Kydis Watts

Kydis Watts | Full Biography

At just 16 years old, Auckland-based artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Tīpene-St Stephen student Kydis Watts is breathing fresh, independent life into modern neo-soul. Operating from his bedroom studio, Kydis handles songwriting, instrumentation, and production himself, demonstrating a level of sonic maturity that belies his age.

Heavily inspired by the laid-back pocket of icons like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, his work is built for the ultimate "head-bop, face-scrunch" groove. This vision comes to life through his standout focus single, "Black & Gold." Fully written, composed, and self-produced in his bedroom studio, the track is a poignant, soulful homage to his boarding school brothers at Tīpene, written to mark the emotional end of a chapter as he prepares to graduate. Blending rich R&B keys with raw, reflective storytelling, the track earned national acclaim as a Play It Strange finalist. Beyond his solo work, Kydis also showcases his talent as a producer through a powerful collaborative partnership with fellow new artist Tāwai Kingi (Samuel Peterson). On their single "Makaurau," Kydis produced the original track while both artists penned and performed their own verses—seamlessly weaving Kydis’s smoky keyboards with Tāwai’s vocals and ancestral tauparapara (Māori chant). As part of the historic 2025 Tīpene relaunch cohort, Kydis and Tāwai represent a bold new wave of young independent artists pushing boundaries together.

For 16-year-old Kydis Watts, the ability to stand confidently alongside industry giants is no coincidence. It is a strength forged through a rare caliber of mentorship that shapes both his character and his sound. Under the guidance of Motown royalty like Ronald LaPread (The Commodores) and renowned producer Nic Manders, alongside media voice Tim Roxborough, master carver & independent artist Arekatera (Katz) Maihi, and his Tīpene co-principals Nathan and Yvette Durie, Kydis has absorbed a maturity and wisdom far beyond his years. Melding classic "face-scrunching" neo-soul grooves with fierce instrumental freedom, Kydis isn’t just making waves in the wake of his mentors—he is carving his own unique path, carrying an unwavering kindness, and paving the way for rangatahi all over the world.