Kali Uchis
Biography
Karly-Marina Loaiza, known professionally as Kali Uchis, is a Colombian-American singer and songwriter born on July 17, 1994, in Alexandria, Virginia. Raised between Virginia and Pereira, Colombia, she developed an early interest in music, learning to play the piano and saxophone in high school. After graduating, she released her debut mixtape, Drunken Babble, in 2012, which was noted for its blend of doo-wop, reggae, and R&B.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Uchis gained wider recognition with her 2015 debut EP, Por Vida, which featured production from artists like Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, and Kaytranada. Her debut studio album, Isolation, was released in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Jorja Smith, Tyler, the Creator, and Bootsy Collins. She received her first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance for her collaboration with Daniel Caesar on the song "Get You" and a Latin Grammy nomination for Record of the Year for her work with Juanes on "El Ratico".
Rise to Global Stardom
Her second studio album and first Spanish-language project, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞, was released in 2020. The album's single "Telepatía" became a global hit, gaining significant traction on TikTok and marking her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's success solidified her position as a prominent artist in both the English and Latin music markets. In 2021, she won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for her feature on Kaytranada's track "10%".
Recent Work and Artistry
Uchis has continued to release critically and commercially successful albums. Her third studio album, Red Moon in Venus, was released in 2023 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. This was followed by her second Spanish-language album, Orquídeas, in 2024, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Her musical style is noted for its genre-bending blend of R&B, neo-soul, pop, and Latin influences. Uchis has cited a wide range of artists as influences, including 1960s soul and R&B, jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, and Latin artists such as Celia Cruz and Shakira.
Discography
Studio Albums:
Isolation (2018)
Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞ (2020)
Red Moon in Venus (2023)
Orquídeas (2024)
Sincerely (2025)
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Kali Uchis has received numerous awards and nominations. She is a recipient of a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, and two Billboard Music Awards. She has also been nominated for multiple Latin Grammy Awards.