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Paytra | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Paytra Gessler |
| Born | Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Alt‑pop, hip hop, pop, R&B, funk, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, investor |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Labels | Independent |
Paytra Gessler, known professionally as Paytra, is an American singer‑songwriter whose music combines pop and hip‑hop with R&B, funk and soul influences. She gained attention in the early 2020s with her genre‑bending singles and her feminist message. Paytra’s releases include the EP Momma Taught Me How to Fight and the album Tiny But Mighty (both 2023)【854140639155648†L119-L123】, as well as the singles “Villain Era” (2023), “Bright Red Flags” (2023)【331835262276082†L127-L149】, “Good Girls Don’t Make History” (2024)【610406519434033†L284-L290】, “All Kinda Bitches” (2024)【695032903925577†L42-L52】 and “World’s About to Get Crazy” (2024)【466616601965079†L42-L60】.
Early life
editPaytra was born and raised in a small town in Michigan and grew up studying classical piano while listening to 2000s R&B, rock and hip‑hop【459518161069227†L188-L190】. Seeking a larger stage, she bought a one‑way ticket to New York City at the age of 16 to pursue a music career【854140639155648†L93-L101】. According to the pop‑culture magazine OutLoud! Culture, she arrived in New York naïve about the music industry but dedicated herself to vocal lessons, dance classes and open‑mic performances, eventually becoming a “force to be reckoned with”【854140639155648†L101-L110】. The same profile notes that her music draws on modern beats and R&B, alt‑funk and soul influences from the 1990s and 1970s while addressing topics such as self‑reliance, sexism, racism and sisterhood【854140639155648†L103-L110】.
Career
editPaytra released music independently throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s. She described her sound in interviews as “edgy pop” and often pairs pop hooks with hip‑hop rhythms. In August 2023 the music blog Unheard Gems previewed her single “Breaking Glass Ceilings”, calling it a “bad bitch anthem” and noting that she moved from suburban Detroit to New York City at sixteen【341605130459250†L32-L43】. Reviewer Erika Isaacs wrote that Paytra’s lyrics promote self‑confidence and women’s empowerment and that she had gained tens of thousands of Spotify listeners【341605130459250†L36-L49】. That same month the platform EARMILK highlighted her ballad “Bright Red Flags”, praising her “one‑of‑a‑kind voice” and describing her blend of pop and soul【331835262276082†L127-L149】.
During 2023 Paytra released a five‑song EP titled Momma Taught Me How to Fight and the full‑length album Tiny But Mighty【854140639155648†L119-L123】. The album’s single “Villain Era” was promoted as an anthem about reclaiming agency; the music website Tinnitist wrote that it encourages listeners “to take control of our own lives” and challenges expectations that prioritizing oneself is selfish【362081202556539†L193-L208】. Reviewer Darryl Sterdan noted that she wrote the song after trending discussions of entering a “villain era” and said that its lyrics urge people to stop people‑pleasing【362081202556539†L196-L208】. He further commented that Paytra’s music combines R&B, alternative, funk and soul elements and addresses themes of self‑reliance and confidence【362081202556539†L222-L226】.
In May 2023 OutLoud! Culture profiled Paytra as part of its “INsiders Guide” series. The article recounted her early struggles in New York and praised her for blending modern beats with R&B, alt‑funk and soul influences【854140639155648†L101-L110】. It credited her with releasing Momma Taught Me How to Fight and Tiny But Mighty in 2023 and described the works as “masterpieces of self‑expression”【854140639155648†L119-L123】. OutLoud! Culture also noted her advocacy for women’s empowerment and her investment in female entrepreneurs through a New York venture‑capital syndicate【854140639155648†L113-L116】.
Paytra continued to release singles in 2024. In July 2024 the music journal FEMMUSIC reported on her single “All Kinda Bitches”, calling her an “alt‑pop/hip‑hop artist” and saying the song combines modern hip‑hop and 2000s electronica influences, with playful lyrics that celebrate feminine power【695032903925577†L42-L52】. The magazine later reviewed her September 2024 single “World’s About to Get Crazy”, describing it as a hip‑hop/R&B anthem that calls on women to “step up” and take aim at the hypocrisy of the MAGA movement; the review compared its sound to Jay‑Z, Dr Dre and Wu‑Tang Clan and quoted Paytra saying she wanted the song to mobilize listeners to fight and vote for change【466616601965079†L42-L60】. The pop‑culture site Laurelanne wrote that her 2024 single “Good Girls Don’t Make History” is a funky, feminist anthem that calls for a rebellion against the patriarchy【610406519434033†L284-L290】.
Artistry and themes
editCommentators describe Paytra’s music as blending pop and hip‑hop with R&B, funk and soul. The Unheard Gems review of “Breaking Glass Ceilings” highlighted her empowerment lyrics and noted that she had garnered tens of thousands of listeners on Spotify【341605130459250†L36-L49】. EARMILK praised her soulful voice and ability to craft relatable narratives in “Bright Red Flags”【331835262276082†L127-L149】. FEMMUSIC wrote that her song “All Kinda Bitches” draws influences from artists like Doja Cat, Beyoncé, The Prodigy and Daft Punk and contains playful lyrics celebrating different kinds of women【695032903925577†L42-L52】. Reviewers have also noted that her work frequently addresses sexism, racism and self‑empowerment【854140639155648†L103-L110】.
Other activities
editBeyond music, Paytra has invested in female‑led start‑ups as a general partner in a New York‑based venture‑capital syndicate【854140639155648†L113-L116】. She has advocated for women entrepreneurs and has stated that her goal is to use her platform and business ventures to create opportunities for women in male‑dominated industries【854140639155648†L113-L116】.
Discography
edit- Momma Taught Me How to Fight – EP (2023)【854140639155648†L119-L123】
- Tiny But Mighty – studio album (2023)【854140639155648†L119-L123】
Selected singles
edit- “Breaking Glass Ceilings” (2023)
- “Villain Era” (2023)【362081202556539†L193-L208】
- “Bright Red Flags” (2023)【331835262276082†L127-L149】
- “You Got the Sauce” (2023) – non‑album single
- “Good Girls Don’t Make History” (2024)【610406519434033†L284-L290】
- “All Kinda Bitches” (2024)【695032903925577†L42-L52】
- “World’s About to Get Crazy” (2024)【466616601965079†L42-L60】