Kali Uchis Artistfacts

July 17, 1994
Kali Uchis was born Karly Marina Loaiza on July 17, 1994, in Alexandria, Virginia, to a Colombian father and an American mother. She is the youngest of five children.
She spent her formative years between Virginia and Pereira, Colombia, immersing herself in both cultures.
In high school, Uchis played the saxophone in the jazz band and taught herself piano. Her passion for the arts extended to photography and filmmaking; she often skipped classes to work on creative projects.
After being kicked out of her home during her senior year, Uchis lived in her car, writing songs that would later appear on her debut mixtape, Drunken Babble, in 2012.
"Kali Uchis" is derived from a nickname given to her by her father, combining "Kali" (a shortened version of her first name) and "Uchis," a term of endearment.
Her first album, Isolation (2018), earned critical acclaim for its eclectic mix of genres and its introspective lyrics. It rose to #34 on the American albums chart.
Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) (2020) was her first Spanish-language album. It includes the hit single "Telepatía," which became her first solo charting hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and went Double Platinum.
In 2021, Uchis won her first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for her collaboration with Kaytranada on the track "10%."
Uchis draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Selena, Shakira, and Sade, blending elements of soul, R&B, and Latin music into her work.
Known for her high-femme, vintage-inspired style, Uchis often incorporates bold fashion choices and surreal visuals into her music videos and performances.
She is fluent in both English and Spanish, often blending the two languages in her music to reflect her bicultural heritage.
Uchis is openly bisexual and incorporates this aspect of her identity into her music and public image.
She started a relationship with rapper Don Toliver in 2020, and unveiled a baby bump in the final scene of Toliver's "Bandit" video, confirming their pregnancy. She gave birth to their son in March 2024.
Uchis is vocal about social justice issues, including immigrant rights, and often uses her platform to raise awareness and support for marginalized communities. She regularly gives back to her community, including sending relief materials to her Colombian hometown.

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