Kali Uchis: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Kali Uchis fuses doo-wop nostalgia, Colombian boleros, psychedelic soul and reggaeton into a sound she built between Alexandria, Virginia and Pereira, Colombia. This mix traces the vintage torch singers and Latin standards behind her voice, the DIY beat scene that gave her a first break, and the artists she's since opened doors for.

The Kynda mix for Kali Uchis

• Key Influence · Nada Fue un Error by Coti (2005). Uchis grew up between Alexandria, Virginia and Pereira, Colombia, and Latin pop-rock radio staples of the mid-2000s shaped her bilingual songwriting long before she recorded in Spanish. She has consistently framed Colombian and wider Latin American popular song as the reason she insisted on releasing a full Spanish-language album, Sin Miedo, rather than staying inside American R&B conventions.
• Influencia Obscura · La Rebelión by Joe Arroyo (1986). Beyond the obvious cumbia references, Uchis's Colombian palette reaches into salsa caleña and Afro-Colombian rhythm from the Pacific coast — the music of the region around Pereira and Cali. Arroyo's account of enslaved resistance in Cartagena is the canonical Colombian salsa record, and its horn-driven tropical swing underlies the percussion textures scattered across Sin Miedo and Orquídeas.
• Local Roots · Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn (2020). Uchis emerged from the DMV/Virginia orbit before relocating, and her career was built through underground rap networks rather than pop A&R — early cosigns came from Snoop Dogg and Tyler, the Creator, and she has moved fluidly between R&B and hardcore hip-hop features. Westside Gunn's luxury-brutalist rap represents the same crate-digging, art-directed corner of the underground that first amplified her.
• Beyond the Medium · Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda (1962). Uchis directed or co-directed her own early videos ('Ridin Round,' 'Know What I Want'), building a retro-cinematic visual identity of 60s pastels, vintage cars and beauty-parlor femininity. Varda's portrait of a pop singer wandering Paris awaiting a medical result is the foundational text for that mode: glamour photographed as anxiety, the chanteuse as both image and author of the image.
• Peer · Flower Boy by Tyler, the Creator (2017). Tyler produced and appeared on Uchis's Por Vida ('Ridin Round'), took her on tour, and features on 'After the Storm' from Isolation alongside Bootsy Collins. Flower Boy is his own pivot toward the lush, jazz-chorded soul palette that his work with Uchis had been testing — the two artists' mid-2010s trajectories are effectively intertwined.
• From the Canon · Isolation by Kali Uchis (2018). Her debut album for Virgin EMI, assembled with an improbable cast: Thundercat, Damon Albarn, BadBadNotGood, Tyler, the Creator, Bootsy Collins, Steve Lacy and Kevin Parker. It moves from bossa nova ('Just a Stranger') to reggaeton and doo-wop without seams, and its critical reception established her as a genuine auteur rather than a featured-vocalist commodity.
• Key Collaborator · Drunk by Thundercat (2017). Thundercat co-wrote and played on Isolation, and his fluid, chord-melting bass is central to that album's jazz-fusion undertow. Drunk, made with Flying Lotus at Brainfeeder, is his own statement of the same aesthetic — Kamasi Washington, Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins all appear — and it explains where Isolation's harmonic strangeness and elastic groove actually came from.
• Legacy · Mañana Será Bonito by Karol G (2023). Uchis and Karol G, both Colombian, recorded 'Labios Mordidos' together in 2023, and Uchis's insistence on Spanish-language R&B helped widen the lane for Colombian women crossing between urbano and pop. Mañana Será Bonito became the first all-Spanish album by a woman to top the Billboard 200 — the commercial ceiling Sin Miedo had pushed against three years earlier.

