Arca

Arca, born Alejandra Ghersi Rodríguez on October 14, 1989, in Caracas, Venezuela, is an experimental musician, producer, and singer who has redefined the boundaries of electronic music. After spending her early years in Darien, Connecticut, she returned to Caracas at the age of nine. Arca’s musical journey began at a young age, taking piano lessons at seven and later experimenting with FL Studio during her adolescence. Initially known as Nuuro, she quickly gained recognition in Venezuela before transitioning to the stage name Arca in 2012.

Her early work, including the EP Baron Libre, set the foundation for her unique sound. Arca expanded her musical palette with Stretch 1 and Stretch 2, which incorporated hip-hop elements and attracted widespread attention. Her debut album, Xen (2014), followed by Mutant (2015), showcased her groundbreaking fusion of electronic, industrial, and experimental sounds. Her 2017 self-titled album marked a personal evolution, with Arca using her voice to explore themes of gender identity and psychosexuality.

In 2020 and 2021, Arca released the Kick series, a five-album collection that blended genres like IDM, reggaeton, and avant-pop, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in contemporary music. Arca’s collaborations with artists like Björk, Kanye West, FKA Twigs, and Kany García have expanded her influence, while her own work continues to push creative boundaries. In 2020, she made history with a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album for Kick I, becoming the first non-binary artist to achieve such recognition.