Local siblings turn message of kindness into music

Seina and Kai Johnson, 12-year-old twins, are everywhere in Culver City. 

You might have watched them rap at the La Ballona Fiesta this past summer, or maybe watched them perform at the Screenland 5K last Sunday. As the name of their hip-hop rap duo, THEM KIDS, implies, they are proud kids who bring infectious energy to Culver City events.

As they spoke, Seina and Kai hunched over slightly, nodding along to their father’s explanations about their music careers. This timid image is a stark contrast to their presence onstage; their quiet and shy demeanors replaced by animated performers rapping original songs — such as “LIKE THAT” and “HAVE FUN” — under the name THEM KIDS. 

The Johnson twins began playing piano when they were 3 years old — an introduction that set the foundation for their music journey. While they eventually stopped taking lessons (though Kai made sure to clarify that he continued piano lessons a year longer than Seina), this didn’t stop them from finding other musical outlets.

According to Kai and Seina, the first seed of inspiration for THEM KIDS was planted about three years ago when Kai began playing a melody on the piano as Van styled Seina’s hair.

“I just started rapping to Kai’s beats,” Seina explained. “I guess [my dad] saw that we enjoyed playing it.”

This spontaneous moment was followed by Sunday mornings spent tinkering around with the GarageBand app, coming up with melodies and writing lyrics. Fun singing sessions in the car led to new lyrics and ideas that would later contribute to original songs. Soon, Van was calling music producers to come up with beats. After getting the twins’ approval, THEM KIDS began releasing singles in 2024. 

Each song reflects Seina and Kai’s attitude towards life: think positively and dream big. 

“There’s a lot of negativity going on right now,” Kai said. “I think people need positive stuff. They need to hear that they’re good and they can be free.”

This message is heard loud and clear in their first single, “KINDNESS.” Kai and Seina spell out and repeat the word “kindness” throughout the song, threading in verses of encouragement to speak up and make a new path for yourself. 

In addition to celebrating their voices, THEM KIDS pay tribute to their Japanese heritage, bringing the language skills they developed with the Japanese Immersion Program at El Marino Elementary School into KINDNESS. 

“I just wanna live my way, sore ga kotae,” Kai announces in the song, smoothly slipping in a Japanese phrase that translates to the declaration, “That’s the answer.”

Seina and Kai’s second single, “KID PRESIDENT,” introduces their ambitions. THEM KIDS declare they want to be on top of the world as kings and queens, inviting listeners to join them. Their calls to aim high are balanced by an earnest emphasis on working hard and having fun while you do it.

Backed by energetic tracks and punchy beats,“KID PRESIDENT,” not only tells listeners to strive for more, but also acts as a great parallel to Kai and Seina’s identities as singers and students.

They are artists ready to take on the often difficult and fast-paced entertainment industry. Their favorite artists, like Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and SZA are not only sources of inspiration, but also have great careers and accomplishments — like winning a Grammy — that the Johnson twins aspire to emulate.

Already, the Johnsons are working towards this vision: they have a full schedule of events, song recording sessions, collaborations with music producers, and acting classes. They are taking the next step by releasing an EP titled “TOO EASY,” which is available to listen to today, featuring all four singles. Van says that they’re planning a THEM KIDS album and eventually, solo albums for each twin.

The twins’ involvement in THEM KIDS is only one of their activities. Seina and Kai attend Culver City Middle School, take Japanese classes, participate in the Associated Student Body (ASB), and go to soccer practice. According to Van, THEM KIDS is not their priority; school is.

“We don’t perform every day, we don’t also [sic] write [lyrics] every day,” Seina commented. “I think it’s kind of easy.”

The Johnson twins have a bright future to look forward to, but for the moment, they’ll be kids.

To learn more about THEM KIDS and check out their new EP, visit their Apple Music, Spotify, or Instagram.