What influenced Kali Uchis

• Billie Holiday (1915). Uchis cited Billie Holiday as a musical inspiration. (also via Lady Sings the Blues) “she draws musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday” (Wikipedia)
• Björk (1965). Uchis named Björk as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• Lana Del Rey. Uchis named Lana Del Rey among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday (1956). Lady Sings the Blues (Billie Holiday) — titan for Kali Uchis “== Artistic influences == 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 enjo…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ella Fitzgerald. Uchis cited Ella Fitzgerald as a musical inspiration. “she draws musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday” (Wikipedia)
• Curtis Mayfield. Uchis named Curtis Mayfield as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• Loose Ends. Uchis named Loose Ends as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• Ralfi Pagan. Uchis named Ralfi Pagan as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• Irma Thomas. Uchis named Irma Thomas as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• Celia Cruz. Uchis named Celia Cruz among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Mariah Carey. Uchis named Mariah Carey among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• La Lupe. Uchis named La Lupe among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Selena. Uchis named Selena among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Shakira. Uchis named Shakira among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Ivy Queen. Uchis named Ivy Queen among her influences. “She also takes influences from Celia Cruz , Mariah Carey , La Lupe , Lana Del Rey , Selena , Shakira and Ivy Queen” (Wikipedia)
• Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda (1962). Cléo from 5 to 7 (Agnès Varda) — culture for Kali Uchis (wikidata.org)
• The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo (1939). The Two Fridas (Frida Kahlo) — culture for Kali Uchis (wikidata.org)
• Nada Fue un Error by Coti (2005). Nada Fue un Error (Coti) — titan for Kali Uchis
• Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez (1940). Bésame Mucho (Consuelo Velázquez) — titan for Kali Uchis
• La Rebelión by Joe Arroyo (1986). La Rebelión (Joe Arroyo) — ghost for Kali Uchis
• Cómo Fue by Beny Moré (1958). Cómo Fue (Beny Moré) — ghost for Kali Uchis
• Natti Natasha (1986). Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) (Kali Uchis) — legacy for Natti Natasha (via Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios))

