Rising R&B Singer Kuzi Cee Signs With Universal Music Canada

Universal Music Canada is adding to its roster of recent Canadian signings.

Today (Feb. 5), the major label announced the signing of emerging singer Kuzi Cee, who has garnered listeners from across the globe, following the success of his breakout single, “Rather Be.”

The signing, led globally by the UMC team and in partnership with Mercury Records out of the United States, adds a homegrown R&B voice to the label.

The Zimbabwe-born, Calgary-based artist released the smooth ballad "Rather Be" last October. The nostalgic R&B sensibilities and modern production — the result of spending his formative years living in culturally dense cities like London, New York, Toronto and Pennsylvania — anchors Cee’s buttery vocals. It's a hit online, with over two million global audio streams and more than 37.5 million views across social platforms.

The artist let his dedicated online fanbase in on the process. Before its release, through a series of organic teasers, Cee began posting on TikTok, sharing early versions of the track, testing hooks, titles, artwork and final production elements based on what resonated most with them.

Kuzie Cee has already played at Calgary Stampede's Grandstand Show and supported artists like Michael Bublé, Jessie Reyez, Roy Woods and more.

As UMC's Canadian roster continues to grow across genres, Cee joins rising folk, lo-fi singer Ebril and jazz singer and pianist Elysia Biro as recent signings under the leadership of president and CEO Julie Adam and the new A&R team, which has also formed a partnership with songwriter and artist developer Lowell.

“I’m so excited to start this new chapter with the team at Universal Music — to tell my story and share my music with the world,” Cee says. “To everyone who’s ever taken a chance on me and my music, I can’t thank you enough. All of that support brought us to this moment. I’m ready to lace these kicks up, put pen to paper, and push R&B to every corner of the world.”

He continues: “And to the six-year-old Kuzi who fell in love with singing — I promise this is just the beginning.”

Kuzi Cee (center) with (L – R): Kwaku Agyemang, A&R Manager, UMC; Julie Adam, President & CEO, Universal Music Canada; Sean Bussiere, artist management; Amanda Kingsland, Vice President, A&R, UMCTobias Wong

Being an active, engaged artist on social media has often been the key to catching the attention of a record label.

“Kuzi’s voice is undeniable — and one that’s been on our team’s radar for some time. It’s been wonderful to watch him grow into his own as a storyteller and artist. Kuzi has an insatiable work ethic and the passion to back it up,” says Adam, Billboard Canada Women in Music 2025 Executive of the Year. “He pours everything he has into his art. We love his energy, and we’re so excited to be part of his journey.”