{{Short description|British rapper (born 2000)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Skaiwater | image = Skaiwater mar 2025.jpg | alias = skai, tigerstfu, skaiwater, Young Skai, tiger lily, Gigi, mothr, mia, manson | image_size = | caption = Skaiwater in 2025 | birth_name = Tyler Ryan Lee Jordan Brooks | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|8|31|df=yes}} | birth_place = Nottingham, U.K. | origin = Nottingham, U.K. | years_active = | genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|Jersey club|rage}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|record producer}} | label = {{hlist|GoodTalk|Capitol}} }} '''Tyler Ryan Lee Jordan Brooks''' (born 31 August 2000), known professionally as '''Skaiwater''' (previously known as '''Young Skai'''), is a British rapper and record producer from Nottingham. Brooks first rose to commercial fame on TikTok with the release of their{{efn|name=gender}} track, "#miles", as well as its accompanying remix featuring Lil Uzi Vert.
==Early life== Brooks was born in Nottingham, England on August 31, 2000, to a British-Jamaican mother and Sierra Leonean father, their younger brother Elijah was born a few years after.<ref>{{cite web |last=Medithi |first=Vivian |title=Cover story: skaiwater is post everything |url=https://www.thefader.com/2026/05/05/skaiwater-fader-cover-story-may-2026 |website=The FADER |publisher=The FADER, Inc. |date=May 5, 2026 |access-date=May 6, 2026 }}</ref> Growing up in Nottingham, they were inspired to make music by their parents. They were first introduced to music production by their father, around the age of eight or eleven. Around the age of 16, their father taught them how to record music. After buying a mic, and audio interface, they would continue to record music and would not stop. At 19, they would begin to take music production seriously.<ref name="complex-skaiwater">{{Cite web |last=Skelton |first=Eric |title=skaiwater on SoundCloud, genre‑blending and "rave energy" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/eric-skelton/skaiwater-interview-2024 |website=Complex |date=2024 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |language=en }}</ref>
== Career == In May 2021, Skaiwater released their mixtape ''Happy Hour'' with an appearance from American rapper Lil Keed.<ref name=allhiphop>{{Cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/music/skaiwater-unveils-happy-hour-mixtape-emani-visual/?expand_article=1|website=AllHipHop|title=Skaiwater Unveils 'Happy Hour' Mixtape & "Emani" Visual |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref> They gained popularity on TikTok with their hit single "#miles".<ref name=hnhh>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/449509-skaiwater-drops-new-album-rave|website=HotNewHipHop|title=Skaiwater Drops New Album "Rave"|date=12 November 2022 |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref> In November 2022, they released their album ''Rave'' with appearances from rappers Lil Uzi Vert, XLOVCLO, and Prentiss.<ref name="hnhh" />
In February 2024, Skaiwater released "Rain" which would go on to gain some traction online, garnering over two million streams on Spotify as well as over one million views on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Rashad |title=Why the unique Skaiwater is next face of hyperpop |url=https://rollingout.com/2024/05/28/unique-skaiwater-next-face-of-hyperpop/ |website=Rolling Out |date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |language=en }}</ref>
In March 2024, Skaiwater released "Light!" featuring Lil Nas X and 9lives. This marked the first feature of Lil Nas X's career and the second time the two artists have collaborated.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |title=Lil Nas X Delivers First Guest Verse of His Career on Skaiwater's 'Light!' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/lil-nas-x-first-career-feature-skaiwater-light |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Complex|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/C40VWn-uF7M/?igsh=OXRnODdibjRqcW4z | title=Instagram }}</ref> Their first collaboration occurring in 2018 on Lil Nas X's song "No Love".<ref name=":0" />
On June 14, 2024, Skaiwater released their long-awaited album ''#gigi'', with features from Lil Nas X, Karrahbooo and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zac |first=Mahon |title=Skaiwater: #gigi Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/skaiwater-gigi/ |website=Pitchfork |date=November 18, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |language=en }}</ref> Following the release of the album, they supported Bktherula on her ''I Just Wanna Be Me'' tour along with Yhapojj.