Peers and kindred spirits

• Tyler, the Creator (1991). Tyler, the Creator produced on Por Vida. (also via Flower Boy) “The project featured production from various musicians, including Diplo , Tyler, the Creator , Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood” (Wikipedia)
• Kaytranada. Kaytranada produced on Por Vida. “Kali Uchis was featured on the single " 10% " by Canadian producer Kaytranada , which was taken from his album Bubba” (Wikipedia)
• Steve Lacy. Uchis collaborated with Steve Lacy on 'Just a Stranger'. (also via Apollo XXI) “The album's fourth and final single, "Just a Stranger", featuring Steve Lacy , was released on October 29, 2018” (Wikipedia)
• Thundercat. Uchis appeared in Thundercat's music video. (also via Drunk) “Uchis appeared in Thundercat 's music video for " Dragonball Durag "” (Wikipedia)
• Flower Boy by Tyler, the Creator (2017). Flower Boy (Tyler, the Creator) — peer for Kali Uchis “The project featured production from various musicians, including Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ventura by Anderson .Paak (2019). Ventura (Anderson .Paak) — peer for Kali Uchis “Past performers at the concert include The Game, Jay Rock, Kali Uchis, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla Sign, Cordae, Freddie Gibbs, Masego, Thundercat and Schoolboy Q.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Drunk by Thundercat (2017). Drunk (Thundercat) — collaborator for Kali Uchis “On February 27, 2020, Uchis appeared in Thundercat's music video for "Dragonball Durag".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Apollo XXI by Steve Lacy (2019). Apollo XXI (Steve Lacy) — collaborator for Kali Uchis “The album's fourth and final single, "Just a Stranger", featuring Steve Lacy, was released on October 29, 2018.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Snoop Dogg. Uchis collaborated with Snoop Dogg on 'On Edge'. “In 2014, she collaborated with rapper Snoop Dogg on the song "On Edge" for his mixtape, That's My Work 3” (Wikipedia)
• Diplo. Diplo produced on Por Vida. “The project featured production from various musicians, including Diplo , Tyler, the Creator , Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood” (Wikipedia)
• BadBadNotGood. BadBadNotGood produced on Por Vida. “The project featured production from various musicians, including Diplo , Tyler, the Creator , Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood” (Wikipedia)
• Leon Bridges. Uchis toured with Leon Bridges. “She embarked on her first tour in October 2015 with Leon Bridges , touring through the United States and parts of Canada” (Wikipedia)
• Humanz by Gorillaz. Uchis featured on Gorillaz's album Humanz. “the fifth studio album by Gorillaz , Humanz , was released and included songs featuring Uchis” (Wikipedia)
• Jorja Smith. Uchis collaborated with Jorja Smith on 'Tyrant'. “Uchis released " Tyrant ", featuring English singer Jorja Smith , to serve as the lead single from her then-upcoming debut studio album” (Wikipedia)
• Juanes. Uchis collaborated with Juanes on 'El Ratico'. “Uchis was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year for "El Ratico", her collaboration with Colombian musician Juanes” (Wikipedia)
• Daniel Caesar. Uchis collaborated with Daniel Caesar on 'Get You'. “nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for " Get You ", her collaboration with Canadian singer Daniel Caesar” (Wikipedia)
• Bootsy Collins. Uchis collaborated with Bootsy Collins on 'After the Storm'. “" After the Storm ", a track featuring Tyler, the Creator and Bootsy Collins , was issued as the third single” (Wikipedia)
• Mac Miller. Uchis collaborated with Mac Miller on 'Time'. “Uchis collaborated with American R&B band Free Nationals and American rapper Mac Miller on the single " Time "” (Wikipedia)
• Free Nationals by Free Nationals (2019). Uchis collaborated with Free Nationals on 'Time'. “Uchis collaborated with American R&B band Free Nationals and American rapper Mac Miller on the single " Time "” (Wikipedia)
• Little Dragon. Uchis featured on a Little Dragon remix. “Uchis was featured on Little Dragon's 6th studio album, New Me, Same Us for a remix of the song, "Are You Feeling Sad?"” (Wikipedia)
• Rico Nasty. Uchis collaborated with Rico Nasty on 'Aquí Yo Mando'. “Uchis released the song " Aquí Yo Mando " alongside American rapper Rico Nasty” (Wikipedia)
• Jhay Cortez. Uchis collaborated with Jhay Cortez on 'La Luz'. “" La Luz " with Jhay Cortez was released as the album's second single on October 1, 2020” (Wikipedia)
• Jowell & Randy. Uchis collaborated with Jowell & Randy. “"Te Pongo Mal (Préndelo)" with Jowell & Randy , was released as the album's sole promotional single” (Wikipedia)
• Don Toliver. Uchis collaborated with Don Toliver on 'Drugs N Hella Melodies'. “her boyfriend Don Toliver released a collaboration with Uchis titled "Drugs N Hella Melodies"” (Wikipedia)
• SZA. Uchis collaborated with SZA on 'Fue Mejor'. “Uchis released the single "Fue Mejor" with SZA” (Wikipedia)
• Raye. Raye was a special guest on Uchis's Red Moon in Venus tour. “released on March 3, 2023, with an accompanying tour featuring special guest Raye” (Wikipedia)
• Benny Blanco. Benny Blanco produced 'Moonlight'. “Uchis released the song " Moonlight " as the second single for Red Moon in Venus , featuring production credits from Benny Blanco , Cashmere Cat , and Leon Michels” (Wikipedia)
• Cashmere Cat. Cashmere Cat produced 'Moonlight'. “Uchis released the song " Moonlight " as the second single for Red Moon in Venus , featuring production credits from Benny Blanco , Cashmere Cat , and Leon Michels” (Wikipedia)
• Leon Michels. Leon Michels produced 'Moonlight'. “Uchis released the song " Moonlight " as the second single for Red Moon in Venus , featuring production credits from Benny Blanco , Cashmere Cat , and Leon Michels” (Wikipedia)
• Karol G. Uchis collaborated with Karol G on 'Me tengo que ir'. (also via Mañana Será Bonito)
• El Alfa. Uchis collaborated with El Alfa on 'Muñekita'. “a new single titled " Muñekita ", with Dominican rapper El Alfa and American rapper JT from City Girls” (Wikipedia)
• JT. Uchis collaborated with JT on 'Muñekita'. “a new single titled " Muñekita ", with Dominican rapper El Alfa and American rapper JT from City Girls” (Wikipedia)
• Jennie. Uchis featured on Jennie's song 'Damn Right'. “Uchis has been featured in the song "Damn Right" by Jennie from her debut album, Ruby” (Wikipedia)
• Childish Gambino. Childish Gambino also appeared on 'Damn Right' alongside Uchis. “Uchis has been featured in the song "Damn Right" by Jennie from her debut album, Ruby , with additional guest appearance by Childish Gambino” (Wikipedia)
• Mariah the Scientist. Uchis is touring with Mariah the Scientist. “Uchis announced a joint summer tour with Mariah the Scientist , the "For The Girls Tour"” (Wikipedia)
• Coachella 2024 performance. Kali Uchis guested at Tyler's Coachella set. “a performance that included guest appearances from Childish Gambino , ASAP Rocky , and Kali Uchis along with a duet of " Earfquake " with Charlie Wilson .” (Wikipedia)
• Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn (2020). Pray for Paris (Westside Gunn) — geography for Kali Uchis (musicbrainz.org)
• Nostalgia, Ultra by Frank Ocean (2011). Nostalgia, Ultra (Frank Ocean) — geography for Kali Uchis

Who Kali Uchis influenced

• Mañana Será Bonito by Karol G (2023). Mañana Será Bonito (Karol G) — legacy for Kali Uchis “On August 11, 2023 "Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)" album of the Colombian singer Karol G was released on which Uchis collaborated on the song "Me tengo que ir".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Nasty by Tinashe (2024). Nasty (Tinashe) — legacy for Kali Uchis (musicbrainz.org)