite web|url=http://www.een.be/programmas/de-rode-loper/boksen-voor-beginners|title=Eén – De rode loper – Boksen voor beginners|work=een.be}} and politician Damienne Anciaux.

=''Silence – Death''=

As godfather for the project "EQUAL" Styles went to South Africa together with eight Belgian teenagers to shoot a documentary about aids Silence – Death in 2006. This documentary was broadcast on the Belgian teenage television channel "JIM"{{cite web|url=http://www.tvvisie.be/inhoud/belgie/vlaamse-jongeren-tonen-aids-realiteit-in-zuid-afrika-op-jim_12540/|title=Vlaamse jongeren tonen AIDS realiteit in Zuid-Afrika op JIM|work=TV-Visie}}{{cite web|url=http://musicitems.tempo.fm/node/74831|title=Vlaamse jongeren tonen aids realiteit in Zuid-Afrika op JIM – Musicitems|work=tempo.fm|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121503/http://musicitems.tempo.fm/node/74831|url-status=dead}}

=''First Born''=

In 2008 Styles released his fourth album First Born.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/1917a/Kaye-Styles-First-Born |title=Kaye Styles – First Born |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.musicmeter.nl/album/120768|title=MusicMeter.nl}} This album contains a song featuring American superstars Akon and Konvict Music producer Tariq-L{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/76323/Kaye-Styles-feat.-Akon-&-Tariq-L-Shawty |title=Kaye Styles feat. Akon & Tariq L – Shawty |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=10 August 2015}} called "Shawty".{{cite web|url=http://www.mediawatchers.be/nl/4/8504/Kaye-Styles-werkt-samen-met-Akon|title=MediaWatchers – Kaye Styles werkt samen met Akon!|work=mediawatchers.be|date=23 January 2023 }} The album itself was produced by German and American Producers like Dvo De Silva.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediawatchers.be/nl/4/9719/Kaye-Styles-heeft-nieuw-album--180First-Born-180-klaar|title=MediaWatchers – Kaye Styles heeft nieuw album ´First Born´ klaar|work=mediawatchers.be|date=23 January 2023 }} The president of the French Cognac maker Hennessy specially flew to be present at the release party for First Born.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediawatchers.be/nl/4/5613/Kaye-Styles-krijgt-groots-cadeau|title=MediaWatchers – Kaye Styles krijgt groots cadeau|work=mediawatchers.be|date=23 January 2023 }}

="Freedom"=

In 2009 Styles recorded a single with Frank Ti-Aya or DJ F.R.A.N.K. one of the producers of the world hits "Summerjam",{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7drvhZwPcs|title=The Underdog Project – Summer Jam (Official Video HD)|date=27 July 2009|via=YouTube}} "Candy on the Dancefloor",{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrV59Ni7n50|title=Natural Born Grooves – Candy on the Dancefloor|date=7 December 2009|via=YouTube}} and "Freedom".{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/8e750/Frank-Ti-Aya-feat.-Kaye-Styles-Freedom |title=Frank Ti-Aya feat. Kaye Styles – Freedom |publisher=ultratop.be |date=30 May 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2015}} The videoclip{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_t5gKezMgs|title=Frank Ti-Aya feat Kaye Styles – Freedom|date=19 May 2009|via=YouTube}} was recorded in Marbella, Spain{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqBPI0RO4Pw|title=Kaye styles Dj Frank FREEDOM Marbella 2009!! 1|date=30 January 2014|via=YouTube}} "Freedom" became a number 1 hit in Belgium.

="Ching Choing"=

In 2011 Styles recorded a single with Michael Calfan and Bob Sinclar called "Ching Choing",{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/c47a6/Michael-Calfan-feat.-Kaye-Styles-Ching-Choing |title=Michael Calfan feat. Kaye Styles – Ching Choing |publisher=ultratop.be |date=16 November 2011 |accessdate=10 August 2015}} this was released by Bob Sinclar's record label Bob Sinclar Digital{{cite web|url=https://pro.beatport.com/release/ching-choing-feat-kaye-styles/310619|title=Michael Calfan – Ching Choing feat. Kaye Styles [Bob Sinclar Digital] :: Beatport|work=beatport.com}} & Yellow Productions.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ching-Choing-feat-Styles-Sinclar/dp/B004GA7GO8|title=Amazon.com: Ching Choing (feat. Kaye Styles) [Bob Sinclar Remix]: Michael Calfan: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon}}{{cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Michael_Calfan_Kaye_Styles_Ching_Choing_Bob_Sincla?id=B7olpkt6ml3x2gnwbyx7fzeyhgm|title=Michael Calfan, Kaye Styles: Ching Choing (Bob Sinclar Remix) – Music on Google Play}} The single was distributed in France and Italy.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Calfan-Ching-Chong/release/6818470 |title=Michael Calfan – "Ching Chong" (CD) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=10 August 2015}}

="Is It Love"=

In 2011, also Styles recorded a song with Romanian singer Celia, "Is It Love", produced by the Romanian producer Costi Ioniță. The videoclip was recorded in Ukraine by Alan Badoev{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ2w2P7pEJo|title=Celia & Kaye Styles – Is it love (Making of)|date=23 September 2011|via=YouTube}} and, at a cost of €100,000, it would be the most expensive videoclip to come out of Eastern Europe. The song became a modest hit{{cite web|url=http://eic.makesnoise.com/kaye-styles-biografie.html|title=Kaye Styles • biografie|work=makesnoise.com}}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp02kRM-xgU|title=CELIA ft KAYE STYLES – IS IT LOVE Official Video produced by COSTI|date=2 September 2011|via=YouTube}} in Romania and Bulgaria.

