Nominated for the “Best New Artist” category of the San Diego Music Awards, Kela Sako is a passionate and dynamic musician, lyricist, and vocalist whose work blends intricate, personal storytelling with a deep sense of vulnerability and spirituality. Signed by Pacific Records in 2022, Kela debuted into the music world releasing four singles with the label. Her latest album “Speed Bumps”, debuted at #4 on the iTunes Reggae Albums Chart which features notable beach rock band, Sandollar, on the title track. 

With roots that run deep in her native Hawaiian heritage and the traditions of jazz, reggae, and hip-hop/R&B, Kela’s sound is influenced by legends like Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Amy Winehouse, Sade, and Erykah Badu. She began singing and writing music at the age of 9, drawing from both her personal experiences and a global perspective. Her music is a reflection of her inner world—each lyric, each note, a testament to the raw emotions and spirituality that shape her art.

Kela has performed at some of the most iconic venues in Southern California, including Doll Hut, Winstons OB, Music Box, 710 Beach Club and The Belly Up. She has also graced the stage at the Pechanga Arena singing the national anthem and performing inside the Stella Artois Lounge. She has opened for Hawaiian music legend Henry Kapono and performed alongside Kaleo Philips with her Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaiian Grammy®)-nominated band, Slack Key ‘Ohana.

Her music is not just a career, but a way of life. “Every song I write, I live by,” she says. From her Hawaiian heritage to her California journey—spanning San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Long Beach, and now San Diego, Kela remains focused on reaching for the top. Above all, she believes in the power of persistence. “No matter what, you have to keep going for it and go for it all the way.”