Kanii

Last updated

Kanii
Born
Kani Nkshon Shorter Jr. [1]

(2005-08-02) August 2, 2005 (age 20)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2018–present
Labels
Website warnerrecords.com/kanii
Signature
Kanii sig.svg

Kani Nkshon Shorter Jr. (born August 2, 2005), known professionally as Kanii, is an is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter.

Contents

Shorter Jr. rose to prominence with his 2023 single "I Know". The song peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100, and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Early life

Kani Nkshon Shorter Jr. was born on August 2, 2005, in Washington, D.C., U.S. [2] As a teen, he would being uploading his music to SoundCloud. [3]

Career

2018–2022: Career beginnings

In 2018, Kanii would start his musical career at 13 years old. [4] Releasing of his first song, titled "So Long" to SoundCloud. [3] In 2020, Kanii released his debut single, "Aubade". [5] During 2022, his song "Attachment" gained popularity on the video-sharing app TikTok. [6] Following his signing to Masked and Warner Records, he would take a seven month hiatus.

2023–present: Exiit and It Was Nice Knowing U

Kanii would release his single "I Know", [7] his first release under Masked and Warner, in 2023. [7] The song gained popularity on TikTok and charted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first entry on the chart. [8] On June 15, 2023, Kanii released his second EP Exiit , along with a release show in Brooklyn, New York with Riovaz and Nimstarr. [9] Kanii was an opener for PinkPantheress' The Capable of Love Tour for 6 shows in spring 2024. [10] He would later release his seventh extended play (EP) #BLUE in 2025. [11]

Artistry

Influences

Michael Jackson in 1988.jpg
Brent Faiyaz.jpg
Kanii has cited artists such as Michael Jackson (left) and Brent Faiyaz (right) as his main influences. [12]

Shorter Jr. has cited multiple artists as influences to his musical talents, most notably Michael Jackson, Brent Faiyaz, XXXTentacion, [13] and Juice Wrld.

Musical style

Discography

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
TitleEP details
Kaizen
  • Released: February 22, 2022
  • Label: Iconic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Kosia
  • Released: April 27, 2022
  • Label: Iconic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Relieve
  • Released: May 22, 2022
  • Label: Iconic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Lucent
  • Released: July 21, 2022
  • Label: Iconic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Exiit
  • Released: June 16, 2023
  • Label: Masked, Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD
It Was Nice Knowing U
  • Released: November 17, 2023
  • Label: Masked, Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
#BLUE
  • Released: July 18, 2025
  • Label: Masked, Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[14] 		US
R&B/HH
[15] 		US
Elec.
[16] 		CAN
[17] 		IRE
[18] 		UK
[19]
"Worth Ur While"2022——————Non-album singles
"Attachment (She Wanna Love)"
(featuring Bossa)		——————
"I Know"20239029—505064 Exiit
"I Know (PR1ISVX Edit)"——————
"Go (Xtayalive 2)"
(with 9lives)		——————
"Heart Racing"
(with Riovaz and Nimstarr)		——————
"Sins (Let Me In)"——14———It Was Nice Knowing U
"Tell Me"
(with Riovaz and Nimstarr)		2024——39———Non-album single

Tours

Supporting

Headlining

References

  1. ↑ Williams, Kyann-Sian (April 8, 2024). "Kanii: "I don't hold back when I express how I feel"". www.nme.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Garrett, Ural (May 31, 2024). "Unboxed Vol. 44: Kanii Is Managing The Pressure Of Near Superstardom By Doing Him". BET. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Guzman, Ivan (November 26, 2024). "Kanii Is Ready To Transform". PAPER . Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (September 30, 2024). "The Break Presents: Kanii". XXL Mag. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Aubade - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 28, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ Callwood, Brett (March 14, 2023). "Kanii Knows". LA Weekly. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Major, Michael (March 10, 2023). "Genre-Blurring Artist Kanii Shares Warner Records Debut Single 'I Know'". Broadway World. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ Zellner, Xander (April 10, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Kanii Arrives With Viral TikTok Hit I Know". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Tickets for Exiit release show on June 15th at market hotel". Seetickets. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (November 14, 2023). "PinkPantheress Announces 2024 North American Dates For Capable of Love Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ Coleman, Vernon (June 27, 2025). "Pi'erre Bourne, Russ, Lizzo and More - New Hip-Hop Projects". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Hollywood reporter article about Kanii". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ White, Evie (February 2, 2024). "Is Kanii The New Face Of Retro-Futurism?". New Wave Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Hot 100 - Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Week of April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs - Week of September 30, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 - Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Discography Kanii". irishcharts.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  19. ↑ "KANII | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Kanii". Music Canada . Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "American certifications – Kanii". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 29, 2023.
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