Kali Uchis Remembers Early Career Struggles at Latin Music Week 2025: ‘I Really Started at the Bottom’

Kali Uchis remembered her humble beginnings in music on Tuesday (Oct. 21) at Billboard Latin Music Week, where she sat for a Superstar Q&A moderated by Billboard Español‘s associated editor Isabela Raygoza at The Fillmore Miami Beach on the second day of the event.

The Colombian-American artist — who just wrapped up her Sincerely, Tour in U.S. arenas and announced the Latin American leg for 2026 — released her first mixtape, Drunken Babble, in 2012, during a time of struggle, while she was living in her car. The mixtape instantly caught the attention of A$AP Rocky, Diplo and Snoop Dogg, who shared her music on his blog, Raygoza said.

“I really started at the bottom, singing at backyard parties,” the bilingual singer-songwriter said, adding that artistry and music have always been first for her. “I never had it in my head ‘I have to be this successful or make these numbers.’ I was very naïve in the industry. I’ve just always been an artist. I love to make things.”

During the conversation, Uchis also revealed that she almost left her biggest hit, “Telepatía,” out of her sophomore album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) from 2020. “It had to grow on me. I loved it when I made it and then I was like, ‘hmmm, I don’t know,’” said,

Kali Uchis graced Billboard‘s cover in October, delving into motherhood, touring on a bus and refusing to choose one language over the other to sing in. Read the full story here.

Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event once again hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases. 

Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.