Blab Music
Molly Santana and North West Announce 14-Show "Kimokawaii" Co-Headlining Tour for August 2026
On June 16, 2026, the music world received a headline‑making announcement: Molly Santana and 12‑year‑old North West will headline a 14‑date tour that will run from August 5 in Dallas to August 27 in Los Angeles. Dubbed the "Molly x North Kimokawaii Tour," the itinerary includes stops in Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Boulder, Colorado. The name references the Japanese term "kimokawaii," a blend of "kimochi warui" (disgusting) and "kawaii" (cute), a playful nod that hints at the duo’s contrasting yet complementary styles.
The tour comes at a time when both artists are riding waves of commercial momentum. Santana’s recent feature on Drake’s "Ran to Atlanta" climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the track stay at the top of the Billboard 200 for four weeks. Her own single "Can't Touch This" broke into the Hot 100’s top 40, expanding her audience beyond traditional rap listeners. Meanwhile, North West released her debut EP "N0rth4evr" on May 1 through Gamma, a record that has already generated significant streaming activity and serves as a teaser for her forthcoming studio album.
The idea of a co‑headlining run was first teased when the pair shared a stage at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash festival in Chicago on June 14. Organized by music‑video director Cole Bennett, the event attracted a crowd that included both artists. Bennett’s platform is known for spotlighting emerging rap talent, and the collaboration between Santana and North West fits neatly into the festival’s contemporary hip‑hop focus.
Ticketing details were unveiled alongside the tour announcement. A presale opens on Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by a general sale on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available through the artists’ official websites and major ticket‑resale partners, and the full schedule—including venue capacities and set times—is listed on Live Nation’s site. The lineup of 14 cities spans key U.S. markets that historically support high‑profile hip‑hop performances.
From a business perspective, the partnership offers strategic benefits for both acts. Santana’s touring schedule dovetails with the release of her latest single, providing a live platform to promote new material. North West’s EP has already driven streaming numbers, and the tour gives her a chance to convert listeners into concertgoers. Cross‑promotion on the artists’ social‑media channels is expected to amplify reach, while the "Kimokawaii" branding taps into a niche aesthetic that has gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
As of now, the itinerary is confirmed and ticket sales are set to begin mid‑June. Fans can look forward to additional promotional content—potential music videos, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and social‑media teasers—in the weeks ahead. The final Los Angeles dates will coincide with the city’s summer music festival circuit, opening opportunities for media coverage and live broadcasts. The "Molly x North Kimokawaii Tour" is positioned to be a standout event in the 2026 summer concert calendar, blending Santana’s established rap swagger with North West’s experimental flair and appealing to a broad, culturally diverse audience across the United States.
The tour comes at a time when both artists are riding waves of commercial momentum. Santana’s recent feature on Drake’s "Ran to Atlanta" climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the track stay at the top of the Billboard 200 for four weeks. Her own single "Can't Touch This" broke into the Hot 100’s top 40, expanding her audience beyond traditional rap listeners. Meanwhile, North West released her debut EP "N0rth4evr" on May 1 through Gamma, a record that has already generated significant streaming activity and serves as a teaser for her forthcoming studio album.
The idea of a co‑headlining run was first teased when the pair shared a stage at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash festival in Chicago on June 14. Organized by music‑video director Cole Bennett, the event attracted a crowd that included both artists. Bennett’s platform is known for spotlighting emerging rap talent, and the collaboration between Santana and North West fits neatly into the festival’s contemporary hip‑hop focus.
Ticketing details were unveiled alongside the tour announcement. A presale opens on Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by a general sale on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available through the artists’ official websites and major ticket‑resale partners, and the full schedule—including venue capacities and set times—is listed on Live Nation’s site. The lineup of 14 cities spans key U.S. markets that historically support high‑profile hip‑hop performances.
From a business perspective, the partnership offers strategic benefits for both acts. Santana’s touring schedule dovetails with the release of her latest single, providing a live platform to promote new material. North West’s EP has already driven streaming numbers, and the tour gives her a chance to convert listeners into concertgoers. Cross‑promotion on the artists’ social‑media channels is expected to amplify reach, while the "Kimokawaii" branding taps into a niche aesthetic that has gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
As of now, the itinerary is confirmed and ticket sales are set to begin mid‑June. Fans can look forward to additional promotional content—potential music videos, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and social‑media teasers—in the weeks ahead. The final Los Angeles dates will coincide with the city’s summer music festival circuit, opening opportunities for media coverage and live broadcasts. The "Molly x North Kimokawaii Tour" is positioned to be a standout event in the 2026 summer concert calendar, blending Santana’s established rap swagger with North West’s experimental flair and appealing to a broad, culturally diverse audience across the United States.
