We are thrilled to officially announce Kindred as the winner of the Groove Cruise x Beatport x LabelRadar Global DJ/Producer Contest, earning a performance slot aboard Groove Cruise Miami 2026, sailing January 22–26, 2026 on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.
This marks the first-ever collaboration between Groove Cruise, Beatport, and LabelRadar, uniting three leading forces in dance music to create a platform that helps emerging artists launch their global careers.
Read more about the contest here.
The international contest drew nearly 700 submissions from DJ/producers around the world, each bringing their own sound and vision to the stage. A panel of Groove Cruise judges, together with Beatport’s A&R experts, narrowed the field to a shortlist of standout finalists, each submitting a 30-minute mix highlighting their creativity and technical skill.
Ultimately, Kindred captured the judges’ attention with her polished production, emotional live vocals, and cohesive storytelling through sound, transforming her mix into a fully immersive experience.
“I am beyond grateful for this incredible opportunity! It’s my very first Groove Cruise, and the fact that I get to perform on it makes it even more special,” said Kindred. “I can’t wait to experience this journey at sea with all of you beautiful people.”
The contest also recognized two exceptional finalists whose submissions impressed both judges and fans.
First Runner-Up: NIGHTJARS
A rising duo from Quebec known for their emotional, cinematic melodic techno sound.
Prizes include:
Second Runner-Up: Arobyss
A bass house firestarter inspired by UK grit and American rave energy,
Prizes include:
Both runners-up are featured across Groove Cruise and Beatport’s official channels, highlighting our ongoing commitment to uplifting emerging artists worldwide.
As the Grand Prize Winner, Kindred will:
With a total prize package valued at over $5,000, this contest offers one of the most significant opportunities in the global dance music scene for emerging talent.
Kindred joins a growing list of Groove Cruise alumni who have turned contest wins into full-fledged careers, including Doc Brown, Sham, and Alley Kay, each of whom transformed from fan to mainstage performer through the Undiscovered DJ Contest.
Now, we take that legacy global, providing a platform for aspiring producers to share their sound, connect with fans, and perform at sea alongside world-class artists.
Hailing from Maryland, Kindred is a multi-talented artist whose sound blends soulful songwriting with cinematic bass and melodic dance elements. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, ICON Collective, and IO Music Academy, she’s worked with Adventure Club, Crankdat, and Stryer, and released on major labels including Ultra, Circus Records, and Subsidia.
Her emotional production and live vocals make her a natural fit for the Groove Cruise stage, a setting where connection and creativity meet.
Follow Kindred and hear more of her music here!
Kindred will perform alongside over 100 artists across 13 stages aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, featuring global dance icons like John Summit, Cloonee, Green Velvet, and more.
While Groove Cruise Miami 2026 is officially sold out, you can still join the waitlist for a chance to sail and witness Kindred’s debut performance at sea!
Join the waitlist now at groovecruise.com
Sign up HERE for the latest Groove Cruise news, exclusive discounts, merch promos, and to be notified when a new cruise is launched!
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