Rickey Kamai is here to capture hearts this holiday season with his latest single, "My Last Name," which just released on December 6, 2024! Inspired by his wife and their journey together, this new song speaks directly to the timeless emotion of wanting to share your life with someone special. Rickey explains, "The inspiration came from my beautiful wife. After we got married, only she had to deal with all the paperwork changes—her license, ID, passport, bills, mail, it goes on and on. So, I wrote this song to ease her pain and let her know how much she means to me. Plus, her first name really does sound good with my last name!"
The song itself is very different from Rickey's previous release, "The Get Around." While his debut single had an upbeat, Hawaiian-inspired country sound with a yodel twist, "My Last Name" takes a more intimate approach. Lyrically, it's a confession of love, a deeply personal message straight from the heart. Musically, the track blends island influences with a reggae-inspired R&B vibe, showcasing Rickey's versatility as an artist. "I wanted to create something slower, more emotionally connected," Rickey says. "This one isn't about creating a setting or telling a story—it's about expressing love and devotion."
Rickey's influences are deeply rooted in island music, which shines through in "My Last Name." He shares, "A lot of my influences come from island music—it's often repetitive, but there's still so much room for emotion. The song has the same island features, but with an R&B vibe sprinkled with some country tones." With this unique blend, Rickey hopes to create a feeling of lasting love for his listeners. He wants the song to remind people to cherish their partners and keep the spark alive, even after marriage. "I hope people use this song to take time and woo their spouse. Remember how you felt during your wedding and those vows—those feelings don't have to fade."
Releasing "My Last Name" during the holiday season was significant for Rickey. The timing coincides with his wedding anniversary, making it a special way to commemorate the day he and his wife tied the knot. The recording process also had its share of special moments. "My sister and cousin did background vocals on this song," Rickey shares. "It was awesome to have them be part of the process, especially since they have their own musical aspirations." His wife even received writing credit for helping Rickey put the finishing touches on the song, truly making it a family affair.
Of course, the creative process wasn't without its challenges. Rickey learned the importance of balancing the sound he wanted with the input of his creative team. "It's about finding the right balance. If you're a team, you stay confident in your choices, but you also have to stay open to other suggestions," he explains. Listeners can also look forward to some unique elements in the song, like the part towards the end where Rickey and his sister are singing back and forth, adding a fun, chaotic touch to the track.
The journey from the first spark of the idea to the final production of "My Last Name" was a collaboration of different ideas. Rickey says, "I write a lot, and sometimes I combine different things that have similar ideas. I never think I'm going to write a hit song in five minutes. All good things take time. Just like God took extra time to make my wife for me, I took extra time to make this song special for her." Rickey hopes fans feel the love and excitement in the air when they hear the song for the first time, especially during this festive holiday season.
Rickey has an exciting live performance lined up on Hawaii News Now on December 13th at 8:10 AM, where he'll be showcasing "My Last Name." He chose this song for the performance not only because of its recent release but also because of its personal significance. "The song's initial emotions are calm and sweet. To bring this to the stage, I envision my wife and me laughing together. It’s my favorite continuous moment that we share, and it brings me right where I need to be emotionally for the song."
In the bigger picture, "My Last Name" plays a significant role in Rickey's musical career. It shows his ability to cross genres effortlessly and create something unique. "The goal is to use the gift I've been given—the gift of creating—to make something that stands out," he says. The song is filled with personal moments, from the first verse, which captures the tender moments between him and his wife, to the involvement of his sister Ho'onani, who was there when he first came up with the chorus hook.
"My Last Name" is especially meaningful because of its intimacy. "It's more intimate compared to my other songs. There are some turns of phrases that give the listener a bit of ear candy," Rickey shares. He also wants his music to connect with universal feelings of love and commitment. "When you create something that even one person can immediately relate to, you've done what you're supposed to do as a writer and a creator. If someone connects with this song, it might help them express how they feel about the person they love."
Rickey is keeping his fans updated about his upcoming shows, releases, and events on social media under @RickeyKamaiMusic, as well as through his website at rickeykamai.com. He has a lot planned for the future, including more original music, collaborations, and Hawaiian language songs. "There is a lot to look forward to! More original music—no covers for me! There will be a bunch of collaboration songs next year, as well as songs for next year's Christmas season. Stay tuned because I always give sneak peeks!"
When asked about dream collaborations, Rickey says, "That's a tough one! I would either collaborate with Fiji or Bruno Mars. Both are amazing artists who cross genres with ease, and they've inspired me to be great and trust my music. It would be an honor to work with either of them." Rickey also shares that his favorite non-musical activity to stay creative is swimming. "My mind is constantly turning and creating. When I swim, it requires my whole body, which helps quiet my mind. I also love holding my breath underwater for as long as I can to appreciate the complete silence."
If "My Last Name" were a movie, Rickey imagines the opening scene would be an aerial shot from above, capturing a beautiful sunset with a couple sitting in beach chairs, holding hands, as the tide softly rolls in. The scene would then transition to someone giving their vows—a romantic start for a love story set to music.
Check out Rickey Kamai today and be a part of this artist's incredible journey!
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