Kali Uchis
A genre-defying artist who blends soulful R&B with Latin roots and retro aesthetics, crafting a lush, defiantly personal sonic universe.
Born 1994 (age 32)·American singer and songwriter·Birthday: July 17·Millennials
Biography
Kali Uchis built her world from the ground up, a fusion of Colombian and American sensibilities that defies easy categorization. Born Karly Loaiza in Virginia, she spent pivotal childhood years in Colombia, absorbing the sounds of salsa and bolero alongside '90s R&B. This hybrid foundation became her artistic bedrock. She first turned heads with a self-released mixtape that felt like a lost classic, leading to collaborations with artists like Tyler, The Creator and Gorillaz. Her official debut album, 'Isolation,' was a critical smash, a sun-drenched journey through heartbreak and independence. She then doubled down on her heritage, recording the Grammy-winning Spanish-language album 'Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios),' which topped Latin charts without concession. Uchis operates as her own muse, directing her vivid music videos and controlling her aesthetic, making her a modern auteur in pop.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kali was born in 1994, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kali Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Kali's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for '10%' with Kaytranada in 2021.
- Her Spanish-language album 'Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)' reached number one on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart.
- Her debut studio album, 'Isolation,' was included on year-end best-of lists by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and The Guardian.
- Received five Latin Grammy Award nominations across her career.
Did You Know?
She wrote and directed the music video for her early single 'What They Say'.
She dropped out of high school but later earned her GED.
Her stage name 'Uchis' is derived from a childhood nickname her father gave her, meaning 'little devil' in Colombian slang.
She is a self-taught musician, learning to play piano, saxophone, and flute by ear.
“I never wanted to be a star, I just wanted to make music that made people feel something.”
