Kiki Kramer is bringing an edge back to pop music inspired by New York nightlife and the perils of modern dating

Words & Photos by Matt Keenan

There’s few better places in the world to be inspired by than New York City– where better to live and create than a city with such a diverse cultural scene and endless possibilities to express yourself however you want to? Fusing together the intrigue and flair of New York City nightlife, depth and mystery of astrology, and the perils of dating in this generation, Kiki Kramer is bringing an edge back to pop music in a way of her own. She writes lyrics with a vulnerable honesty while grappling with the desire to be famous, unfiltered love, and the sometimes overwhelming nature of social media.

I recently got the chance to catch Kiki live at Baby’s All Right, right in the heart of Williamsburg (not to mention one of Liv and I’s favorite venues in the city). Kiki was enthralling, and a ton of fun. Some of the best shows are when you feel the artist is connecting with their audience, and Kiki managed to use the intimate space at Baby’s in the best way possible, drawing in the crowd and delivering a charmingly alluring performance with a lovely mix of her own songs.

Growing up in Northern California, Kiki was drawn to art at an early age and began writing songs as a kid. Attending Tisch School of the Arts at New York University with a drama major, she continued to pen tunes inspired by Marina and the Diamonds, Melanie Martinez, No Doubt, Halsey, and Lana Del Rey. Experiencing senior year amid COVID, she opted to “take a prolonged leave” to pursue music. She split her time between a babysitting job and production lessons, following her mother’s passing, she got even more serious about music. Rather than solely relying on social media, she approached music promotion “the old school way,” immersing herself in nightlife.

Beginning as a club promoter and party host, Kiki began to curate her own events, performing live music at them. She did everything to be heard, including, as she says “grabbing drunk people’s phones and following herself on Spotify.” Suretone Entertainment founder Jordan Schur listened to a handful of demos in 2023 and signed her the following year. Hitting the studio, she continued to cultivate a signature sound—fusing jazz, hyper-pop, and indie. Now, Kiki introduces herself with claws out on a series of 2024 singles and her forthcoming debut EP set for release in early 2025.

For someone who has never heard Kiki Kramer before, I certainly did catch her “the old school way,” as she immersed herself in the nightlife and performed at Baby’s. Getting to see her was such a fun experience and her energy on stage and utilization of creative lyricism, willingness to experiment across genres and styles, as well as her charming personality all lent themselves for a very pleasant introduction to the world of Kiki Kramer.