Genre-Pushing Virtuoso Kanii Reinvents Retro on “tell me” with Riovaz & Nimstarr
Although D.C.-born, self-taught songwriter and musical virtuoso Kanii just graduated high school, his knack for blending old-school nostalgia with new-school ingenuity is taking him to places where dreams reside. Blessed with the songwriting chops of a seasoned veteran, Kanii effortlessly fuses strands of Pop, R&B, and Jersey Club, artistically creating sounds influenced by much, while sounding like nothing you’ve ever heard.
Thanks to the music he grew up with over the years and the digital recording software he taught himself to use, Kanii’s sound puts a spin on the old, by making it sound brand new. “tell me”, his new collaboration with Riovaz and Nimstarr under the moniker “The Heart Racers” is no different.
A markedly uptempo track backed with passionate lyricism and new wave, retro production, the single pulls listeners’ heartstrings to the dance floor while showcasing Kanii’s refined songwriting and vocals matched with effortless transitions between emotion and sounds. The visual is equally entertaining, giving off retro Stranger Things vibes, and follows the November ’23 release of Kanii’s “it was nice knowing u” EP, which is beautifully coated in transparency, romance, and kaleidoscopic production.
Aside from creating dope sounds, Kanii has over 5 million Spotify monthly listeners and his RIAA Gold-Certified hit, “I Know” entered the Billboard Hot 100 last year, while “I Know (PRISVX Edit)” ranked in Spotify’s US Top 50 chart. And.. did I mention his sold-out headlining tour in Europe? If that’s not enough to spark your interestm Kanii is set to serve as a main support on PinkPantheress’ upcoming US Tour, plus will have a Rolling Loud set next month in Inglewood, CA (whoop whoop).
While Kanii acknowledges his influences, he remains adamant about refusing to be placed in a box, as evidence by his genre-pushing sound. Press play on “tell me” and his “it was nice to know u” EP below to experience Kanii’s gift of finding the familiar and adding his touch to turn it into gold — the mark of genius.
