Kali Uchis was a woman of few words at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 gala, where she let her music speak for her as she was honored as Rising Star on Sunday (June 9)’s telecast. Although her acceptance speech was the shortest of the night, the Colombian-American singer-songwriter shined with a class-act performance.
Uchis, in a long black dress and her hair in an updo, performed a stripped-down version of her hit “Igual Que un Ángel,” originally recorded with Peso Pluma and part of her latest Spanish-language album, Orquídeas, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Top Latin Albums.
Accompanied only by piano and trumpet, the Grammy winner showcased her voice with a jazzy arrangement that added elegance to the show. Moments after her performance, Peso Pluma appeared on screen to present, through a video, the award to his “friend,” whom he called “a talented and multifaceted woman who even took me out of my comfort zone.”
“Many thanks to Billboard and many thanks, first of all, to God for this life, for giving me the opportunity to always grow, and to my fans,” Uchis said, as she received a standing ovation from the audience.
Singer, songwriter and producer Kali Uchis has successfully alternated between English and Spanish-language projects, and has defied musical genres by blending elements of R&B, neo-soul, pop and Latin rhythms. Her smash hit “Telepatía” has more than two billion plays and is the longest Spanish-language song by a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100 this decade, with a 23-week streak.
In its second annual edition, Billboard Latin Women in Music also honored Karol G as Woman of the Year, Gloria Estefan as Legend, La India as Pioneer, Ana Bárbara with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Ángela Aguilar with the Music Dynasty Award, Camila Cabello with the Global Impact Award, and Kany García with the Spirit of Change Award.
In addition to airing on Telemundo on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, the ceremony is also available on the Telemundo app and Peacock.
