4.11.2025
Cortisa Star Prepares World Takeover, Releases E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD), Her Debut EP
The Rising Artist Mixes High Fashion and the Internet Underworld in “EVIL AF” Video
Home to Buzzing Singles “MISIDENTIFY” and “PARIS” and Six Brand New Bangers, E.M.O.’s Bracing Sonics and Defiant Bars Mark the Official Arrival of One of Music’s Most Exciting Rising Stars
Critical Praise:
“At every level, Cortisa Star is shaking up the rap game” – DAZED
“The Delaware native first blew up on TikTok for raunchy bars about furry conventions and opium trade over blown-out bass beats” – Interview Magazine
“Cortisa Star is rap’s underground supernova” – The FADER
“It’s been a momentous few days for Cortisa Star, a 19-year-old Delaware-based rapper whose bombastic and risqué rap songs have become the latest obsession of X and garnered a co-sign from Charli xcx. If you’re new to her catalog, start with ‘Cortisa Crump,’ her February 2024 single that morphs a holy church hymnal into a bass-busting drill ripper.” – The FADER
The Announcement:
Cortisa Star is turning heads across the music and fashion industries with her brash and unapologetic bars and her overwhelming sonics. Giving the world one last warning before she commences her imminent takeover, the 19-year-old artist releases E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD), her dynamic debut EP, out now via Open Shift Distribution. Ferociously synthesizing genres like rage rap, hyperpop, rave, club music, drill, and more, and adding a blown-out edge, Cortisa’s new EP is a bracing, but addictive listen, teasing with hooks even as it pummels with distortion.
E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD), is home to the umru-produced single “MISIDENTIFY” and the globe-trotting rave-up “PARIS,” adding six more bangers for Cortisa’s fans to devour. The EP starts on a relatively subdued note with the bass-heavy “FITS,” which establishes Cortisa’s desire to flex on her numerous detractors: “They hatin’ from the jump, but I’m just chillin’ smokin’ hella green/They really mad at me for rappin’, b*tch I’m just a f*ckin’ teen.” After “FITS,” E.M.O. kicks into high gear, with “PARIS,” followed by the Jersey club-influenced “DRAMATIC,” and the frenetic rave-up “A LOT.”
Along with the EP, Cortisa shares the video for “EVIL AF,” the EP’s triumphant closing song. Layering her frayed vocals into an aural assault, Cortisa rocks an easy melody as she comments on her many contradictions: “Sometimes I be cute, but I’m evil as f*ck,” she states. In the video, the rapper and model cycles through glamorous looks as she raves with her posse, intercut with images of Cortisa ready to break out of a straitjacket.
E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD) continues Cortisa Star’s run as one of the most promising rising stars of 2025. Last month, the openly transgender artist and model walked the runway during Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show, earning coverage from Vogue, W Mag, i-D, Wonderland, The Face, and many others. Later in the week, Cortisa documented her French experience with the single “PARIS,” a ferocious club-ready heater that summarized her attitude during her first-ever European trip. “PARIS” followed “MISIDENTIFY,” produced by umru (Charli XCX, A.G. Cook) and DJH, a corrosive mission statement and aural attack, in which the openly-trans artist sets her sights on haters who hide behind computer screens. Cortisa spoke about her new music, fashion, and viral rise in recent interviews with DAZED, PAPER Mag, and The FADER, who called Cortisa “rap’s underground supernova.”
Cortisa Star’s viral rise started in late 2024 with “FUN,” her ear-bleeding anthem, which went viral in late 2024 along with its accompanying From The Block performance. With her clear-frame glasses, leopard-print coat, Spider-Man t-shirt, and her sexually frank, flex-heavy bars, she charmed and intrigued the online public–including stars like Charli XCX, who follows her on Instagram–racking up over 5 million streams in the process. After the release of “FUN,” Cortisa opened up about her viral fame in interviews with DAZED and Interview Magazine, establishing the young star as a burgeoning fashion icon.
Blazing her own trail and daring the rest of the world to catch up, Cortisa Star is ready to go supernova. Stay tuned for EMO, out April 11th via Open Shift Distribution.
Stream E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD): https://openshift.vyd.co/EMOEvilMotionOverload
Watch “EVIL AF”: https://youtu.be/Dv43QGZQgFs?si=ubG6sZsmwENApkLf
E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD) tracklist:
- FITS
- ALOT
- DRAMATIC
- MISIDENTIFY
- UP ft. Chase Icon
- BOMB
- PARIS
- EVIL ASF
Photo credit: @voltoio
Cortisa Star walking the runway at Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer Fashion Show at Paris Fashion Week
(Photo credit: Daniele Oberrauch/Gorunway.com)
Please contact Michelle or Chris for more info.
Links:
instagram | spotify | youtube | tiktok
Pre-save E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD) EP: https://openshift.vyd.co/EMOEvilMotionOverload
“PARIS”: https://openshift.vyd.co/CortisaStarParis
“MISIDENTIFY”: https://openshift.vyd.co/Misidentify
“FUN” (performed on 4ShootersOnly’s From The Block): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myKH6qlTekk
“FUN”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB4ymq1D_zY
“CORTISA CRUMP”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHkYtDiI2k