Kanii

Kanii
Kanii in 2023
Background information
Birth name	Kani Nkshon Shorter Jr.[1]
Born	(2005-08-02) August 2, 2005 (age 19) Washington, D.C., U.S.[2]
Genres	Hip hop emo rap R&B
Occupations	Rapper singer songwriter
Years active	2018–present
Labels	Masked Warner
Website	https://press.warnerrecords.com/kanii

Kani Nkshon Shorter Jr. (born August 2, 2005), known professionally as Kanii, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Washington D.C., Kanii gained mainstream attention with the singles, "I Know," and "Go (Xtayalive 2)", the former of which charting in multiple territories.

Career

Kanii started his music career in 2018 at 13 years old,[3] when he released his first release, titled "So Long",[4] on his SoundCloud.

In 2020, Kanii released his debut single, "Aubade".[5] During 2022, his song "Attachment" gained popularity on the video-sharing app TikTok.[6] When Kanii had signed to Masked and Warner Records, he later took a seven month hiatus.

Kanii released his single "I Know", his first release under Masked and Warner, in 2023.[7] The song gained popularity on TikTok and charted 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]

Influences

Kanii has cited artists such as Michael Jackson (left) and Brent Faiyaz (right) as his main influences.[11]

Kanii has cited multiple artists as influences to his musical talents, most notably Michael Jackson, Brent Faiyaz, XXXTentacion and Juice Wrld.

Discography

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details

Title	EP details
Kaizen	Released: February 22, 2022[5] Label: Iconic Format: Digital download, streaming
Kosia	Released: April 27, 2022[12] Label: Iconic Format: Digital download, streaming
Relieve	Released: May 22, 2022[13] Label: Iconic Format: Digital download, streaming
Lucent	Released: July 21, 2022[14] Label: Iconic Format: Digital download, streaming
Exiit	Released: June 16, 2023[15] Label: Masked, Warner Format: Digital download, streaming, CD
It Was Nice Knowing U	Released: November 17, 2023[16] Label: Masked, Warner Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Year	Peak chart positions						Certifications	Album
		US [17]	US R&B/HH [18]	US Elec. [19]	CAN [20]	IRE [21]	UK [22]
"Worth Ur While"[23]	2022	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"Attachment (She Wanna Love)"[24] (featuring Bossa)		—	—	—	—	—	—
"I Know"[25]	2023	90	29	—	50	50	64	MC: Gold[26] RIAA: Gold[27]	Exiit
"I Know (PR1ISVX Edit)"[28]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Go (Xtayalive 2)"[29][30] (with 9lives)		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Heart Racing"[31] (with Riovaz and Nimstarr)		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Sins (Let Me In)"[32]		—	—	14	—	—	—		It Was Nice Knowing U
"Tell Me" (with Riovaz and Nimstarr)	2024	—	—	39	—	—	—		Non-album single

Tours

Supporting

• RioRave Disturb the Norm Tour[33]
• The Capable of Love Tour[34]

Headlining

• #BLUE TOUR (2024)[35]
• It Was Nice Knowing U Tour (2024)

References

1. Williams, Kyann-Sian (2024-04-08). "Kanii: "I don't hold back when I express how I feel"". www.nme.com. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
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. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie Cummings-GradyMackenzie (2024-09-30). "The Break Presents: Kanii". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
4. "So long vbucks tape-By Kanii". SoundCloud. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
5. "Aubade - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
6. "Kanii Knows". LA Weekly. 14 March 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
7. "Genre-Blurring Artist Kanii Shares Warner Records Debut Single 'I Know'". Broadway World. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
8. "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. "PinkPantheress tour". Instagram. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
11. "Hollywood reporter article about Kanii". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
12. "Kosia - EP by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
13. "ReliEVE - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
14. "Lucent - EP by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
15. "exiit - Album by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
16. "it was nice knowing u - EP by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
17. "Hot 100 - Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
18. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Week of April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
19. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs - Week of September 30, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
    • "Tell Me": "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs - Week of February 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
20. "Canadian Hot 100 - Week of April 22, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
21. "Discography Kanii". irishcharts.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
22. "KANII | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
23. "Worth Ur While - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
24. "attachment (she wanna love) (feat. Bossa & Kanii Archive) - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
25. "I Know - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
26. "Canadian certifications – Kanii". Music Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
27. "American certifications – Kanii". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
28. "I Know (PR1SVX Edit) - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
29. "Go (Xtayalive 2) - Single by Kanii & 9lives on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
30. "Yo Check This Out: Kanii". WAKS-HD2. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
31. "Heart Racing - Single by Kanii, Riovaz, Nimstarr on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
32. "sins (let me in) - Single by Kanii on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
33. "RIORAVE". Retrieved June 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
34. "Pink pantherss tour annoucment post". Retrieved November 15, 2023 – via Instagram.
35. "#BLUE TOUR". Instagram. Retrieved June 17, 2024.