Discography

=Albums=

  • True Definition of Styles (2004){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/140ff/Kaye-Styles-True-Definition-Of-Styles |title=Kaye Styles – True Definition Of Styles |publisher=ultratop.be |date=23 October 2004 |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • It Iz What It Iz(2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-It-Iz-What-It-Iz/release/5440161 |title=Kaye Styles – It Iz What It Iz (CD, Album) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • Main Event (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Main-Event/master/676617 |title=Kaye Styles – Main Event |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • First Born (2008){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/1917a/Kaye-Styles-First-Born |title=Kaye Styles – First Born |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=13 August 2015}}

=Singles=

  • "Gimme The Mic" (2004){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Gimme-The-Mic/master/680719 |title=Kaye Styles – Gimme The Mic |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Somebody's Watchin Me" (2004){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Watchin-Me/master/267633 |title=Kaye Styles – Watching Me |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Safe Sex" (2005){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/57b59/Kaye-Styles-feat.-Laura-Safe-Sex |title=Kaye Styles feat. Laura – Safe Sex |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Maria Bonita" feat Ali Tcheelab (2005){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Ali-Tcheelab-Ft-Kaye-Styles-Maria-Bonita/master/274141 |title=Ali Tcheelab Ft. Kaye Styles – Maria Bonita |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Profile" (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Profile/master/184126 |title=Kaye Styles – Profile |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Don't Cry / I Love to Party" feat "Johnny Logan" (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Johnny-Logan-Dont-Cry-I-Love-To-Party/master/686017 |title=Kaye Styles & Johnny Logan – Don't Cry – I Love To Party |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Prison Break Anthem" (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Prison-Break-Anthem/master/184125 |title=Kaye Styles – Prison Break Anthem |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Cheat on You" feat Black Cherry (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Feat-Black-Cherry-Cheat-On-You/release/1269720 |title=Kaye Styles Feat. Black Cherry – Cheat On You (CD) |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Survivor" (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kaye-Styles-Survivor/master/267630 |title=Kaye Styles – Survivor |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Shawty" feat Akon and Tariq L (2008){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/76323/Kaye-Styles-feat.-Akon-&-Tariq-L-Shawty |title=Kaye Styles feat. Akon & Tariq L – Shawty |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Freedom" feat Frank Ti-Aya (2009){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Frank-Ti-Aya-Feat-Kaye-Styles-Freedom/master/174436 |title=Frank Ti-Aya Feat. Kaye Styles – Freedom |publisher=discogs |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Ching Choing" Feat Michael Calfan and Bob Sinclar{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/c47a6/Michael-Calfan-feat.-Kaye-Styles-Ching-Choing |title=Michael Calfan feat. Kaye Styles – Ching Choing |publisher=ultratop.be |date=16 November 2011 |accessdate=13 August 2015}}
  • "Is It Love" feat Celia (2011){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Celia-7-Feat-Kaye-Styles-Is-It-Love/release/3481551 |title=Celia (7) Feat Kaye Styles – Is It Love (File) |publisher=discogs |date=29 November 2011 |accessdate=13 August 2015}}

Filmography

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"

! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | television

style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2006

| Eurosong (mini series){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0759950/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1|title=Eurosong 2006 (TV Mini-Series 2006)|author=NoName1989|date=15 November 2006|publisher=IMDb}}

| Himself

|

2006

| Stanley's route (mini series){{cite web|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/gqi125fq5|title=Zo primitief is Afrika|author=Jan Debackere|work=Het Nieuwsblad}}

| Himself

|

2011

| "Silence – Death" (TV Movie){{cite web|url=http://www.heartselling.info/index.php?pagina=http%3A//www.heartselling.info/nieuws.php%3Fid%3D2740|title=Heartselling is dè onafhankelijke verkooporganisatie voor entertainmentproducten in de Benelux|work=heartselling.info}}

| Himself

|

References

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

External links

{{Commons category|Kaye Styles|Kaye Styles|position = }}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20150801231704/http://kaye-styles.com/ Official Website]

{{Portal bar|Music|R&B and Soul Music|Belgium|Africa|Biography}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Styles, Kaye}}

Category:1981 births

Category:21st-century Belgian male singers

Category:21st-century Belgian singers

Category:Belgian male singer-songwriters

Category:Belgian pop singers

Category:English-language singers from Belgium

Category:Belgian male rappers

Category:Rhythm and blues singers

Category:Musicians from Leuven

Category:Musicians from Accra

Category:Ghanaian emigrants to Belgium

Category:Living people