Kuri is a recording artist from Phoenix, Arizona, raised on the south side of the city. It’s an area known for its toughness—where drugs, gang influence, and daily adversity are part of the landscape. Growing up in that environment could have easily dictated his path, but it didn’t. Instead, it sharpened him. The pressure built resilience, and that resilience found an outlet in music.
His introduction to recording came early. At just ten years old, he made his first song on his uncle’s computer. His uncle, an artist himself, helped guide him through the process. The track was a remix of Drake’s “Best I Ever Had”—rough around the edges, exactly what you’d expect from a kid that age, but it marked the beginning of something real. By thirteen, Kuri had stepped fully into production, teaching himself how to craft beats and experimenting with sound whenever he had the chance. That computer wasn’t just a tool; it was a lifeline.
Musically, his influences were wide-ranging and deeply rooted in family. His mother played everything from Tupac and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to rock bands like Papa Roach. His grandmother filled the house with the smooth harmonies of Tavares and The Whispers. That contrast shaped his ear early on. Today, his sound reflects that upbringing—unrestricted and layered. He can deliver something melodic and laid-back one moment, then pivot into darker, more aggressive territory the next. No matter the mood, there’s always an underlying grit. His music carries the weight of lived experience.
Childhood wasn’t without its struggles. Neglect left him to spend much of his time outside, running the neighborhood with friends. Days were spent at the park playing basketball or squaring up in back-to-back fights just to test endurance and pride. Yet there were lighter memories too—places like Peter Piper Pizza and the arcade at Arizona Mills, where small joys felt larger than life. Those moments of escape mattered.
As he grew into his artistry, Kuri recorded at studios throughout Phoenix, building relationships with engineers and expanding his network. Resources were limited, but determination wasn’t. He moved from space to space, focused on refining his sound and creating opportunity where there was none. Along the way, people opened doors for him when he had very little, and those early acts of support remain part of his foundation.
He recently released a track titled “LOL,” now available on all platforms. The record originally belonged to longtime collaborator Jodie Bishop, who also appears on the song. It was first recorded in 2019 during the Cactus Crew era—a period marked by constant studio sessions and creative momentum. Kuri produced the beat himself, and revisiting the track feels like both a nod to that chapter and a reminder of how far he’s come.
Currently, he is working on his next official album, Yung Kuriboh Vol. 1. The project is intended for the supporters who have stayed patient through smaller EP releases and steady groundwork. With more than twenty tracks planned, the album promises to showcase both the sound listeners have come to recognize and a new direction that signals growth. A 2027 release is the target, with careful attention being given to every detail.
Above all, Kuri gives glory to God. He acknowledges Jodie, Sosa, Sudo, and the many others who offered studio time and belief when he had neither resources nor leverage. The story is still unfolding, but the foundation is firm—and this next chapter is only the beginning.
