As beautiful as British Columbia can be, often the non summer times can feel very grey. A lot of the cold rainy cloud days can feel repetitive and dull. So why not listen to an artist from Vancouver that matches the city’s vibe? That’s exactly why I listen to EKKSTACY’s music. EKKSTACY, formally known as Khyree Zienty, is a 24 year old who grew up in Vancouver and you can really see how his music reflects that. While most pop stars try to have uplifting lyrics or melodies, EKKSTACY authentic sound is what separates him from others. But, just like how his music style is untraditional, so too is the path he took that brought him to success.
EKKSTACY’s rise is the ultimate example of the SoundCloud to superstardom pipeline. He began creating music in his late teens, teaching himself to produce while channeling personal struggles and PTSD into his tracks. EKKSTACY wrote and recorded his first single “Stupid Kids” in his Vancouver home and released it to SoundCloud and TikTok. It wasn’t soon after in 2021 when he would release his breakout hit “I walk this earth all by myself”. The song became a smash and would see over 4,000,000 listens on Spotify just from that song alone.
What makes his sound so captivating is the evolution. While his early work was rooted in bedroom pop, his 2025 album FOREVER and the 2026 follow-up forever and always have leaned heavily into his love for Vancouver’s guitar lineage drawing inspiration from local legends like Japandroids.
“Their shit makes me feel something that other bands don’t make me feel… Japandroids give me this fucking visceral feeling. They’re like, ‘Let’s fucking go out and party, let’s get hammered and let’s get depressed.’ It’s perfect. They’re the best band ever.” Said EKKSTACY
His recent 2026 single “Bloody Eyes” (a collaboration with fellow local act Passion Mango) shows he’s still pushing those genre boundaries, mixing shoegaze fuzz with trap-influenced rhythms.
Despite his massive global numbers, EKKSTACY remains deeply connected to the BC scene. You’re just as likely to see him playing a massive festival like Just Like Heaven in California as you are to find him playing at the RickShaw theatre July 5th. He represents a new kind of BC artist, one who doesn’t need traditional radio play to build an empire. He’s built a cult following by being unapologetically himself. And has been able to make listeners of his music feel connected to the music due to its heavy lyrics.