Yung Kai

Biography

Max Zhang (born July 5, 2002), also known as Yung Kai (stylized in lowercase), is a Canadian singer and musician. He is known for his 2024 single "Blue", which went viral on TikTok and Instagram, peaking at 19 on the Billboard Global 200. It also reached the top 5 in the Philippines Hot 100 and Indonesia Songs editions of the chart, peaking at number one on the latter. He released his debut studio album Stay with the Ocean, I'll Find You×stay with the ocean, i'll find you26 September 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1blue3:342wildflower2:553how do you dance?3:224my light (我的光)3:185my love my love my love2:386do you think you could love me?3:567flower2:288tell me (a lullaby)2:069beach song2:4710think i'm falling3:1511i hope my cat loves me3:19, on September 26, 2025.

Early life

Max Zhang was born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in Shanghai, China, but later moved back to Burnaby. His older brother influenced him to learn how to play the drums, piano, and guitar as a child; he also produced music on the side, creating beats for fun starting in 2018.

Career

Yung Kai began singing in 2022, uploading covers of himself to TikTok, leading to collaborations with artists such as Bbno$. He received mainstream success in August 2024 when his single "Blue" went viral on TikTok and many other social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. He later became managed by the talent agency Wasserman.
In 2025, Yung Kai performed at Wanderland's tenth anniversary music festival. In April, he released a remix of "Blue" with Minnie. In July, he announced the Flower Moon and Star Tour, touring Asia, North America, and Europe. His debut studio album, Stay with the Ocean, I'll Find You×stay with the ocean, i'll find you26 September 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1blue3:342wildflower2:553how do you dance?3:224my light (我的光)3:185my love my love my love2:386do you think you could love me?3:567flower2:288tell me (a lullaby)2:069beach song2:4710think i'm falling3:1511i hope my cat loves me3:19, was released on September 26, 2025.
He received a Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2026.

Influences and artistry

Yung Kai is influenced by musicians Laufey, Keshi, Higher Brothers and Wave to Earth, whom he called his biggest inspiration. He was also inspired by rappers such as Juice Wrld, XXXTentacion, and Young Thug, despite his music being of a drastically different style. Yung Kai's music is created in his bedroom studio.