Meet Kali Uchis, the Colombian Chart-Topper Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

Jora Frantzis | Sacks & Co.
Jora Frantzis | Sacks & Co.

Kali Uchis (pronounced OO-chees) is a genre-bending, Grammy-winning, 26-year-old Latin American singer, songwriter, and director. Her second album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), is her first project in Spanish and is already breaking records for Latina artists.

Uchis grew up in Virginia and has roots in Pereira, Colombia. Influenced by pop, R&B, oldies, and soul, and often going from Spanish to English within the same song, her music is the perfect reflection of this cultural mix — no doubt a contributing factor to her crossover success.

She got her big break on stage and built a steady fan base as the opening act for Lana Del Rey's LA to the Moon tour, and after headlining Coachella. Her diehard fans call themselves "The Kuchi Gang," a tribe of mostly young women who fawn over her wild style and empowering energy.

While Uchis has consistently released hits since 2014, it's her viral hit "Telepatía" and its TikTok success that has taken her fame to the next level. Read ahead to get to know this one-of-a-kind star.

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Telepatia's Global Success

It's no wonder "Telepatía" became an instant hit with its Spanglish lyrics and infectious dreamy groove. The song quickly became a Tik Tok success and reached #2 on Spotify's Global Top 50 Charts. "The highest peak ever for a Latin song by a female artist," according to Spotify. It currently has 170 million streams on Spotify and climbing!

"The song happened so naturally, and I wanted the video to reflect that," she said of the clip she directed and shot in Colombia. "Kids and animals in the street, all improvisation, nothing overproduced or contrived. Just the beautiful natural magic of the country I have had the honor of also calling home my entire life."

Grammy Winner

On March 14th, 2021, she shattered yet another milestone for Latinas in music, taking home a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for her vocals on Kaytranada's song "10%". Watch her reaction to the win on this Twitter video, filled with gratitude and a fierce determination to continue climbing to the top.

J Lo is a Fan

Forget about Kali Uchis's Grammy win and her record-breaking songs for just a moment. You know she's made it when Jennifer Lopez is rocking out to "Telepatía" on Tik Tok.

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Vogue Beauty Secrets

Kali Uchis was honored by the Vogue gods to share her very own Beauty Secrets video. In her recreation of a 90s glam look, she takes us through her 38-step skincare and makeup routine. And even more surprising than the shaving of her eyebrows is the extra sweet, dipped-in-honey voice she reserves for the intimacy of her bathroom. Uchis's angelic, demure tone is a welcomed contrast to the fierce musical attitude she shows on stage. Don't miss her self-care and glam session and get a peek behind the curtain of the real Kali's life.

Kali's VIP Instagram

She loves to post photos from her home country of Colombia on her Instagram feed, where she has already reached 2.7 million followers. In her comments section, it's easy to find shoutouts from superstars like Becky G, Normani, Miguel, Chloe Bailey, and many more.

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Karol G's Album Teaser (Colombian Duo in the Making?)

After hearing Kali's voice on Karol G's new album teaser, the Kuchi Gang went wild with excitement at the prospect of an upcoming collaboration with the reggaeton queen. The two Colombian artists have developed a genuine friendship over the years, and while the collab didn't manifest on this album, rumors are still swirling as their fans patiently await this epic duo to unite.

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Dream Collab with Tyler, The Creator

Kali Uchis partnered with Tyler, The Creator, for in an unforgettable video for the song"After the Storm." These two might seem like an unlikely pair at first, but it's clear on the video these oddballs march to the beat of their own drum and complement each other's uniqueness. The clip racked up 75 million views on YouTube and the song already has 151 million streams on Spotify. Tyler, The Creator, has been a big supporter of Uchis and is not trying to hide it. "Big love, keep shooting heavy past the sky, all smiles towards you," he commented on one of her latest posts.

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Kali Uchis' Jimmy Fallon Solo Debut

How satisfying is it to hear Jimmy Fallon speaking Spanish? In case you missed it, last week Kali Uchis performed her chart-topping "Telepatía" on The Tonight Show. She did not disappoint in an ethereal, Roman-inspired look and flawless vocals. She's no stranger to The Tonight Show stage as she's performed before with Tyler, The Creator. This was, however, her first solo debut for one of the highest-rated late-night gigs an artist can land.