Riordan’s Kevin Carranceja ’21, better known as Karri, is creating a splash in the R&B scene as he begins to make his name known as one the biggest upcoming singers.
Coming to Riordan in 2017 and graduating in 2021, Karri was part of one of the last classes to experience the brotherhood, having an all-boys Riordan experience for most of his time on campus.
“It definitely built the foundation for how I moved,” Karri said. “All the teachers and counselors…always showed me love and I was really appreciated.”
His lasting impact on the Riordan community persists today. Matvey Kalachev ’25 is one of the many modern artists at Riordan who has the potential to be the next big artist. Kalachev, who makes music under the alias Mat, credits lots of his inspiration to Karri.
“Karri has been an inspiration throughout my own personal journey making music. I would look up to him as an artist who comes from the Bay Area, especially from Riordan,” stated Kalachev.
Kalachev continued, “Seeing Karri succeed reassures my own dreams that I could possibly make my mark on the music industry and it’s fun seeing Karri rep Riordan and give the school recognition.”
Antonio Dominguez ’25, who attended both of Karri’s alma maters, Riordan and Saint Thomas More School, greatly admires Karri and resonates with his success.
“Knowing Karri since middle school and also high school makes me feel proud that I was able to be around and go to the same schools as him because he has cemented himself in the music industry and made it a long way in such a short time.”
Dominguez continued, “When I heard the news that my favorite artist, Drake, sampled one of Karri’s songs, it made me happy for him because getting a song sampled from such a great artist would be an indescribable feeling.”
Initially bursting onto the scene in 2018, Karri first co-signed with fellow Bay Area artist Bankrol Hayden under the record label Bankrol Records.
Karri’s first true taste of success came in 2023 from his single, “3AM in Oakland.” With its soothing vocals and beat, combined with its resonation within Bay Area culture, it was a hit. The song especially found success on social media where it garnered thousands of videos. His talents eventually reached the likes of artists like Drake and Lil Baby who helped Karri seize the opportunity by co-signing him to one of Drake’s closest constituents, Chubb’s PFL records.
“You know growing up, that being my favorite artist, it’s kind of crazy, him showing me love,” Karri remarked when speaking on what it’s like working with Drake.
Under this new record label, Karri has continued to accumulate success by releasing his full EP, “Late Night Slider Music.” Karri officially won his first accolade by being named BillBoard’s R&B Rookie of the Month for January 2025.
Even after his time at Riordan, Karri continues to live out what he believes it means to be a Crusader.
“The brotherhood man…just showing love everywhere,” he expressed.
By embodying the core values of family and love, Riordan alumnus Kevin Carranceja’s music reverberates in the R&B industry under the name Karri.
