Cortisa Star is a 19-year-old rapper, model, and cultural firestarter reshaping what it means to be an artist in 2026. Born in Baltimore and raised in rural Delaware, she emerged from the digital underground with nothing but BandLab, boldness, and a fearless sense of self. What started as a TikTok joke — calling herself an “underground rap princess” — quickly became a movement.

Her breakout single “Fun” went viral in early 2024 after a raw From The Block freestyle, racking up over 5 million global streams and pushing her unapologetically trans identity into the mainstream. While the track sparked controversy, it also earned co-signs from Charli XCX, Lil Nas X, Doechii, and Arca, and landed her features in The FADER, Dazed, Out Magazine, and Pitchfork.

Cortisa’s music fuses distorted 808s, Jersey club rhythms, and chaotic hyperpop energy — as heard on her debut EP, E.M.O. (Evil Motion Overload), released in April 2025. Produced by umru and other underground heavyweights, the project showcases her sharp lyricism and emotional intensity across standout tracks like “Misidentify” and “Paris,” which references her runway debut at Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2025 show.

In fashion, Cortisa has quickly become a muse for the new generation. With a self-described “maximalist junk” aesthetic — equal parts thrift-store ravewear and Tumblr girl glam — she’s been featured in Vogue, i-D, The Face, and W, and is signed to Next Models. Her runway appearances and fashion editorials make her one of the few openly trans artists blurring the lines between music, style, and identity at a global level.

With over 20 million streams, a growing presence in both rap and fashion, and a message that refuses to be diluted, Cortisa Star is not just a rising artist — she’s a cultural force.