Inspired by the beaches of Hawai‘i and shaped by the streets of New York City, musician Royce Katsura, better known as Royce Fisherman, is making waves in the creative scene. With head-bobbing beats and music videos that tell a story, his sound defies easy labels—somewhere between indie-pop and rap.

“I don’t really know how to explain it,” Katsura laughs. “I’m kind of all over the place—but I know it’s Royce Fisherman. I just want people to be able to bob their heads and dance to my music.”

Born and raised in Mililani, O‘ahu, Katsura spent most of his life in the 808 before heading to the Big Apple to study Music Business at NYU. He first started making beats and rapping with friends during his sophomore year of high school, uploading tracks to SoundCloud “just for fun.” Like many recent graduates, his parents encouraged him to go to college—but it was at NYU, surrounded by other creatives, that he fell fully in love with music and discovered his artistic voice.

Watch any of his videos and you’ll notice a recurring fish motif. The “fisherman” persona, Katsura explains, was born during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During COVID, me and my friends picked up fishing as a hobby—like a lot of people in Hawai‘i,” he recalls. “It was one of the only things you could do to be outside. We didn’t really catch much, but we always had a good time together.” When he later moved to the mainland, the fishing memories stuck. “I wanted to keep my first name, Royce, and one of my friends joked that I should add ‘Fisherman’ since I was always fishing. And that’s how it started.”

From fish-headed background dancers in his song “HUH!” (off his new EP) to a talking menpachi painted fish in the “Locals” music video, Katsura’s visuals dive deep into what he calls the Fisherman universe. When asked where his ideas come from, he credits a lifelong love of storytelling.

Before music became his main outlet, Katsura was drawn to film—and even magic. “Even if it was basic magic tricks, I loved making up dumb stories that went with each trick,” he says with a grin. That same playful imagination now fuels his creativity as Royce Fisherman.

Whether through a sleight of hand, a short film, or a song, Katsura’s passion for building worlds and telling stories has always been there—it just found a new rhythm through music.

“I’ve always been a creative at heart, and right now music just so happens to be the thing that I am making and I’m really in love with–I’ll always be in love with music but there are a lot of other things that I want to incorporate.”

By the time you’re reading this, Katsura has already made the move back to New York City—a place he describes as “unmatchable” in energy and a constant spark for his creativity. “Hawai‘i and my experiences inspire my music, and New York allows me to craft those experiences in a fast-paced environment,” he says. “When I’m in New York, I’m always writing about my experiences in Hawai‘i. It’s probably because I miss home so much—especially during the winter when it’s snowing. I definitely pull inspiration from both places.”

Reflecting on his journey from Mililani to Manhattan, Katsura says both environments have been eye-opening. “Growing up in Hawai‘i has definitely shaped how I navigate the world and what I value. Family is really important to me, and it’s something I try to reflect in my music.” Proudly representing Hawai‘i, he hopes to serve as a bridge to a broader global audience.

“I take pride in being from Hawai‘i because there’s something to represent and stories to tell,” he explains. “I’m just one voice of Hawai‘i.”

Listen closely to his lyrics and you’ll hear familiar words and rhythms of home: “bumbai,” “gangy,” “choke,” and “akamai.” His verses are laced with nostalgic nods to local places and experiences—“Portlock swimming, rich religion,” “Cromwells so swell we ain’t leavin’.” Hawai‘i pidgin, island slang, and imagery of beaches and friends flow naturally through his songs. Katsura sees this as a way to share his culture, mixed heritage, and island upbringing with the world.

“I look at mainland rappers who really rep their cities—they own their slang and their stories,” he says. “If I can slide in some pidgin—like bumbai or choke—and make people curious enough to look it up, maybe that’s how they start learning more about Hawai‘i.”

Looking back on his five-year journey as Royce Fisherman, Katsura describes it as “surreal and rewarding.” Like many artists, he’s had his share of highs and lows, but the moments when he sees people singing along or vibing to his songs make it all worth it. His breakout hit “Billabong Babe” went viral on TikTok in early 2024, with thousands of users making videos featuring the track. Since launching his account in 2023, he’s earned millions of likes and views for his catchy songs and striking visuals.

Still, his proudest accomplishment isn’t the numbers—it’s showing his parents that he’s doing okay. “My parents have always been my biggest supporters,” he says. “They even make up their own dances to my songs. I’m very lucky to have them.”

Some of his favorite projects have come from collaborating with friends. He shouts out Julian Dobson for co-producing, mixing, and mastering “Guava Jelly” and directing the video for “HUH! (feel good)”; Riley Nakamura, who creates much of his cover art; and the many friends who’ve appeared in his videos, like “svs.”

“I have a great support system,” he reflects. “I didn’t realize how essential it is to have people who not only believe in you, but who you believe in too. You grow together. Working with friends—people I trust and love—makes the process fun. We’re all chasing this dream together.”

When it came time to release his debut EP in September, Katsura says it felt both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. “It was crazy when I was about to post it,” he laughs. “That project took months—maybe a year—to put together. It’s only about 20 minutes long, but there were hours of hard work behind every session and video. Seeing it finally come to life was so rewarding.”

As for what’s next, Royce Fisherman is back in New York but promises he’ll return to Hawai‘i soon. “Hawai‘i has so much to offer,” he says. “I want to help push more music and genres to come out of Hawai‘i. I’m experimenting with different sounds, working with new producers, and just trying to make cool music.”

Not familiar with Royce Fisherman? Start with “Guava Jelly.” Katsura says it captures everything he hopes to create as an artist—a sound that’s deeply rooted in Hawai‘i but ready for the world.

Royce Fisherman’s debut EP titled ‘Fish Out of Water’ is streaming on all major platforms. You can also find him @roycekatsu on Instagram, @roycefisherman on TikTok, and @RoyceFisherman on YouTube. 

About Jessica: Currently leading communications and community relations at FCH Enterprises, Inc. (aka @Zippys on the Internet), Jessica specialize in storytelling, community connection, and being chronically online. With a background spanning entertainment, events, and digital marketing, She thrives on bringing big ideas to life. Whether it’s launching a campaign, hosting a community event, or shaping a brand voice that resonates — if it brings people together with purpose and passion, she’s all in.