Without a label or mainstream presence, hip-hop- and R&B-influenced singer and rapper Arizona Zervas amassed a devoted following that boosted streams of his early singles into the millions, culminating in 2019's viral smash single "Roxanne" and a subsequent deal with major-label Columbia. Since hitting number four on the Billboard Hot 100, Zervas has released over a dozen tracks -- including collaborations with 24kGoldn and Rich the Kid -- and has continued to blur the line between hip-hop and pop with his naturally casual style.

Despite his name, Zervas was born and raised in Maryland in 1995. Writing since high school, he uploaded his early songs online, building an audience with his freestyles and tracks including his 2016 debut, "Don't Hit My Line." Blending the styles and deliveries of influences like Drake, Post Malone, and Migos, Zervas alternated melodic choruses and rapped verses, covering topics such as bad relationships, blossoming fame, and youthful hedonism. With each successive song, his streaming numbers increased exponentially over the course of a dozen singles and an EP, 2018's Living Facts. In 2019, he made his breakthrough with the help of a viral social media campaign for his song "Roxanne." Released independently in October, the melodic pop-rap earworm catapulted Zervas to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 after it was picked up by Columbia. Meanwhile, he topped the charts in New Zealand and Belgium and rose into the Top Ten around the globe. Zervas returned in 2020 with "24," "Nightrider," and "RIP," and in 2021 was similarly productive, issuing "Still Breathing," "C U L8R," and "Snowman." All of these songs quickly achieved streams in the millions, with "Nightrider" most popular of all. Doubly prolific in 2022, he added to his catalog with tracks such as "Oh My Lord" (featuring 24kGoldn), "Holy Trinity" (with Rich the Kid), and "2 AM." ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi