Data updated on 2025-06-11 15:42:08 UTC
CAIRO! is a genre-blending artist from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Whose raw, emotionally charged sound has carved a unique lane in modern hip-hop and phonk. Born from the struggle growing up in the survey of 1049 rymal road E, later moving to New Brunswick and shaped by resilience, his journey into music began in 2016 when he first started making beats on a borrowed laptop. Struggling to make ends meet by 2019, amidst a period of homelessness, he turned to rapping as both a creative outlet and a lifeline.
His breakout moment came in 2020 with the viral hit "Fresh!" on a youtube channel called Splash.mp3, an upbeat and energetic track that lit up the underground/aesthetic rap movement and marked his first taste of commercial success. That momentum carried into his debut EP "Enigma" in 2021, showcasing his versatility and cementing his place as a pioneer in the underground.
Over the next few years, CAIRO! honed his sound and helped pioneer the modern Phonk sound. —blending Southern rap roots, distorted bass, lo-fi textures, and emotional lyricism. In 2023, he released his first full-length album, "NORTHSIDE 1049", a powerful and personal body of work that reflects his journey from surviving the streets of Hamilton and personal betrayals and struggles to thriving.
With over 370,000 monthly listeners, over 100 million streams and a global fanbase growing by the day, CAIRO! continues to push boundaries, break molds, and tell personal stories that resonate far beyond the beat.
His breakout moment came in 2020 with the viral hit "Fresh!" on a youtube channel called Splash.mp3, an upbeat and energetic track that lit up the underground/aesthetic rap movement and marked his first taste of commercial success. That momentum carried into his debut EP "Enigma" in 2021, showcasing his versatility and cementing his place as a pioneer in the underground.
Over the next few years, CAIRO! honed his sound and helped pioneer the modern Phonk sound. —blending Southern rap roots, distorted bass, lo-fi textures, and emotional lyricism. In 2023, he released his first full-length album, "NORTHSIDE 1049", a powerful and personal body of work that reflects his journey from surviving the streets of Hamilton and personal betrayals and struggles to thriving.
With over 370,000 monthly listeners, over 100 million streams and a global fanbase growing by the day, CAIRO! continues to push boundaries, break molds, and tell personal stories that resonate far beyond the beat.
Monthly listeners
344,369
Followers
31,267
Related artists
Most popular tracks
| Track | Plays | Duration | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
31,535,047 | 1:45 | 2022-02-27 | |
|
14,728,448 | 1:46 | 2021-06-15 | |
|
9,973,417 | 2:07 | 2022-10-28 | |
|
7,201,447 | 2:16 | 2022-05-05 | |
|
6,363,964 | 2:06 | 2022-11-11 | |
|
3,530,739 | 1:38 | 2019-09-13 | |
|
3,347,676 | 2:44 | 2020-07-10 | |
|
3,314,460 | 1:26 | 2022-09-02 | |
|
2,610,149 | 2:16 | 2020-06-27 | |
|
1,865,964 | 2:35 | 2021-10-28 |
