Kali uchis is the one who drives

Whether it’s her dazzling look or her eclectic music—both of which become even more pronounced on Isolation, her debut full-length album—Kali Uchis has always been someone who stands out. But as the culture she was born into spreads across the world, the singer might find herself facing the very norms she’s always sought to escape. We sat down with her to discuss it all.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN FRENCH ON YARD.MEDIA

As we make our way to Kali Uchis’ hotel room in Paris, one of her previous interviewers bids us farewell with a knowing “Good luck!”—a subtle warning, perhaps, suggesting that the artist isn’t always the easiest to pin down. A moment later, we’re greeted by a radiant yet somewhat intimidating Colombian, her face framed by a thick layer of makeup, evoking the glamour of an ’80s pin-up. We’ve barely exchanged a few words before she suddenly pauses, stretches out comfortably on the couch, as if instinctively posing for a camera that, for now, remains tucked away. Kali Uchis conveys a lot through image alone.

Her music paints a pastel-hued universe, flirting with kitsch aesthetics and blending the dreamlike quality of Kevin Parker, the groove of Bootsy Collins, and the spontaneity of Tyler, The Creator—all of whom make an appearance on Isolation, released in April. The album cover itself reflects this harmonious chaos, featuring the yellow, blue, and red of the Colombian flag—a tribute to the Latin culture that Karly-Marina Loaiza (her real name) infuses into her art. Yet, at a time when Latin music is taking the global stage—evidenced by the success of artists like J Balvin and Luis Fonsi—Kali Uchis finds herself in the spotlight, paradoxically aligning with trends she has always shunned.

In April, you released your debut album, Isolation. Before that, you had a song called “Loner.” Is solitude something you need, or just something you’ve grown accustomed to?

I think it’s a need. Everyone feels like being alone sometimes—it’s natural.

Is that “isolation” a response to rejection?

Not really. I just think that, as a human being, you shouldn’t feel the need to blend in with society or seek validation. It’s not about rejection—it’s about following your own convictions, trusting your intuition, and not letting external factors define you.

People often say your music sounds like it’s from another era. Do you take that as a compliment?

I’m not sure. I guess it depends on which era we’re talking about… [laughs]

Which eras resonate with you when it comes to music?

I like… [She pauses to think.] Honestly, I think every era has had great music, even the one we’re living in right now.

And today, which artists do you think are making great music?

In general, I appreciate artists who are honest in their music, who tell their own stories. That’s what makes their work special. They stand out because they share something real with their audience—stories from their own lives. Not everyone will relate to what they’re saying, but it’s always inspiring to hear different perspectives. That’s why I love music that gives me insight into an artist’s personality, that lets me understand who they are. Sometimes, it’s not even about the lyrics—some songs don’t say anything personal—but it’s about the energy they put into it. I just prefer artists who channel their true energy into their music rather than catering to what they think people want to hear.

In “Miami,” you sing: “Why would I be Kim? I could be Kanye.” What was going through your mind when you wrote that?

It actually relates to a past relationship I had, like three years ago. Back then, it felt like everyone wanted to be Kanye. So many guys idolized him—artists, too. And because they all wanted to be Kanye, they all wanted their own Kim—a beautiful girl they could dress up, tell what to do, what to wear. They wanted a woman as an accessory, not as someone with her own voice and artistry. I struggled to find my place in relationships because of that. It was hard to find a guy secure enough to let me have my own opinions, to just let me be me. That’s been my whole life. And you can see it in my music—I’ve always drawn strength from artists who were not only creative but also outspoken and unafraid to voice their thoughts.

And in the “Bound 2” music video, which you reference, Kanye is the one driving…

Exactly—that’s the point! It’s my way of saying I’m not sitting in the back of someone else’s bike. I’m the one in control.

As a Colombian and Spanish speaker, how do you explain the recent boom in Latin music?

It’s interesting that it’s happening just now because Spanish has always been one of the most spoken languages in the world, just like English. It should’ve always been this way. When you consider how huge the Latino community is in the U.S., it’s crazy that it took this long for our music to be recognized. I just hope it’s not a passing trend—because it’s sad when cultures and languages are treated like trends. For people living in Colombia, or Latinos in the U.S. who’ve had to navigate dual identities, it’s not a fad. It’s a struggle. In the past, so many Latin artists had to distance themselves from their roots just to get by. And now, suddenly, everyone wants to make Spanish songs because it’s “cool.” That’s disappointing. But at the same time, it’s great for the artists who’ve been doing this for years and are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Let’s just hope it’s not temporary, like every other industry trend.

Why is it important for you to sing in Spanish or translate your English songs?

