UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA SIGNS R&B’S BREAKOUT LOVER-BOY KUZI CEE
ANNOUNCED AS iHEARTRADIO FUTURE STAR FOR
FEBRUARY & MARCH 2026
Download Media Assets HERE
LISTEN TO “RATHER BE” HERE
05 FEBRUARY 2026 (TORONTO, ON) – R&B’s next breakout star is stepping into a new chapter. Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, today announced that rising R&B artist Kuzi Cee has officially joined the UMC roster, following the success of his breakout single “Rather Be” and the growing buzz he’s been generating with fans across platforms.
The signing, led globally by the UMC team and in partnership with Mercury Records out of the United States, marks the latest milestone in a standout run for Kuzi. Released in October 2025, “Rather Be” quickly became a breakout moment, amassing over 2 million global audio streams and more than 37.5 million views across social platforms. On TikTok, thousands of user-generated videos drove discovery and repeat listening, signaling a fast-growing fanbase. Through a series of organic teasers, Kuzi invited listeners into the creative process — sharing early versions of the song, testing hooks, and ultimately working with fans to land on the title, artwork, and final production elements based on what resonated most.
“Kuzi’s voice is undeniable — and one that’s been on our team’s radar for some time. It’s been wonderful to watch him grow into his own as a storyteller and artist. Kuzi has an insatiable work ethic, and the passion to back it up,” said Julie Adam, President & CEO, Universal Music Canada. “He pours everything he has into his art. We love his energy, and we’re so excited to be part of his journey.”
From organic online traction to the airwaves, “Rather Be” continues its rise, with Kuzi named an iHeartRadio Future Star for February and March 2026 and the track receiving national airplay across Virgin Radio stations throughout Canada.
“I’m so excited to start this new chapter with the team at Universal Music — to tell my story and share my music with the world,” says Kuzi Cee. “To everyone who’s ever taken a chance on me and my music, I can’t thank you enough. All of that support brought us to this moment. I’m ready to lace these kicks up, put pen to paper, and push R&B to every corner of the world.” He continues, “And to the six-year-old Kuzi who fell in love with singing — I promise this is just the beginning.”
Born in Zimbabwe and now based in Calgary, Kuzi Cee spent his formative years living between London, New York, Toronto, and Pennsylvania, absorbing the sounds and cultures of each city along the way. The result is a sound that blends nostalgic R&B sensibilities with modern polish, anchored by dynamic flows, buttery vocals, and emotionally resonant lyricism exploring love, longing, and real connection.
With a sound that feels both timeless and current, Kuzi Cee is emerging as one of R&B’s most compelling rising Gen-Z voices. His growing live résumé includes support slots for Nelly, G-Eazy, T.I., Ashanti, Mario, Michael Bublé, and more. Stay tuned for much more to come as Kuzi prepares to release new music throughout 2026 — with early teasers already giving fans a glimpse of what’s next — ahead of his debut full-length project.
Kuzi Cee (center) with (L – R): Kwaku Agyemang, A&R Manager, UMC; Julie Adam, President & CEO, Universal Music Canada; Sean Bussiere, artist management; Amanda Kingsland, Vice President, A&R, UMC; Photo credit: Tobias Wang
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ABOUT KUZI CEE:
Kuzi Cee is a Zimbabwe-born, Calgary-based R&B singer-songwriter shaped by a life lived across borders. Growing up between New York, Philadelphia, and Toronto before settling in Calgary, his global upbringing informs both his sound and perspective. Drawing inspiration from early-2000s R&B and hip-hop alongside contemporary influences, Kuzi blends nostalgic sensibilities with modern polish, anchored by tender vocals and emotionally resonant storytelling.
Originally beginning as a rapper, Kuzi later leaned fully into singing—using love and relationships as the foundation for his songwriting. His breakout single “Rather Be” introduced his sound to a wider audience, earning widespread engagement across streaming and social platforms. As his audience continues to grow, Kuzi Cee is establishing himself as one of Gen-Z R&B’s most compelling rising voices.