At 24 years old, Barbados-born artist kai. pm is making a name for himself. Hailing from Bridgetown, Barbados, the rising artist recently celebrated a major milestone after his latest release, “Now I,” landed on the iTunes charts, marking his biggest accomplishment in music so far. His introduction to making music happened almost by accident. Although he had always loved music, it wasn’t until a close friend repeatedly encouraged him to record that he decided to give it a shot.
“He always used to ask me to hop on the mic, and one night I finally said yes. I haven’t stopped since,” he told ForTheYouth. Since then, music has become a major part of his life, although the journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. At one point, he had a song removed from streaming platforms just days after a live performance, cutting its momentum short right as it was beginning to gain traction.
Beyond the challenges of being an independent artist, kai has also dealt with significant personal loss. In January 2026, his mother passed away, something he describes as the biggest struggle he’s faced. He’s also lost several other people close to him along the way. Despite everything, kai continues to push forward. He finds inspiration in anyone who consistently works toward becoming better at what they do. “Anybody who I either see, hear, or read about striving for excellence with consistency is going to inspire me,” he explained. Looking ahead, his goals extend beyond music. Over the next five years, kai hopes to earn his bachelor’s degree, start a family, and reach a point where his music provides a consistent source of income.
For kai, charting on iTunes is an important step, but it’s far from the finish line. With “Now I” marking a new milestone in his career, the Barbados artist is focused on building something that lasts, both inside and outside the music industry. Stay tapped in with kai.pm and his latest release, “Now I.”