Kali Uchis
Karly Marina Loaiza[1] (born July 17, 1994), known professionally as Kali Uchis (/ˈuːtʃis/ OO-cheess), is an American singer and songwriter. After releasing her debut mixtape Drunken Babble (2012), she gained recognition for enlisting rapper Tyler, the Creator and Diplo to produce for her debut extended play, Por Vida (2015).[2] She signed with Virgin EMI Records to release her debut studio album Isolation (2018), which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and saw widespread acclaim. She then signed with Interscope Records to release her second studio album and first Spanish-language project, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) (2020). It spawned the single "Telepatía", which first gained virality on TikTok and marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 25, also receiving double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her third studio album, Red Moon in Venus (2023) peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, while her fourth album and second Spanish-language project, Orquídeas (2024) peaked at number two.
Kali Uchis
Karly Marina Loaiza
July 17, 1994
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
2012–present
Don Toliver (2020–present)
1
Uchis guest featured on Kaytranada's 2019 single "10%", which won Best Dance/Electronic Recording at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Her other accolades include an American Music Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and a nomination for a Latin Grammy Award.
Early life[edit]
Uchis was born Karly-Marina Loaiza in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 1994,[3][4] the daughter of a Colombian father and an American mother. Her parents met during the late 1980s, and her father moved back to Colombia when Uchis was in high school. Karly has Colombian citizenship,[5][6] and also resides in Pereira, the city of origin of her father.[7] She subsequently spent summers in Colombia with her father, uncles, and aunts. During the school year, she lived with her mother and older siblings. In high school, she learned to play the piano and saxophone.[8] She participated in a jazz band,[9] and graduated from Alexandria City High School (then called T. C. Williams High School). She often skipped class to spend time at the photo lab, making experimental short films.[3][10] Her interest in photography led to her creating mixtape cover art.[9] Skipping class and breaking the curfew set by her parents led to her being kicked out of her home. During this time, she lived in her car and wrote songs on her keyboard which would later appear on her debut mixtape Drunken Babble (2012).[11] She also wrote poetry and did not initially intend to sing, being more interested in directing films than being in the spotlight. She was given the nickname "Karluchis" and she would later modify to be used as "Kali Uchis".[3]
Career[edit]
2012–2016: Drunken Babble and Por Vida[edit]
Shortly after graduating,[10] Uchis released her debut mixtape, Drunken Babble, on August 1, 2012. The mixtape was described as "genre-defying", noted for its influences from doo-wop, reggae and early 2000s R&B.[12][13][14] In 2014, she collaborated with rapper Snoop Dogg on the song "On Edge" for his mixtape, That's My Work 3.
In February 2015, Uchis released her debut EP Por Vida for free download on her official website, and later on iTunes. The project featured production from various musicians, including Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood.[15][16][17] She embarked on her first tour during October 2015 with Leon Bridges, touring through the United States and parts of Canada.[18]
Artistry[edit]
Influences[edit]
Uchis stated that she is influenced by music of the 1960s, with its mix of early soul, R&B and doo-wop, saying: "Musically and aesthetically, the culture of it just inspires me."[69] She also mentioned that she enjoys jazz, stating during her career beginnings that she draws musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.[70] Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Curtis Mayfield, Loose Ends, Ralfi Pagan, and Irma Thomas.[69] She also takes influences from Celia Cruz, Salma Hayek, La Lupe, Selena, Shakira and Ivy Queen.[71] Uchis also admires singer Mariah Carey.[72]
Personal life[edit]
Uchis is openly bisexual, something she has often reflected in her music and public image.[73][74][75] She has been in a relationship with American rapper Don Toliver since 2020.[76] In January 2024, she announced that she was expecting her first child with Toliver via the music video for her songs "Tu Corazón Es Mio" and "Diosa".[77] She gave birth to a son the following March.[78][79]
Studio albums
