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Kany Garcia: More Than Just a Singer-Songwriter
Kany García, born Encarnita García de Jesús on September 25, 1982, in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, is a celebrated singer-songwriter whose storytelling and openness have shaped her career in Latin music. She’s no stranger to the Latin Grammys, having won six times before, and this year she’s back with four nominations for her album García and her hit single “Te lo agradezco” featuring Carin León. The upcoming ceremony in Miami promises another moment for her to celebrate what has already been a unique and inspiring career.
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Kany was born into a family that was passionate about music. Her mother, a music teacher, and her father, a former priest from Spain, instilled in her an early appreciation for classical music. She attended the Escuela Libre de Música in Puerto Rico, diving into cello, theory, and choir, and later picking up guitar. By her teens, Kany was already set on a path in music, eventually moving on to study composition at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
In 2004, just as she was stepping into the spotlight as a contestant on Objetivo Fama, a popular reality show, Kany was involved in a near-fatal car accident. She sustained major injuries, including fractures in her pelvis and collarbone. Yet her determination only grew stronger. Sony BMG took notice, signing her soon after, and her journey in the Latin pop scene officially began.
Kany’s debut album, Cualquier Día, was released in 2007 and quickly established her as a powerful voice in Latin pop. The album’s singles, like “Hoy Ya Me Voy” and “Alguien,” resonated deeply with fans for their emotional depth and storytelling. The following year, she received four Latin Grammy nominations, taking home two awards, including Best New Artist. Reflecting on that moment, she told LatiNation, “I was watching the Grammys with friends the year before, and someone joked, ‘Next year, maybe it’ll be you.’ I thought, no way! I was just starting out. But there I was, winning two awards—just incredible.”
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With each album, Kany explored new themes and sounds, never afraid to mix Latin pop with a variety of genres. Her second album, Boleto de Entrada (2009), saw her experimenting with rock and collaborating with artists like Tego Calderón. She continued to develop a diverse musical style, with projects like Limonada (2016), which she recorded in New York with David Kahne, and Soy Yo (2018), which was praised for its authentic lyrics and intimate themes.
Her 2022 album, El Amor Que Nos Merecemos, marked a new direction.
“It’s a super post-pandemic album,” she said in our interview. “It’s much more upbeat, celebrating love in all its forms—the people who lift us up, and even those moments when we need to say, ‘No, this isn’t good for me.’” The album embraces different musical styles, such as bachata, cumbia, and Puerto Rican bomba, presenting a variety she describes as more “dynamic” than her previous work.
Kany’s unique ability to blend Latin sounds with personal stories and relatable themes has made her a standout artist. Her hit “Te lo agradezco” with Carin León became a chart-topper in Mexico, blending regional Mexican influences with Kany’s signature lyrical touch.
Throughout her career, Kany has also been open about her personal life. In 2016, she publicly shared her relationship with her now-wife, Jocelyn Tróchez, on social media. The couple married in a private ceremony in 2021, and Kany’s openness about her journey has made her an inspiration for fans, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. She’s spoken about her experiences with labels and has expressed that she feels liberated without them, allowing her to focus fully on her music and life.
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Kany’s journey hasn’t always been smooth, and she is refreshingly honest about the ups and downs.
She shared with us, “It hasn’t always been hit after hit. Sometimes, I’ve wanted something to happen, but I had to realize it wasn’t the right time. There was a song that hit number one in Mexico for 40 weeks, and then another one that I really believed in didn’t resonate there. But it found success in Argentina and Colombia. Every place is different, and it’s taught me to respect each journey and each timing.”
Nine albums in, Kany feels grounded in her art. “When you’re doing what you love, you lose track of time,” she reflected. “I look back, and people mention numbers and years, and I think, wow, so much has happened. But it’s all been about making the music that makes me happy.”
With her Grammy nominations and a dedicated fan base, Kany García continues to be a beloved and authentic voice in Latin music. Her blend of honesty, resilience, and passion has made her a standout, and as she continues to evolve, fans are eager to see where her journey will lead next.
Throwback: Latin Grammy Winner Kany Garcia | The Zoo
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