Karly-Marina Loaiza, known by her stage name Kali Uchis (/ˈuːtʃis/ OO-cheess), is a prominent American singer-songwriter. Her journey began with the release of her debut mixtape, “Drunken Babble,” in 2012, followed by her debut EP “Por Vida” in 2015. Kali Uchis garnered widespread acclaim upon the launch of her debut studio album, “Isolation,” in 2018.
Notably, her latest achievements include the release of her second studio album, “Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios),” in 2021. This project, her first in Spanish, gave rise to the chart-topping hit “Telepatía,” marking her inaugural solo appearance on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Uchis’s creative journey continued with her third studio album, “Red Moon in Venus,” in 2023, marking her first top 10 debut on the Billboard 200.
Kali Uchis’s artistic prowess extended to collaborations as well, notably featuring on Kaytranada’s single “10%” in 2019. This collaboration earned her the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Her accolades further encompass an American Music Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and a nomination for a Latin Grammy Award.
Born Karly-Marina Loaiza on July 17, 1994, in Alexandria, Virginia, Kali Uchis boasts a multicultural background, with an American mother from Virginia and a Colombian father from Pereira. Her parents’ meeting during the late 1980s led to a diverse upbringing. While her father returned to Colombia during her high school years, she spent her summers there, forging connections with her extended family.
During the academic year, she resided with her mother and elder siblings, all while honing her skills in playing the piano and saxophone. She became an active participant in her school’s jazz band, eventually graduating from Alexandria City High School, which was then known as T. C. Williams High School. Kali Uchis’s artistic aspirations were evident even during her formative years, as she experimented with photography and film. These early interests also led her to create her mixtape cover art.
However, her pursuit of artistic expression led to clashes with her parents, resulting in her leaving home. This period of challenge saw her living in her car, composing songs on her keyboard. These compositions later found their place in her debut mixtape, “Drunken Babble.” Interestingly, her initial focus was on directing films rather than being a vocal performer, a fact that underscores her multidimensional talents. The moniker “Kali Uchis,” gifted by her father, eventually became her chosen stage name.
2012–2016: Emergence with “Drunken Babble” and “Por Vida” Following her graduation, Kali Uchis took a significant step in her career by unveiling her debut mixtape, “Drunken Babble,” on August 1, 2012. This unique creation defied genres, seamlessly blending influences from doo-wop, reggae, and early 2000s R&B. A collaboration with rapper Snoop Dogg on the track “On Edge,” featured in his mixtape “That’s My Work 3,” marked a noteworthy milestone in 2014.
In February 2015, Kali Uchis’s debut EP “Por Vida” emerged as a groundbreaking project. Initially available for free download on her official website and later on iTunes, this endeavor showcased collaborations with notable artists such as Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, Kaytranada, and BadBadNotGood. Her creative exploration extended to live performances, as she embarked on her first tour in October 2015, joining forces with Leon Bridges for a captivating journey through the United States and parts of Canada.
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