Artist Profile: Giraa
October 3, 2025 marked a major moment in pop culture. Taylor Swift released The Life of a Showgirl, her highly-anticipated twelfth album and first since engagement to Travis Kelce. Just four days after release, eleven of its twelve songs have secured over forty million streams. While the general public buzzed over the album’s clean production and easily-digestible songwriting, such bubblegum pop music is not to everyone’s taste. For those looking for a gritter sound that hits harder, we want you to meet Giraa.
At just age 20, the Washington, D.C.-based rapper has already found success from his introspective, atmospheric sound. He was inspired by the likes of Juice WRLD, XXXTentacion, and the more old-school Michael Jackson to pick up the mic to record.
His breakout track “Despise,” currently sitting at over 1.4 million streams on Spotify, pairs eerie synth washes and punchy percussion grooves. Over top of it is a vocal delivery that balances grit and vulnerability, a clear inspiration to the late great Juice WLRD.
From his 2025 album Elysian, songs like “Soy Mejor” capture D.C.’s late-night energy with restless, danceable, and a gritty optimism, giving listeners the sense they’re drifting through streets with stories to tell.
You can find Giraa on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Instagram. Also be sure to follow our Conundrum Nation Radio playlist for more artists like him.