KAZI's 2027 Artists to Watch

By Odessa Vance, October 29, 2026

Ten names we expect to hear a lot more from in 2027. These are KAZI's own picks, chosen across major labels and independents, from North Texas to Dublin. Nobody paid for a spot. Each entry gives you the label, where the artist comes from when it is on the record, the release that put them on our radar, and why we rate them. We start on the Third Coast, because that is where our ears spent most of this year.

Yakiyn

The Dallas Observer ran its Yakiyn profile under the headline "Arlington Rapper Yakiyn Is the Future of Texas Hip-Hop," calling him a "Los Angeles-based, Dallas-raised rapper." Capitol Records lists him under Capitol Records / TDE, and Apple Music carries his single "GET THE LOOT," out February 26, 2026, under a BMR line. The Observer also called him a "rising rap world-builder." We agree, and in our opinion no one in North Texas walks into 2027 with a bigger frame.

Yakiyn: GET THE LOOT (official video)

Ro$ama

Ro$ama is a Paris, Texas, native who moved to Dallas at 12, per Pollstar, which also notes his Rolling Loud debut and a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His album My Forte arrived September 11, 2026, on 600 ENT under exclusive license to UnitedMasters, per Apple Music, with BigXthaPlug on "Picc ah Side" and Monaleo on "Bolaji." Pollstar writes that he studied JAY-Z and 2Pac albums "to sharpen his pen." In our view, the pen is the whole case.

Ro$ama: Pape (official visualizer)

La Reezy

New Orleans rapper La Reezy made the XXL 2026 Freshman Class, and Gambit covered his album Skiddle Bandana on the heels of that nod. Apple Music dates the 13-track album to July 7, 2026, under a La Reezy / UTH line licensed to UnitedMasters. His Skiddle Bandana Tour closes at Gasa Gasa in New Orleans on February 20, 2027. We rate him because, in our opinion, few rookies map out a year this clearly: the record, the class, then a hometown finish.

La Reezy: Melanate It (official video)

Jupiluxe

Jupiluxe is "an independent music artist from Houston, Texas," in their own words to Voyage Houston, and calls the work "underground southern rap." They told the outlet they have made music as Jupiluxe for about five years. The album Enchain came out August 28, 2026, eight tracks with lvcien credited on each, under a Nebula line per Apple Music. Why they are here: in our opinion, years of building in public without a major behind you is exactly what this list exists to reward.

Jupiluxe: Enchain

ApolloRed1

Complex put ApolloRed1 on its 26 Rappers To Watch In 2026 list, describing him as "Playboi Carti's cousin" and "the latest figure in Opium's orbit." His project Demon Heart Radio arrived June 4, 2026, under a YVL / Interscope line, per Apple Music, with 18 tracks including "Codeine Shower" featuring Destroy Lonely and "Geeked up" with OsamaSon. Complex says he "leans more melodic than his peers." We rate him because, in our view, he is already past the family headline and standing on his own records.

ApolloRed1: AFRICA (official video)

Naisha

Clash calls Naisha a "rising Indian all-rounder" and "the Mumbai raised artist," and covered what it calls her debut EP, 911, in full. Apple Music lists its three tracks under a Desi Trill Music line licensed to Interscope Records, out August 7, 2026, with Ty Dolla $ign on "so then" and Skrillex, BEAM and Dilip on "CONTRABAND." Clash reports she sings predominantly in Hindi. "'911' is authentically me," she said, per Clash. In our opinion, that kind of confidence travels well beyond one scene.

Naisha: CONTRABAND feat. Skrillex, BEAM & Dilip (official video)

Kuzi Cee

Universal Music Canada calls Kuzi Cee a "Zimbabwe-born, Calgary-based R&B singer-songwriter." His breakout "Rather Be" reached #16 at Canadian Top 40 radio, according to the label, and Rolling Stone Canada named him to its Future of Music 2026 list. His new single "Frequency" came out October 16, 2026, per Apple Music. He told Rolling Stone Canada his city "has seen a lot of success in folk, pop, and country." We think an R&B singer breaking through there is worth watching.

Kuzi Cee: Frequency (lyric video)

St. Panther

St. Panther is "the East Los Angeles artist" behind East Side Love Story, a debut album "arriving November 20 through drink sum wtr," per That Eric Alper. The 2025 EP Strange World earned "attention from NPR Music, Bandcamp Daily, Remezcla and FLOOD Magazine," the same report says, and co-producer Chris McClenney's credits include H.E.R., Khalid and Jamila Woods. Apple Music lists ten tracks under a drink sum wtr line. In our view, a debut this well set up rarely stays a secret.

St. Panther: OUT ON THE CORNER (official video)

Bleech 9:3

Our wild card is a guitar band. Kerrang! calls Bleech 9:3 "Dublin alt-grunge newcomers," and Apple Music dates their self-titled debut EP to May 15, 2026, five songs on Polydor. "Bad worship is a theme that runs through the EP," singer and guitarist Baz Quinlan told the magazine. Interscope says the band is fresh from Reading & Leeds and Electric Picnic, with sold-out New York and Los Angeles shows ahead. Our advice: start with "Underrated."

Bleech 9:3: Underrated (official video)

SOOS

BabyStep Magazine calls SOOS a "19-year-old Mexican-American rising star" and "the Monterey-born, Antioch-based artist," and describes his debut EP as "blending alternative R&B, indie-pop and laid-back West Coast production." Apple Music dates silly songs 4 u to October 23, 2026, ten tracks under the artist's own line, with BOKO on "Hollywood" and "Bite Back." He is the youngest name here and, in our opinion, the one most likely to look obvious in a year.

SOOS: silly songs 4 u

Odessa Vance called it first: Yakiyn, October 28, 2026. Run back 'GET THE LOOT.'