From her roots in the nightlife scene as a club promoter to her natural stage presence, rising star Kiki Kramer is ready to bring something fresh, bold, and a little darker to the world of pop music in 2025. 

Last month, Kiki performed at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, New York–the perfect venue to show the world what she was all about. I had the chance to talk to her about the show and her future aspirations as a musician and Kiki was refreshingly humble in her responses. 

At first glance, Kiki is an interesting individual. Her Instagram is a vibrant collage of photos and videos showcasing her one-of-a-kind style, blending elements of dollcore, Hello Kitty, and the tiniest bit of creepiness to keep you on edge. A comment left on one of Kiki’s TikTok videos compares her style and sound to a mix of Chappell Roan and Melanie Martinez and Kiki was quick to acknowledge this influence. 

As for her musical inspirations, Kiki’s list is filled with popular female artists known for their emotional depth. “My top musical inspirations are MARINA, Halsey, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, and Gwen Stefani. There are probably more I am forgetting though,” she shares. It’s no surprise that these artists—each with their own blend of vulnerability and artistry—are fueling Kiki’s creative drive.

Before breaking into the music scene, Kiki spent time as a club promoter and party host. “Nightlife has opened up so many opportunities for me when it comes to my music. I am plugged in with so many local venues and amazing local bands,” she explains. “I love booking my own shows and I’ve gotten quite good at promoting them. I call myself a ‘professional reply guy’ because I’m in everybody’s DMs inviting them to my events.” 

Kiki is all about pushing the boundaries of what mainstream pop can be. “I think mainstream pop right now is super happy and upbeat. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, personally, I love music that’s a little darker,” she admits. For Kiki, music is more than just a sound or a performance–it’s a therapeutic outlet, a way for her to express her emotions and thoughts in a healthy, creative way. 

“Writing songs has always been an act of catharsis for me. I go to my piano when I’m feeling sad and need to get something off my chest. There’s no need to do that when I’m feeling good,” she says. 

When it comes to her goals, both short-term and long-term, Kiki has two things in mind: 1) focus on building her social media following to increase visibility and connect with more people and 2) become a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race (me too, Kiki, me too). 

Kiki’s future as a musician looks incredibly bright. With her energy, talent, and growing fanbase, it’s only a matter of time before she’s playing to packed venues around the country and releasing chart-topping singles and records. Whether it’s her raw and vulnerable songwriting or her undeniable stage presence, it’s clear that Kiki Kramer is just getting started.