Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
KEVO
Must be in the top 15 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on October 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About KEVO
Hiii, I’m KEVO! 🎀✨ I’m a genre-hopping indie musician, performer, gamer (when my laptop cooperates 😭), and community-building cutie. I make bold, boundary-breaking music and turn big dreams into REAL motion. I’m here to shake up the scene.
Performances & Content from KEVO
Kevo Live at Aggronation DC
Pink Sugar MV
Grlznit3 MV
Pink Sugar track
Connect with KEVO
No social media links have been provided by this competitor.
Learn More About KEVO
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I’m the next music star because I’m not just making music. I’m building a whole universe around it. I blend genres, bring alternative Black and queer representation to the forefront, perform with undeniable personality, and create spaces for underground artists to shine. I’m self-taught, resilient, and learning to produce my own sound. I have the talent, the story, the community, and the vision. Now it’s time for the world to catch up.
What do you love about music and performing?
I love music and performance because, for a long time, I felt like I didn’t have a voice or that I was allowed to take up space and be center stage. I spent so much time shrinking myself that I almost forgot I was allowed to shine, too. Now, through music, I’m reclaiming my voice, embracing every part of who I am, and giving myself permission to be seen, heard, and celebrated. I’m not waiting for someone else to hand me the spotlight anymore. I know I belong in it.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My biggest musical inspirations range from Hayley Williams of Paramore to India.Arie and Corinne Bailey Rae, Kellis, all the way to K-pop, J-pop, and the colorful world of idol culture. I’ve always been drawn to artists who aren’t afraid to experiment, tell stories, embrace theatrics, or make people feel something. My sound is an amalgamation of everything I’ve encountered and the genres I’ve fallen in love with, the artists who’ve moved me, and the different sides of myself I’ve discovered along the way. I don’t want to fit neatly into one box. I want to take all these influences, mix them with my own experiences and personality, and create something that feels unmistakably KEVO.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
If I won the $10,000 prize, I’d use it to invest in both my dreams and the community that has helped me get this far. I want to give back to the supporters who have poured into me, create more opportunities for my community, and connect with other artists and producers who can help me bring my musical vision to life with the quality and care it deserves. I’d also finally get my passport! As someone who dreams of sharing my music with the world, I want the opportunity to travel, experience new cultures, meet creatives beyond my own backyard, and bring those experiences back into my art. For me, this prize would be about more than personal success. It would be a chance to build something bigger, give back to the people who believe in me, and take KEVO beyond the 757 and onto the world stage.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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