Meet the 18-year-old multi-hyphenate artist, Kanii who recently debuted his highly anticipated EP, “exiit”, last month. The eight track project spotlights his enigmatic sound which fluctuates between club energy and sky-scraping pop palatability.

The EP takes the listener on a journey reminiscent of a night out, injected with unforgettable memories. The project also boasts the fan favourite, dancefloor banger, “Heart Racing” ft. Riovas and Nimstarr. Another standout track is the uptempo bop, “Invasion”, with its electronic production underlining Kanii’s genius lyricism, weaving through emotions of gut-wrenching heartbreak.

Hailing from Washington D.C, the singer spent his childhood dabbling in various recording software and capturing his preternaturally brilliant voice. Having taught himself all he knows musically, from inside the four walls of his own bedroom, Kanii has caught our attention like no other.

We sat down with the budding artist to find out about his musical origins, his creative processes and his recent sold out headline show in NYC…

Stream “exiit” now…

Read the interview…

Hey Kanii! How are you? What are you up to this week?
Hey, I’m great. I’m going to Canada for a birthday celebration for my friend this week.

Where did your love for music originate from?
It started when I was around my grandfather and mom. They would play all the fire oldies for me. That would eventually cause me to want to create my own music.

Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, “exiit”! How does it feel to finally share your music with the world?
It’s such a surreal feeling seeing the music that came from my brain translate to everyone with understanding and enjoyment of the art.

“exiit” showcases such a unique blend of sounds. How did you develop your signature style?
I’ve been creating music that I like to listen to myself this entire time, and as my listening ears have grown, my music has evolved.

Who have been major inspirations to you both musically and personally since starting your career?
Michael Jackson has been my biggest inspiration my entire life. The way his music is timeless and loved by everyone is what I eventually want to achieve.

“Heart Racing” featuring Riovaz and Nimstarr has entered the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart and is an absolute banger. How did the collaboration come about, and what was it like working with them?
We created this song after our show. We got in the studio and the energy was insane. We felt like rockstars. working with riovaz and nimstarr is always great they are the homies and they are great at what they do.

“Go (Xtayalive 2)” has gained massive popularity with over 18.5 million global streams. What inspired the creation of this track, and how does it feel to see it resonate with such a wide audience?
This track was just to make a fun track that isn’t too complicated and easy to relate to. seeing this song grow the way it has is insane. I never would’ve imagined.

You recently had your first sold-out headline show in New York City. How was the experience, and what can fans expect from your live performances?
The show was unreal it was the first time seeing what my supporters look like in real life outside of social media so seeing them know all the lyrics and willing to understand all the new music was amazing. It made me understand how real it was. whenever coming to a Kanii show you can expect an electric experience you will leave satisfied.

What are you most looking forward to on tour with Riovaz, and how do you prepare for life on the road?
I’m looking forward to interacting with all the supporters and performing the new music. I’ve been preparing by taking breaks and limiting myself so I don’t burn out of the road.

Your lyrics often convey strong emotions and tell vivid stories. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing your songs?
The life I live is my inspiration. i use my daily experiences and put them into music.

With the success of your debut EP, what can we expect from Kanii in the future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you can share with us?
I am currently working on my second EP which will be a sonic step up from “exiit.” I can’t wait for you all to hear it.