Kai Cenat: From Twitch Streamer to One of Music’s Biggest Influences | Billboard Cover

Billboard cover star Kai Cenat has gone from being a Twitch streamer to one of the most influential figures in the music industry. The influencer shares his journey from learning the ropes of hip-hop music to becoming a music industry commentator. He discusses his thoughts on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, how he manages his relationships with artists, the process of inviting artists over, and his advice for those wanting to start streaming, and more!

Kai Cenat:

I want to go to space, like, I want to be the first streamer in space. I feel like that’d be crazy, like going to the rocket, going up to space, saying, “Yo, chat,” come back down. I feel like that’ll be crazy. When I started streaming, the majority of my content was, like, blowing up based off of me just reacting to different songs and like we had to do different music when they dropped and albums when they dropped, and just enjoyed it for what it was. And then certain clips and certain videos from that stream would go crazy, and then everybody just loved it.

Damien Scott: 

You’ve done very well for yourself. Forbes has you as the highest-earning Twitch streamer. You had a hell of a 2024. Became most subscribed streamer on Twitch, Mafiathon 2. 

Yep.

Which was incredible to watch a feat of social engineering and just content overall. That, plus a number of other things, has you covering Billboard’s annual Power 100 issue. 

That’s crazy. 

Did you ever think you would be- 

Heck, no. Billboard is insane. I grew up looking at things that like Billboard had posted in the past, and different people that’s been on Billboard already, and it’s definitely insane. 

You remember any of the songs back when you were still making skits, you were still in the Bronx? What music were you gravitated to and were you listening to? 

No, I was listening to… I did straight Michael Jackson up until high school. 

What do you mean straight Michael Jackson? 

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