I’ve been bilingual since birth, so for me, it’s about finding a balance between the American and Colombian sides of me. I always have to remember where I come from—my roots, my culture. Sometimes, the words just come to me in Spanish. Or sometimes, I’ll just decide, “I want a Spanish version of this song.” But I never force it. I never think, “Oh, Spanish is trending, I should make a Spanish song.” That’s pathetic. Make a Spanish song if you feel like it—end of story. But capitalizing on a culture just because it’s trendy? That’s the opposite of authentic.

What memories do you have of Colombia?

I remember the way back from school, the weather was warm and sunny, then all of a sudden it would start to rain, so there were beautiful rainbows. I would hurry home to then play with my cousins in the street. There were trucks selling all kinds of food, and we would eat outside while listening to the music playing on the radio. I have a lot of memories in the street because I feel like Colombia is one of those places where you never stop living, no matter the time of day or night. People are always hanging out outside their homes; it’s very natural there. You never need to call or use the internet to meet up. I used to live with my cousins back then, and I only have good memories of that time. We would take baths in large basins used for washing clothes, which we’d fill with water to make a kind of little pool. [laughs] My cousins were like my sisters: we helped each other daily, shared everything, and each of us had a key role in each other’s life. Like a real family. I feel like there’s less of this “family culture” in the United States; everyone is more distant. Here, you don’t spend as much time with family as you would in Colombia.

Right after leaving Colombia, you first landed in Virginia...

Actually, we kind of found ourselves between America and Colombia for a while. What I mean by that is that I stopped going to school in Colombia at the age of 7, but we would always return during Christmas or summer holidays. So, I spent most of my school years in Northern Virginia, not far from D.C., and Colombia kind of became my second home, where the rest of my family still lived.

Was it hard to adapt to this new environment?

Not really, since my whole family quickly joined us in Virginia. My dad would constantly invite my uncles to live with us, so my house more or less became the first place where you would stay before you could live on your own. When my uncles and aunts decided they wanted to live in the United States, my dad would help them find a job, and they would stay with us for about a year until they had enough money to afford their own apartment. My room had three extra beds where my aunts and cousins would sleep, and the same thing happened in my brother’s room with my uncles and cousins. [laughs] It was like there was a room for the girls, a room for the boys, and my parents' room. So, the house was always packed, at least until I went to high school. From then on, it was mostly empty.

Virginia is still a particularly fertile territory artistically. Did you listen to or get inspired by any local artists?

N.E.R.D. was something significant for everyone I went to school with. It's a group that influenced many musicians in general, especially from our generation, but I think it was even stronger in our area. Virginia Beach [where the members of N.E.R.D. are from] is only a few hours from where I went to school, so it was really local. There’s also Missy Elliott, of course. I also remember when Chris Brown started, everyone in Virginia was very proud of him. I had teachers who always liked to remind us that they had talked to him or had pictures with him. But yes, the fact is there are many talented artists from the DMV Area [the region linking Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia]. But it’s mostly about Northern Virginia, because if you go to the South, it’s a whole different world, there aren’t many artists there... [She thinks.] Although, there are still a few. The Clipse are from there, for example.

The question arises because the values you hold align with those of other artists from Virginia: Pharrell has always been outspoken as a nonconformist, Missy Elliott is a woman who has never been afraid to do what men have always been allowed to do, etc.

Yes, I think I’m lucky to have grown up with so many artists to look up to. They are brave, bold, and they use their voices and creativity to do exactly what they want. As we speak, I don’t know if the new generations will have such role models to look up to.

Pharrell has also influenced another artist with whom you seem very close: Tyler, The Creator. What can you tell us about him?

I can definitely tell you that he loves Pharrell. [laughs] More seriously, everything with him is natural. The thing is, I never seek to collaborate with anyone, especially not with people I feel I couldn’t get along with in real life. I will only work with people where I feel there is genuine reciprocity in the energy exchanged. Artists who do their own thing, regardless of whether they’re successful or not. Tyler is one of those.

In the song "In My Dreams," you imagine a kind of utopian world where everything is beautiful, everything is perfect. What do you think when you then have to face the reality of the world we live in?

I think it’s mostly a matter of perspective. Because it’s clear that there are terrible things happening in the world right now, but when you think about it, terrible things have been happening since the dawn of time. And while there will always be bad things, we can also be sure that there will be many beautiful things to see.

This track is followed on the album by an interlude titled "Gotta Get Up." What makes you want to wake up from your beautiful dreams?

[laughs] That’s a tough question. I guess it’s the fact that if I stayed in bed all day, I wouldn’t be able to make progress. [laughs] I have to get up and keep moving forward, and the same goes for all of us; we have to make the most of the time we have to live on this earth to do better each day. Personally, I think I still have a long way to go in my career, and there are still many things I need to accomplish to continue growing as a person. So, that’s why I wake up in the morning: to keep building my empire and finish everything I’ve set out to do in the long term.