“In a school that claims to champion creativity, student voice, and the arts, it is nothing short of outrageous—borderline unconstitutional—that Lil Kai, the only Latin rapper in the entire building, has not been crowned Artist of the Week even once,” senior Charlie Yannias said. “Somehow, the literal prodigy walking the halls has been overlooked like a lost-and-found water bottle.”

Latin freshman Kayomi Olusanya, also known as Lil Kai, has garnered over 15,000 plays on Spotify and an even greater number on Apple Music. What sparked his popularity at Latin was his number one song, “GETTIN’ LOW,” and he continues to release music regularly.

His journey began two years ago in McLean, Virginia, where Kayomi and his friend, performing under the name Devrum, received a facetious diss track from some of their classmates. They then returned the favor, and in doing so, Kayomi discovered his musical passion. He has been making music ever since.

As his work becomes more popular among Latin high schoolers, a growing number of students now rally in favor of Kayomi winning the title Artist of the Week.

Senior Jack Ramsey said, “Everyone knows him, and they literally played his songs at Homecoming.”

But not only is Kayomi’s music popular among the senior class, students across the Upper School know of his musical prowess.

Freshman Ishan Desai, who helped compose the beat for one of Kayomi’s tracks, said, “His ability to sample beats and weave them through a musical melody is uncanny.”

In fact, Kayomi not only raps but also releases songs of entirely different genres, such as hip-hop and pop. “I listen to Kayomi when I'm up, and when I'm down,” freshman Oliver Granat said. “For me, he's extremely versatile.”

Lil Kai himself expressed his grief over the situation. “It’s absolutely despicable that I haven’t been recognized this far into the year,” Kayomi said. “I’ve contacted the Art Department about it, but it’s never happened. I’m disappointed.”

At this point, the omission of Lil Kai from Artist of the Week begins to resemble a catalog of history’s great, baffling injustices. Galileo was exiled for saying the Earth moves; Ignaz Semmelweis was ridiculed for suggesting doctors wash their hands; Van Gogh sold exactly one painting in his lifetime; and now, apparently, a student whose music is played at Homecoming and streamed by thousands cannot secure a laminated shout-out from the administration. Future textbooks may struggle to explain how an institution managed to recognize gravity, germ theory, and post-impressionism only after the damage was done—while still somehow missing Lil Kai in real time.

“He shouldn’t be Artist of the Week,” Charlie joked. “He should be Artist of the Year.”