Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis
Uchis performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name Karly-Marina Loaiza
Born (1994-07-17) July 17, 1994
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • music video director
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • saxophone
  • piano
Years active 2012–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website kaliuchis.com

Karly-Marina Loaiza (born July 17, 1994), known professionally as Kali Uchis, is a Colombian-American singer and songwriter. She debuted in the music industry with her 2012 mixtape, Drunken Babble, which was described as "genre-defying". She released her first EP, Por Vida, in 2015 to further recognition. Her debut studio album, Isolation, was released in 2018 to widespread acclaim.

Early life

Karly-Marina Loaiza was born on July 17, 1994 in Alexandria, Virginia.[1][2] Her parents moved from Pereira, Colombia to the United States in the early 1990s, fleeing the conflict in Colombia. Uchis and her family moved around back and forth between the U.S. and Colombia. She started elementary school in Colombia and moved back to the U.S. in third grade. Uchis graduated from T. C. Williams High School, but said she often skipped classes to spend time at the photo lab, making experimental short films.[1][3] While growing up, she learned to play piano and saxophone.[4] She also wrote poetry, songs and music, but did not initially intend to sing, being rather more interested in directing films than being in the spotlight. She was given the nickname "Kali Uchis" by her father.[1]

Career

2012–2014: Drunken Babble

Shortly after graduating,[3] 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.[5][6][7] In 2014, she collaborated with rapper Snoop Dogg on the song "On Edge" from his mixtape, That's My Work Volume 3.

2015–2016: Por Vida

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.[8][9][10] She embarked on her first tour during October 2015 with Leon Bridges, touring through the United States and parts of Canada.[11]

In 2016, her song "Sycamore Tree" from Por Vida was used in teasers for the television series American Horror Story: Roanoke.[12]

2017–present: Isolation

Kali Uchis performing in March 2017.

On April 28, 2017, Gorillaz's fourth studio album, Humanz, was released, which included songs that feature Uchis, namely "She's My Collar" and the bonus track "Ticker Tape".

On May 22, 2017, Uchis released "Tyrant", featuring English singer Jorja Smith, to serve as the first single from her then-upcoming debut studio album. On June 20, she announced her first headlining tour, specifically a North American tour in support of the album. The tour took place from August to October 2017, starting at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco, with a stop at the Pop Montreal music festival.[13] Uchis then released "Nuestro Planeta", featuring Reykon, as the second single from the album on August 25, 2017.[14]

On September 27, 2017, Lana Del Rey announced that Uchis would be joining her as an opening act on select North American arena dates of her world tour, the LA to the Moon Tour. Uchis supported Del Rey from January 15, 2018, to February 16, 2018.[15]

In October 2017, Uchis was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year for "El Ratico", her collaboration with Colombian musician Juanes.[16] She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for "Get You", her collaboration with Canadian singer Daniel Caesar.[17]

On March 14, 2018, Uchis performed on The Tonight Show and announced her debut album, Isolation.[18] It was officially released worldwide on April 6, 2018.

Musical style and influences

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."[19] She also mentioned that she enjoys jazz, stating during her career beginnings that she draws musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.[20] Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Curtis Mayfield, Loose Ends, Ralfi Pagan and Irma Thomas.[19]

Discography

Concert tours

Headlining

  • North American Tour (2017)
  • In Your Dreams Tour (2018)

Supporting

References

  1. 1 2 3 Diaz, Jaquira (July 13, 2017). "Who Is The Real Kali Uchis?". The Fader. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  2. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Kali Uchis | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Wisniewkski, Angela (September 13, 2017). "Kali Uchis talks immigration, 'Showgirls,' and her deceptively sweet music". Metro Times. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  4. ↑ Beaudoin, Kate (March 12, 2015). "This Incredible Colombian Pop Star Is About to Make It Big in America". Mic. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  5. ↑ Weiss, Alex (April 6, 2018). "Kali Uchis Is a Self-Made Pop Star". Paper. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  6. ↑ Younger, Briana (April 22, 2014). "Kali Uchis: 'I'm An Artist In Every Sense Of The Word'". Bandwidth. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ DePollo, Adam (October 25, 2013). "Flow Culture: Kali Uchis surprises with genre-defying debut mixtape". The Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ Leight, Elias (February 3, 2015). "Kali Uchis Talks 'Por Vida,' Working With Snoop & Tyler, The Creator & Twitter Stalking Bootsy Collins". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  9. ↑ Minsker, Evan (February 3, 2015). "Kali Uchis Shares Por Vida EP Featuring Tyler, the Creator Production". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ Brydon, Grant (March 2, 2015). "Track By Track: Kali Uchis – 'Por Vida'". Clash. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Kali Uchis to Join Leon Bridges on North America Fall Tour".
  12. ↑ Whyte, Woodrow (August 1, 2016). "Here's the True Identity of the Mysterious Voice on Those AHS Teasers". PopBuzz. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Kali Uchis announces 2017 North American Tour". Illroots. June 21, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  14. ↑ Cacouris, Christina (August 25, 2017). "A New Spanish-language Kali Uchis Single "Nuestro Planeta" Just Dropped". V. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  15. ↑ Kim, Michelle; Strauss, Matthew. "Lana Del Rey Announces Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  16. ↑ Mcphate, Tim (October 7, 2017). "Kali Uchis Talks Juanes, Colombia & Lana Del Rey Tour". Grammy.com. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  17. ↑ Merril, Philip (December 19, 2017). "Who Will Win Best R&B Performance?". Grammy.com. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Kali Uchis announces debut album Isolation". DIY. March 15, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  19. 1 2 Wilkinson, Dan (November 24, 2014). "2,4,6,8... we appreciate kali uchis". i-D. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  20. ↑ Smith, Thomas (April 16, 2018). "Kali Uchis: The Making of A Modern Icon". NME. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
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