Young Miko remembers vividly the first time she realized her music could make an impact. It was 2021, after the Puerto Rican singer-rapper released her second single, “Vendetta,” a collaboration with trans artist Villano Antillano — a hard-hitting trap song in which the two spit about empowerment, individuality, resilience and the self confidence, all while emphasizing the LGBTQ+ community.
“Then I felt a before and after in my life,” says Miko Advertising sign. “It's a moment I always go back to and realize it wasn't just a song. I feel inside that it started a very beautiful movement or gave it more power. I like to feel that from the beginning I did something good with the voice life gave me and with the space I have, which should have a purpose.”
That same voice – one that effortlessly transitions from rap rhymes to smooth, sweet vocals – and a dedicated work ethic have propelled Miko to become one of urban musicHer brightest new stars are crossing the male-dominated genre while singing mostly about her queer identity.
Born María Victoria Ramírez de Arellano Cardona, the 25-year-old artist has landed major collaborations with Bad Bunny, Arcángel, Feid, Bizarrap and Karol G — most recently playing the latter's romantic interest in Karol's cinematic music video “Contigo.” He also had a strong presence in Advertising sign charts, including four hits on Hot Latin Songs and three on Latin Airplay, two entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and five on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US
But even within these successes, Advertising signThe 2024 Women in Music Impact honoree says she's still learning. “It's important to have that mindset and not think I'm at my peak,” he says. “I want to feel like I'll never stop being a student, and for me that's the best part.”
How has embracing your queer identity in your lyrics affected your art?
It was everything. My lyrics show a young Miko who is 100% true to herself. Thank God, I felt comfortable enough from the beginning to be able to do that and give myself the space to be myself and do what I want with my music. I think it's really cool that it's had a good impact on the music industry in general and the people around me. Obviously, sometimes, it can be loud – your environment, other people's opinions – but I feel like Young Miko would never be the same if I wasn't 100% honest in my music.
How have you used your social media presence to create change around you?
Beyond a social media platform, I like to start with my circle and the people who are with me every day. Any way I can help, I will always try to add or contribute my grain of sand. Obviously, aware that anything I post or associate will have an impact, period. I know now people are listening and paying attention to what I'm saying, which gives me more reason to want to promote a good message. There are so many people with so many followers, and they're not using it for sh-t. For me, it's a blessing that life has decided to put me in a place where my voice matters.
You entered Karol G for her Mañana Será Bonito tour and headline your own Trap Kitty tour last year. What effect did the tour have on you?
I love touring! It's so much fun. I really feed off the crowd and the energy. Sometimes you have to see it to believe it — the feeling of all the people and how they know your songs. I learned that it won't always be pretty. There are days that will be extremely tiring and if you cancel or postpone a show, it's horrible [for the fans] but you have to get over it. In addition to learning as an artist, I am also learning as a person. When I'm on tour, I miss my home, my parents, my island, the warmth of my people. It's a roller coaster and not for the faint of heart. It's so surreal, but I really like it.
This story will appear in the March 2, 2024 issue Advertising sign.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/young-miko-women-in-music-impact-honoree-musica-urbana-1235618117/