On February 14, 2025, Skaiwater released their second studio album ''#mia'', which included a feature from rapper/singer RADA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafontant |first=Olivier |title=skaiwater: #mia Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/skaiwater-mia/ |website=Pitchfork |date=February 25, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |language=en }}</ref>
On May 19, 2025, Skaiwater released EPs ''pinkPrint'' and ''pinkPrint 2'', after previously releasing them on SoundCloud under the alias 'lily'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahon |first=Zac |title=skaiwater: pinkPrint EP / pinkPrint 2 Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/skaiwater-pinkprint-ep-pinkprint-2/ |website=Pitchfork |date=May 20, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |language=en }}</ref> On June 13, 2025, Skaiwater completed their ''pinkPrint'' trilogy and released EP ''pinkPrint 3''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Bryson "Boom" |title=skaiwater Completes The pinkPrint Series In Stylish Finale, "pinkPrint 3" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/920491-skaiwater-pinkprint-series-stylish-pinkprint3-hip-hop-news |website=HotNewHipHop |date=June 16, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |language=en }}</ref>
On January 27, 2026, Skaiwater was featured on Korean girl group I-dle's digital single "Mono".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/020/0003690737|title=|last=Jeon|first=Hyo-jin|date=20 January 2025|access-date=1 February 2026|url-status=live|work=Dong-a Ilbo|script-title=ko:아이들, 27일 컴백…절제+아찔 움직임|language=ko|via=Naver|trans-title=I-dle's comeback on the 27th... moderation + dizzying movement}}</ref> On February 20, 2026, Skaiwater released a new album, titled ''wonderful''.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Baby Keem, Hen Ogledd, and Hilary Duff |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/new-albums-you-should-listen-to-now-baby-keem-hen-ogledd-and-hilary-duff/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=21 February 2026}}</ref>
== Personal life == Skaiwater is non-binary.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=skaiwater |number=1618695473002586113 |title=i am blessed to have a support system that isnt shy to accept or ask ab gender identity 2 clear it up for anybody afraid of offending identify as nonbinary + go by any pronoun}}</ref> They are of Jamaican descent and have lived in Los Angeles, US, since April 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/skaiwater-gigi-album-interview-1235710109/|title=Skaiwater Talks Online Ignorance, Lil Nas X & Making Their Soulful, Danceable New Album|date=14 June 2024|first=John|last=Norris|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref> Skaiwater cites how Travis Scott was one of their big inspirations as a teenager, their favorite album by Scott is ''Rodeo''. They also enjoy Kanye West,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hess |first=Tobias |title=9 things we learned in skaiwater’s FADER cover story |url=https://www.thefader.com/2026/05/05/takeaway-skaiwater-fader-cover-story-news |website=The FADER |publisher=The FADER, Inc. |date=May 5, 2026 |access-date=May 6, 2026 }}</ref> SZA, and Frank Ocean. Their favorite albums by West are ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' and ''808s & Heartbreak''. They also have a dog named Biggie.<ref name="complex-skaiwater" /> Biggie has made several cameos, as he's been featured on eight cover arts by Skaiwater, and has made his debut in the music video for "light!".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasmussen |first=Karl |title=Skaiwater Talks "#Gigi," Genre-Blending & What's Next |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/skaiwater-gigi-album-interview-1235710109/ |website=Billboard |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |language=en }}</ref>
== Discography == === Studio albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |- ! scope="row" | ''Rave'' | * Released: November 11, 2022 * Label: GoodTalk * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''#gigi'' | * Released: June 14, 2024 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''#mia'' | * Released: February 14, 2025 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''Wonderful'' | * Released: February 20, 2026 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
=== Mixtapes === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of mixtapes ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |- ! scope="row" | ''Happy Hour'' | * Released: May 5, 2021 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''Rave (NC)'' | * Released: March 3, 2023 * Label: GoodTalk * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
=== Extended plays === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of extended plays ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |- ! scope="row" | ''After God Fear Eve'' | * Released: June 6, 2019 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''Party Pack'' | * Released: December 2, 2020 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''I Don't Miss Her at All'' | * Released: December 20, 2021 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''pinkPrint'' | * Released: February 13, 2025 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''pinkPrint 2'' | * Released: April 4, 2025 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''pinkPrint 3'' | * Released: June 13, 2025 * Label: GoodTalk, Capitol * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
== Notes == {{notelist|refs= {{efn|name=gender|Brooks, while identifying as non-binary, goes by any pronouns.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=skaiwater |number=1618695473002586113 |title=i am blessed to have a support system that isnt shy to accept or ask ab gender identity 2 clear it up for anybody afraid of offending identify as nonbinary + go by any pronoun}}</ref> This article uses singular ''they'' for consistency.}} }} == References == {{Duplicated citations|reason=DuplicateReferences script detected: * https://twitter.com/skaiwater/status/1618695473002586113 (refs: 14, 18) |date=May 2026}}
{{reflist}}
== External links == * {{AllMusic|id=skaiwater-mn0004033726}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|United Kingdom}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skaiwater}} Category:2000 births Category:21st-century Black British musicians Category:21st-century British rappers Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people Category:Living people Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States Category:English people of Jamaican descent Category:English non-binary musicians Category:English record producers Category:Black British male rappers Category:Black British rappers Category:British male rappers Category:Musicians from Nottingham Category:English rappers Category:Non-binary rappers