Karly-Marina Loaiza (born July 16,1994), better known as Kali Uchis, is an American and Colombian singer. After releasing her debut mixtape Drunken Babble (2012), she released her debut EP Por Vida (2015). She released her debut studio album Isolation (2018) to widespread acclaim. Her second studio album and first Spanish-language project Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) (2021) spawned the single “Telepatía”, which became her first solo charting hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Her third studio album Red Moon in Venus (2023) became her first to debut within the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

Uchis was featured on Kaytranada’s 2019 single “10%”, which won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Her other accolades include an American Music Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and a nomination for a Latin Grammy Award.

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.” She also mentioned that she enjoys jazz, stating during her career beginnings that she draws musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Curtis Mayfield, Loose Ends, Ralfi Pagan, and Irma Thomas. She also takes influences from Celia Cruz, Salma Hayek, La Lupe, Selena, Shakira and Ivy Queen. Uchis also admires singer Mariah Carey.

Parents and family

Uchis was born Karly-Marina Loaiza in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 1994, the daughter of an American mother from Virginia and a Colombian father from Pereira. Her parents met during the late 1980s, and her father moved back to Colombia when Uchis was in high school. 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. She participated in a jazz band, 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. Her interest in photography led to her creating mixtape cover art. 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). 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 “Kali Uchis” by her father and adopted it as her stage name.

Kali Uchis was born to Colombian immigrant parents.

Loaiza is the only child of her parents. However, her mother had children from a previous marriage.

Husband and children

Uchis has been in a relationship with American rapper Don Toliver since 2020. She is openly bisexual, something she has often reflected in her music and public image.

Kali Uchis is at the moment not yet married and has no kids for now.

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