Richmond’s Own Khaysie Redefines Music with “Hip-HOpera” — A Bold Fusion of Opera and Urban Sound

Bay Area tenor and visionary artist Khris Sanchez, known to the world as Khaysie, is breaking boundaries with the debut of Hip-HOpera—a self-created genre blending the grandeur of classical opera with the pulse of modern urban music.

A graduate of the University of Michigan’s prestigious vocal performance program and recipient of a full scholarship from the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra, Khaysie is a master of piano, harp, and operatic voice. His artistry bridges centuries of tradition with today’s most dynamic sounds, fusing opera’s soaring vocals with hip-hop, R&B, EDM, salsa, and reggaeton.

Since 2017, Khaysie has crafted a cinematic and immersive sound that moves effortlessly from powerful operatic passages to modern, beat-driven cadences. His career highlights include sharing the stage with Josh Groban and Jason Mraz at an exclusive Half Moon Bay gala, performing with West Edge Opera and Berkeley Chamber Opera, and co-founding The Next Bay Area Runway, a platform merging music, fashion, and dance through flagship events and AAPI Heritage Month celebrations.

This year, Khaysie will make his operatic debut with the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus on June 8, 2025, marking a milestone in a career defined by innovation and cross-genre artistry.

“Hip-HOpera is more than a sound—it’s a movement,” says Khaysie. “It’s about honoring tradition while daring to push boundaries and create something entirely new.”

Looking ahead, Khaysie plans to expand Hip-HOpera to national and international stages, grow The Next Bay Area Runway into a multi-city cultural platform, and collaborate with luxury brands to create immersive digital and live experiences for fans worldwide.

Connect with Khaysie:

Instagram: @thekhaysie

Spotify: Listen Here