In The Community
RaiNao
Photo by rainaopr on Instagram
RaiNao is a very interesting artist and she’s out there blending urban beats, jazz melodies, and pop sounds like no other. Her journey started with a solid foundation in music theory and saxophone training in Puerto Rico, setting the stage for her versatile music style. She was a backup vocalist for Rafa Pabon, but she has struck out on her own. RaiNao is known not just for her technical skills, but also for her production level and knack for bending genres. She has created an identity that’s very unique to her and it’s exciting to see what boundaries she’ll continue to push in 2024.
Joaquina
Photo by joaquina on Instagram
Joaquina is a Venezuelan singer and songwriter whose music resonates deeply because it captures teenage angst perfectly. Her indie pop-rock songs are also authentic and vulnerable, which is something everyone can connect to. Tracks like "Rabia" and "Niñas de Instagram" have struck a chord with young audiences and they’ve impressed industry veterans. Joaquina won the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best New Artist and that was just the beginning. Her latest single is “escapar de mi” and she has an album on the horizon, so it will be fun to see how her music evolves as she grows.
Kenia Os
Kenia Os is a Mexican singer-songwriter who went from YouTube content creator with 5.8M subscribers to pop star. Her breakout track "Malas Deciciones" marked a turning point in her career and, so far, she has collaborated with Latino artists like Thalía and CNCO. She’ll be touring in 2024 and 2025 all over Mexico, so it’s going to be a big year for her. Kenia Os is definitely one of the rising stars in the Mexican music scene and you should check out her YouTube channel if you want to find new favorites.
J Noa
Photo by jnoamusic on Instagram
J Noa is a Dominican rapper who has been rising the ranks in the hip-hop scene. Her sharp and clever lyrics, combined with a breakneck delivery are nothing short of impressive. J Noa’s talent earned her a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song in 2023 and her Tiny Desk concert also earned her a lot of recognition. It’s clear that J Noa is just getting started and her EP, “Autodidacta,” is only a taste of what’s to come for this Dominican rapper.
Nicki Nicole
Photo by nicki.nicole on Instagram
Hailing from Argentina, Nicki Nicole has amassed 22M followers on Instagram and her rise to fame has been incredible. Her collaborations with artists like Rauw Alejandro and Tiago PZK have catapulted her into the international spotlight, establishing her as one of the top Latin R&B, reggaeton, and Latin hip-hop Latina artists. With hits like "Colocao" and "Mamichula," Nicole’s talent is undeniable and the way she navigates different musical styles is very interesting. She also has a great Tiny Desk concert and has even appeared on The Tonight Show, so check out her YouTube channel to see what she’s got.
Ludmilla
Photo by ludmilla on Instagram
The way Brazilian singer-songwriter Ludmilla combines funk, pop, trap, and R&B is insane! In 2020, she became the first Afro-Latina to reach a million streams on Spotify with her song "Fala Mal de Mim" and that would only be the beginning. Only two years later, she won a Latin Grammy in 2022 for Best Samba/Pagode Album and became the first Afro-Latina artist to get the honor. She’s a dynamic artist and is known for her versatility, which has influenced the Latino music scene. Ludmilla is one of the Latina artists who’s rushing in a new generation and her music transcends language barriers.
Girl Ultra
Photo by girlultra on Instagram
Girl Ultra's journey from dreaming of Coachella to performing on its stage in 2024 is a reminder that dreams can come true with perseverance and talent. This Mexican musician is known for her versatility as an artist, ranging from electronic dance beats to soulful ballads. She has captivated audiences all over the world and she’s one of the most interesting young Latina artists in the scene. Girl Ultra is also known for her dynamic performances, so keep an eye on her socials if you want to catch one of her shows in the U.S.
Ice Spice
Photo by icespice on Instagram
Last but certainly not least, Ice Spice is an American rapper of African-American and Dominican descent with an impressive rise to fame. Her Grammy nominations and chart-topping collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Rema, and more, speak volumes about her talent and her future in the industry. Ice Spice has had many viral hits, including “Barbie World,” "Boys A Liar Pt. 2,” "In Ha Mood,” and more. Her debut album "Y2K" is on the horizon for 2024, so we suspect she’ll make an even bigger impact in the industry with her blend of Hip hop, drill, Jersey club, and pop rap.
Frida Kahlo
Photo by Guillermo Kahlo - Sotheby's on Wikimedia Commons
It’s impossible to discuss Latina artists and not start with Frida Kahlo. This Mexican painter has been recognized all over the world for her surreal and symbolic paintings. Rooted in her own life and complex inner world, Frida’s art tackles important themes like race, identity, gender, and postcolonialism. Latinos and people from all over the world, especially women, can find something to relate to within Frida’s paintings because they’re vulnerable, honest, and raw. “The Two Fridas” is only one example of that, and it resonates with Latinos living in the United States who experience duality in their identity.
