Artist Spotlight: Kori

Photos shot by Daniel Krause and John Krug

Rap's biggest stars have continued to deliver in 2026. Artists like Drake, Future, and Don Toliver have all added to their already impressive catalogs, reminding listeners why they remain fixtures at the top of the genre. Still, alongside those household names, another movement has become impossible to ignore.

The underground has emerged as one of the year's defining forces, transforming niche internet communities into launchpads for rap's next generation. Artists like diamond*, Pz', Tezzus, Nine Vicious, Xaviersobased, Molly Santana, and OsamaSon have cultivated devoted fanbases while reshaping the genre's sonic landscape, proving that influence isn't measured solely by chart positions, but by the ability to move culture.

Among the newest voices to emerge from that movement is Lima, Ohio rapper Kori, better known as korisokoko. After introducing herself to a wider audience with a breakout performance at Rolling Loud this past May, Kori is beginning to carve out a lane of her own with her debut EP, when I realized. The 12-track project strikes a compelling balance between vulnerability and confidence, weaving introspective songwriting into the distorted melodies and hard-hitting production that have become synonymous with this new era of underground rap.

"I genuinely just realized I'm worth more than these words they applied to me," Kori says when asked about the meaning behind the project's title. "Sadness and heartbreak, if you want me to be honest. I went through a lot in Atlanta. Every single song on that project was a song that I made when I was working my way into the Atlanta scene. This project is a mixture of both happy and sad emotions."

That emotional duality defines the project. Kori's unfiltered reflections sit comfortably alongside booming trap and plugg production, creating a listening experience that feels equally cathartic and exhilarating. Songs like "projectionx," "expecting none, but the less always comes," and "anora" reveal an artist wrestling with self-doubt, relationships, and the weight of newfound attention. Moments later, tracks like "xit," "lax," and "pity party" flip that narrative, trading introspection for swagger as Kori delivers braggadocious bars over bass-heavy, rage-inspired production. The contrast never feels forced, but instead, it mirrors the emotional highs and lows that come with chasing a career in music.

The project's lone feature comes from fellow underground standout skaiwater on "atlanta." "Skai is awesome to work with and extremely supportive. He even embraced me the day I did Rolling Loud," Kori recalls. After exchanging a few Instagram DMs, the two finally connected, with skaiwater delivering a memorable guest verse in his signature distorted style that fits seamlessly within the record's sonic palette.

In many ways, when I realized feels like a form of therapy. Across its runtime, Kori confronts the uncertainty, excitement, heartbreak, and self-belief that accompany an artist trying to establish themselves in today's internet-driven music landscape. The internet can elevate an artist overnight just as quickly as it can move on, but Kori's willingness to be vulnerable may prove to be her greatest strength. Drawing inspiration from artists as sonically different as Playboi Carti and Men I Trust, she has already begun crafting a sound that feels distinctly her own. If when I realized is any indication, Kori isn't simply another promising name from the underground; she's an artist with the foundation to build something lasting.