Teen brothers Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm made a memorable debut on the America’s Got Talent stage with an original song that instantly won over the judges, but many viewers may not realize the young singers already have ties to one of music’s biggest global superstars.
The Hawaii-born duo, ages 15 and 16, performed their original track “Heartbeat” during the June 9 episode of America’s Got Talent, showcasing smooth vocal harmonies and a polished stage presence that earned four enthusiastic yeses from the judging panel. Their performance appeared to leave Simon Cowell especially impressed as the brothers advanced to the next round of the competition.
While the pair introduced themselves as teenagers from O‘ahu, Hawaii, they left out one major detail from their backstory: Nyjah and Zyah are the nephews of Grammy-winning superstar Bruno Mars.
The rising performers are the sons of Bruno Mars’ sister, Tahiti Hernandez Kemper, and professional surfer Billy Kemper. Although their famous family connection has drawn attention since their AGT appearance, the brothers have been building their own audience for years through social media, where they gained popularity performing old-school R&B classics, Hawaiian mele, and emotional ballads.
Their online following has continued to grow, with the duo amassing roughly 280,000 followers on Instagram and building an audience on YouTube while developing their music career.
Long before stepping onto the AGT stage, Nyjah and Zyah had already landed several high-profile opportunities. In November 2024, they appeared in a national campaign for clothing giant Gap Inc., introducing them to an even wider audience.
But perhaps their biggest pre-AGT achievement came through a project connected to their famous uncle. The brothers recorded a cover of Elvis Presley’s classic song Burning Love, which was later featured on the soundtrack of the 2025 live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch.
According to posts shared by the brothers, the track was produced by Bruno Mars himself. At the time, they publicly thanked their uncle for helping bring the project to life, sharing photos from the recording process.
Despite their family connection, Nyjah and Zyah appear determined to carve out their own path in the music industry. Their AGT audition marked another major step in that journey, with “Heartbeat” giving viewers their first look at the original music they hope will define their careers.
Now, after winning over the judges with their vocal chemistry and songwriting, the brothers are moving on to the competition’s next stage. Whether they ultimately win America’s Got Talent or not, Nyjah and Zyah have already proven they are much more than just Bruno Mars’ nephews — and their growing résumé suggests this may only be the beginning.
