Artist Bio

Austin-based Nigerien-American artist Karima Santi first captured attention with her debut EP Queen of Regret Fall 2024, produced by Grammy-nominated Chris “Frenchie” Smith. Drawing on a songwriting catalog that spans back to 2016, the EP’s singles “Space” and “Arizona” garnered airplay on KUTX and KROX, showcasing her unique blend of acoustic-driven rock and cinematic dream pop.

Following that success, Santi was awarded a grant from the Austin Live Music Fund and has since headlined at esteemed local venues including the Cactus Café and Guero’s Oak Garden. She also featured in The Far Out Lounge’s Black Artist’s Rock showcase, with fans and critics likening her sound to Men I Trust, Sade, and Mazzy Star.

In early 2025, Santi showcased her growing confidence as a producer with a home-recorded indie-rock cover of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” This summer, Santi will release her new single “Eternal Wine” on June 13, 2025, and celebrate its debut at an exclusive wine-and-music event on June 14 at C.L. Butaud Winery (presented by Nordic Pulse Presents). There, she and her three-piece band will premiere tracks from her first full-length album, Royale due late 2025.

With her first U.S. tour launching this fall, Karima Santi is poised to make a lasting impact through her genre-bending, Casino Royale–themed R&B dreamscapes, paying homage to her favorite West African artist, Sade.