Kenya Os could be very a lot a pop star of the instances. Previously few years, the previous influencer parlayed her large social media following right into a music profession and a Latin Grammy nomination. Like a real pop princess, Os has additionally undergone a number of evolutions in each picture and sound with every new album. Now, the Mexican famous person is ushering in her edgiest period but together with her new single “Belladona.”
“I really feel like a very totally different Kenia,” Os says. “That is the period that I’ve most preferred of my complete profession. I’ve had essentially the most enjoyable engaged on the music movies and outfits that you just’ll see quickly. All through the years, I’ve been creating this persona that displays who I’m as a girl in the present day.”
Os was born Kenia Guadalupe Flores Osuna in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Over a decade in the past, she first began to amass a following from posting vlogs on YouTube. Along with her social media savvy, Os then grew her on-line presence by means of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. On the identical time, she was cultivating a music profession that took off with 2022’s Moon Modifications. A yr later, Os scored her first world smash with the flirty “Malas Decisiones.” Since her breakout, she has toured throughout Mexico and the US. This previous yr, Os additionally discovered love together with her boyfriend, fellow Mexican singer Featherweight.
Os is now pushing Latin pop into the long run with the defiant “Belladona.” Following the colourful 2024 album Pink Aurashe is now embracing a darker and extra fierce aesthetic for her upcoming LP Okay The Karma. Os can also be plotting a brand new tour for the album, which will probably be launched on March 19. Over Zoom, she caught up with Uproxx about her creative development, what to anticipate from her “Belladona” period, and if there’s an opportunity for one more duet with Peso Pluma.
How would you describe the method of creating the bounce from influencer to pop star?
It’s been a really pure development. Regardless that I’ve put a whole lot of work into this, every little thing in my profession has occurred very naturally. I began out taking part in round and recording songs throughout the pandemic with my workforce. We had a whole lot of enjoyable, and immediately, creating content material, recording music, making music movies, and all of that turned my profession. I’ve been very pleased in regards to the development I’ve gone by means of these previous few years. I’m nonetheless a content material creator as a result of I like to file TikTok movies and my GRWM (Get Prepared With Me) movies. It’s been a good looking course of the place I’m now connecting with my followers in so some ways.
That’s cool to see you persevering with to bridge these worlds of music and content material creation.
That’s what makes what I’m doing totally different from different artists. I imagine it’s due to that cause that I’ve a really massive fandom. They join with my music as a result of they acquired to know me on a private degree. My followers know my day-to-day routine, who I’m, what I like, and the best way I’m.
Now that you just’ve been recording music for over seven years, what have you ever realized about your self throughout that point?
I’ve realized rather a lot. I’ve realized that I’ve many expertise. Some expertise I’ve are higher than different ones (laughs). I’ve realized that if I can develop my expertise and work on them, I can rework myself and evolve. It appears like being on a curler coaster that by no means ends.
The place does the inspiration in your new single “Belladona” come from?
From the primary day that I proposed this new album, I wished to embrace a femme fatale aura. It’s that type of power of an empowered girl who clothes in purple latex with purple lipstick and smoky eyes. At first, I didn’t know methods to musically develop that idea. I needed to take heed to songs that gave that inspiration. After I listened to these songs, I felt like that girl. Abruptly, I began to work on that with my producers, and I created a moodboard. That’s what impressed me to really feel like a femme fatale, and from there, I began to create this story.
What does being a “Belladona” imply to you?
Regardless that I really feel very linked to her, I might describe her as an alter ego. Now we have rather a lot in widespread. On this upcoming album, “Belladona” is a girl who could be very lovely and loves rather a lot, however on the identical time, in case you harm her, she will be deadly. All through this album, I’m going to speak about a whole lot of the issues that she goes by means of. You’ll hear about when she’s hurting, when she’s crying, and when she’s being spiteful and having enjoyable to the max.
Why did you resolve to call your new album Okay The Karma?
For me, Okay The Karma is that girl that I’ve advised you about. She’s candy, lovely, and extra, however in case you cross her, she will be deadly. With karma, she’s not searching for revenge or something like that. I see karma extra as a method of her getting her justice. The Okay additionally stands for Kenia. That is who I’ve change into now, and nobody can take that away from me.
On the finish of the “Belladona” music video, is {that a} preview of the following single?
Precisely! There’s a touch of what’s to come back. I imagine my followers are going to adore it as a result of they’ve been asking me for extra poignant lyrics. The subsequent single is coming quickly. It is going to be like a kind of efficiency video. It’s less complicated than “Belladona,” however on the identical time, it will likely be extra in regards to the lyrics that make the tune so particular.
What are you able to inform us about your upcoming tour?
I’m a couple of weeks away from getting ready for the tour. We’re getting nearer to asserting the dates and the locations that I’m performing in. What we’re going to announce would be the first chapter of the tour. It makes me so pleased as a result of I’ve been lacking doing reveals and being with my followers. For me, the countdown has begun.
How would you describe your relationship with Peso Pluma?
It’s very cool as a result of I really feel like we expertise these songs and album releases on the identical time. He simply put out a brand new album, and I used to be simply as nervous as he was. We assist one another. We’re very pleased. Yesterday, he was telling me, “In the present day ‘Belladona’ comes out! How are individuals reacting to it?” We perceive one another very nicely. Above all, we encourage one another a lot. We’re additionally attempting to arrange ourselves for a way loopy our lives are going to be this yr.
After beforehand collaborating on “Tommy & Pamela,” is there an opportunity that you just two can work on one other tune collectively?
It’s one thing that we’ve talked about. Clearly, we might like to do one other tune collectively, however I’ve advised him, “How are we going to outdo ‘Tommy & Pamela’?” That was an enormous tune. He’s been recording a whole lot of songs and there are a lot of of them the place we’ve stated, “Might this tune be higher if we file it collectively?” There are occasions once we get excited and say, “We might sound so good on this one collectively!” However for now, we haven’t discovered the proper tune.
As a longtime ally of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, what does the connection that you’ve together with your queer followers imply to you?
I imagine my followers who belong to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood are my most loyal followers. They’re all the time there for me. I additionally imagine that with out these followers, the pop facet of my mission wouldn’t exist. I’m very pleased, grateful, and blessed to have this very massive neighborhood that has adopted my profession and helps me. Generally they’re those who scold me essentially the most, however I take that as a approach to be taught from my errors and develop.
What’s the standing of your extremely anticipated collaboration with Belinda and Danna?
I imagine the final time we had been within the studio collectively, we made a good looking and divine tune. I adore it! I’ve all the time advised them, “This can be a hit!” Abruptly, our agendas turned very loopy, and we couldn’t meet up. Beli is in Spain, and I want her the most effective of luck. I do know that she’s filming a collection. I additionally know that Danna could be very targeted on her new album. Proper now, it’s a mission that now we have placed on pause. We’ve stated that that is one thing that’s very massive, and we have to discover the time to be totally dedicated to it. I’ve a whole lot of religion that if every little thing goes nicely this yr, we’ll get again to it and put out this collaboration that everybody is ready for. We’re so excited for it.
What do you need to hope to perform subsequent?
I might like to sing in locations I’ve by no means carried out earlier than. I might like to develop my profession in different nations whereas staying linked to Mexico. I do know there are extra locations to journey to within the US, Europe, Central America, and South America. There are lots of locations the place individuals aren’t acquainted with Kenia Os. I might love to succeed in these locations and continue to grow as an artist.
Okay The Karma is out 3/19 by way of Sony Music Leisure México. Discover extra data right here.