Amelia Peláez
Courtesy of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba
Amelia Peláez was born in Cuba, where she graduated from the “Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes de San Alejandro” in 1924. She went on to study art in New York and Paris as well, and she’s known as one of the most outstanding painters to come out of Cuba. Her tropical and colonial aesthetics stand out in her work, and she had a wonderful way of working with geometric shapes. Her paintings are defined by bold outlines and stained-glass aesthetics. “Fishes” is one of the best examples of that and the bright colors really jump out of the frame.
Carmen Herrera
Photo by Victor Laredo on WikiArt
Here we have another amazing Cuban painter born in Havana! Carmen Herrera is a minimalist artist who's been painting for over seven decades, but she only gained significant recognition when she was in her 90s. With her striking geometric paintings, she proved that simplicity can carry profound meanings. Her work, like the celebrated "Blanco y Verde" series, beautifully mirrors the balanced integration of her Cuban roots with her life in New York.
Beatriz González
Photo by Galeria Nouvelle on Wikimedia Commons
Beatriz González is a versatile artist from Colombia and she’s very well-known for her pop art style. She’s a painter, sculptor, illustrator, curator, historian, and art critic, and her work is exhibited in museums around the world, including Mexico, New York, Houston, and more. Her art is known for its bright colors, roughness, and awkward forms, and for exploring middle-class notions of ethnicity, gender, class, and taste. One of her most well-known pieces is “The Sisga Suicides” I, II, and III, inspired by a heartbreaking story the artist read about in the press.
Clara Ledesma
Courtesy of www.claraledesma.net
Clara Ledesma became a part of history as one of the first women to attend the National School of Fine Arts in Santo Domingo. She went on to become one of the most well-known Dominican painters and throughout her career, she played with a variety of styles. Including surrealism, abstraction, and expressionism. One thing about her paintings is that they’re brightly colored and fantastical, bursting with mysticism and magic. That’s why they can transport people into other realms. A great example of that is her popular painting, “Modernist figures with a peacock and other birds.”
Ana Mendieta
Photo by Ana Mendieta
Ana Mendieta, a Cuban-American performance artist, sculptor, and painter, used her body as a canvas to express themes of feminism, life, death, and spiritualism. Her "Silueta Series," where she molded her silhouette into outdoor landscapes, created a deeply visceral and moving connection between the body and the earth. This groundbreaking approach to art has left an indelible mark on the art world.
Leonora Carrington
Photo by © Lee Miller Archives
Photo by © Lee Miller Archives
Leonora Carrington was born in the United Kingdom, but she’s of Mexican descent and spent most of her adult years in Mexico City. She was a painter and novelist, known for her surrealist style. Her work is featured in museums all over the world and it stands out due to her grotesque imagery and dark humor. She’s also known for challenging repression within the surrealist movement and embracing nonhuman elements to blur the lines between human, animal, and machine in her paintings. One of her many well-known works is “The Giantess (The Guardian of the Egg),” which perfectly represents her style.
Doris Salcedo
Photo by David Heald - Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation on Wikimedia Commons
Born and raised in Colombia, Doris Salcedo is known for her large-scale installations and sculptures that communicate powerful messages about the socio-political landscape. Salcedo’s work, such as her installation "Shibboleth," a large crack in the floor of the Tate Modern in London, addresses the themes of racism and colonialism. Her art, both provocative and impactful, continues to echo loudly in modern society.
Margarita Azurdia
Courtesy of awarewomenartists.com
Margarita Azurdia was a Guatemalan artist known for her abstract paintings and sculptures. She was also a poet and performance artist. Margarita was a master at blending geometric abstraction with native Guatemalan indigenous textile designs, which is how she paid homage to her country and cultural roots. She used bright, vibrant colors, and one of her most famous abstract paintings is “Pintura 1 (Painting 1).”
Tarsila do Amaral
Hailing from Brazil, Tarsila do Amaral is a significant figure in the Latin American modernist movement. Her work, like the iconic painting "Abaporu," combines elements of Cubism and Surrealism with a distinct Brazilian sensibility. She drew inspiration from indigenous art, creating pieces that were filled with local color, presenting Brazil's vibrant culture to the world.
Each of these phenomenal Latina artists revolutionized the art world in her own unique way. They serve as role models for us, demonstrating that our cultural heritage and personal experiences can be a source of strength and inspiration.
