Music

SKAI ISYOURGOD’s Cantonese Drip Takes Over the West
By James Moreau | 12 Dec, 2025

Catchy melodies and TikTok virality makes SKAI ISYOURGOD a global sound.

Chinese rapper SKAI ISYOURGOD (揽佬) lays down a unique lane in global hip-hop with anchors in Cantonese and Hakka cultures with a sound reminiscent of Memphis-style rap.

His 2024 sophomore album Stack from All Sides (八方来财) broke through in the West.  The lead track of the plural name (八方來財) draws comparisons to a Metro Boomin production for its cold, haunting melody surrounded with booming 808s. SKAI ISYOURGOD’s understated Mandarin Mob boss flow includes lyrics that translate into “come wealth, come.”

The lyrics misheard as “Sushi don’t lie” sparked trends on TikTok turning SKAI’s boast into a bizarre catchphrase.  Further popularization of the Cantonese-influenced song came from its inclusion on the NBA 2K26 soundtrack.

“Stacks from All Sides” is SKAI’s most popular Spotify track with over 113 million plays.

Its music video segues into “Karma Code” (因果), a track with percussion akin to Memphis rap.

“Blueprint Supreme” (大展鴻圖) became an immediate cultural lightning rod for its high-pitched sample of the famous 1957 Cantonese opera The Flower Princess (帝女花).  SKAI’s lyrics describe grand ambitions of wealth with mention of items found in lavish Cantonese homes including karaoke sets, fish tanks, and tea sets.

The 27-year-old artist is from Huizhou, Guangdong and studied performing arts in Sichuan.

His recent popularity has yielded 3.9 million monthly Spotify listeners – the most of any Chinese artist.  Many of his followers claim 0% understanding but 100% vibing.