Karima Santi Bio

Karima Santi is one of the most imaginative rising stars in the Austin music scene.

A multi-hyphenate singer, songwriter, and producer, Santi’s music moves fluidly across acid jazz, R&B, sophistipop, and conscious triphop. Her delicate soprano envelops listeners in an intimate sonic experience, described as "exquisitely fragile" by The Austin Chronicle and praised for its "soft power" by CBS Austin. As a grantee of the Austin Live Music Fund and 2026 SXSW Showcase Artist, Santi has aligned herself with some of the city's best talent — fueling an evolution in her sound and a swiftly growing audience.

This evolution is ever present in her upcoming album, Royale. Rooted in a casino motif, the work reveals an artist examining the cards for deeper answers; finding meaning in those chance encounters, twists of fate, and lucky breaks that carry us all towards our own uncertain future. Her listeners may come for the goosebumps and floating feeling her voice creates, but they stay for her vulnerable storytelling, lyrical depth, and one-of-a-kind genre-bending.

Growing up, Santi split her childhood between West Africa, Europe, and the US. Her parents met through the Peace Corps in Niger, and both encouraged her early love of the arts. That upbringing embeds itself in Royale's DNA — trip-hop's hush, jazz's swing, and the lyrical density of conscious hip-hop, all filtered through a voice that bends notes and sways to its own unpredictable timing.

Since relocating to Austin, Santi has built her sound with Texas State-trained guitarist Ibra Martinez, UT-trained bassist Taylor Turner, and engineer Austin Sisler of East Side Studios — all vocals still tracked solo, in her walk-in closet. "Pocket Aces," Royale's breakout single, features additional production from Brian Squillace of LANNDS. Her next single release, "Forget the Odds," arrives August 7th: a downtempo ballad that doubles its own tempo mid-song, drawing early comparisons to FKA twigs and Frou Frou. Her upcoming record Royale is slated for release Halloween 2026.