Kaeyan bringing the heat in 2026
Kaeyan, one to watch out for this year.
Historically, Ireland has had a big rap tradition going back nearly 40 years, and old school artists such as Scary Eire helped pave the way in the ’90s. The 2000s were a fruitful time for rap here and Collie, Ophelia, Rob Kelly, Lethal Dialect and Nu Centz were a few of the names who made an impact, while the 2010s brought us Rusangano Family, Rejjie Snow, Jafaris and other still popular rappers and acts such as Kneecap and Kojaque. The 2020s have been arguably the most productive yet, and Denise Chaila, Citrus Fresh, JarJarJr, Hazey Haze, Strange Boy, Jordan Adetunji, Aby Coulibaby, Sweet Lemondae Curtisy, TraviS & Elzzz, Sello plus many more have blown up.
In 2025 I wrote about a new generation of young rappers who are pushing their music on a grassroots level and I spoke about the rapidly growing success of deathtoricky. Local artists here, such as Gomie, Craic Mob, Kestine, Traynor and Beddyminaj, are also making waves, and the scene is gaining nice momentum. It may not be mainstream but that’s irrelevant, just because something is out of sight it doesn’t mean it’s not here. Today I’m gonna feature one such artist I’m excited about, Kaeyan, whose music I have been playing a lot these last few months. Known for his razor sharp lyricism, raw energy, and unwavering authenticity, Kaeyan is bringing the heat in ’26, and I spoke to him about his progress so far.
I first came across this hard working young MC on TikTok and I started our recent chat by asking him why he became a rapper?
“Music has always been a part of me, I don’t know if rapping is what I’m supposed to be doing but I love it. It’s part of who I am now . Using it as a release, it’s how I journal basically”.
The music is in Kaeyan and, like many artists, he just has to get it down and put it out. He cites Santan Dave, Jay Z, Central Cee and Drake as influences but, like most Irish rappers at the moment, he is very much speaking in his own tongue. Coming straight out of North Dublin, his Why TF is Kaeyan mini album/mixtape came out in October and it’s full of bangers. Bualadh Boss, Kettama and Watch the Greatness are just a few of the tracks which demonstrate Kaeyan’s quick fire delivery, sharp lyrics and boundless enthusiasm.
I was very interested to learn about the production and about future projects.
“My producer GSD Benny does my beats. We work together and share ideas all the time” Kaeyan tells me. “The EP was really a work in progress, putting our minds together. I really enjoyed making the EP, it was very healing for me. I got a lot out and I was able to say what I wanted to say.”
Music is the ultimate form of therapy for many of us and Kaeyan tells me that there is another mixtape “looming around somewhere” but “right now it’s just singles and singles”. This all kicks off with the timely titled TROY PARROTT which drops next Monday, February 2.
Like all young rappers of his age, Kaeyan is full of ambition and is hoping for “some festivals in the summer and more shows definitely”.
We spoke about the Irish underground, and Kaeyan drops names such as “Skifuego , Ben Bills , Forgie, Beddy Minaj” when I ask who he’s checking. “And myself!” he quickly adds!
It’s not easy being an independent artist in 2026 and I finished my chat with Kaeyan by asking him about the challenges facing him right now. “It’s a bloody war zone, especially now; seeing how the whole “underground “ movement has come in. I feel like it’s very important to be authentic. Real to yourself. Personally to me that just means making music I enjoy. Less about the fans (who I love of course) and more about expressing me (myself)”.
Watch out for Kaeyan in 2026!
