IN CONVERSATION WITH KANY GARCÍA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García has built a career defined by powerful storytelling, emotional honesty, and songs that give voice to the experiences of women. A seven-time Latin Grammy Awards winner, Kany is behind some of Latin pop’s most beloved tracks, including Hoy Ya Me Voy, Alguien, and Para Siempre, while her album Soy Yo was recognized by Billboard as one of the best Latin albums of the decade. Her most recent work continues to expand her musical reach, blending pop, regional Mexican sounds, and bachata across projects like GARCÍA and collaborations with artists including Christian Nodal, Carin León, and Carla Morrison. Now, Kany opens a new chapter with her upcoming album Puerta Abierta, a deeply personal project described as a letter to her younger self, reflecting on identity, growth, and the emotional journeys that shape us.

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shirt and vest ARCHIVE CHLOÉ
jewelry STYLIST'S OWN

What inspired the concept of Puerta Abierta?

I was inspired by the folklore of my country, by returning to the girl I once was and letting her remind me of the music she listened to, its sounds, and her surroundings. That’s where the root of this album comes from.

⁠How does this project reflect where you are today?

I think it’s a reflection of how I feel about music, of the things that move me as a human being, and of how I live as a Puerto Rican woman who loves her homeland, who loves its traditional instruments, and who, now more than ever, tries to ensure that what she stands for musically aligns with what she stands for in her everyday life.

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⁠Do you approach songwriting differently now?

Of course. I’m someone who has been on this path for almost 20 years. I listen to different music, read different things, I’m interested in new ideas, and all of that has a big impact on how I write.

⁠Why is the emotional experience of women so central in your music?

We are emotional beings. Everything affects us, and everything, in one way or another, needs connection, whether it’s sharing it with someone or connecting through a song.

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⁠What does connecting with your audience mean to you?

To me, that’s what it’s all about, that a song enters someone’s life and becomes a refuge. On stage, it would be impossible to sing without that connection, without the meaning and weight that songs gain through people.

⁠What drew you to the fusion in La Siguiente?

I’ve always loved experimenting. I’m very curious and I like to push myself out of my comfort zone. I enjoy seeing how I feel in different sonic spaces and expressing that through music. I’ve spent many years trying to find my sound, and that requires exploration. What I never expected was to fall completely in love with Regional Mexican music.

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⁠What do you look for in a collaboration?

I was looking for different sounds and new ways to connect. I really enjoy building bridges with artists I admire, like Carla and Miko. Writing my own songs has helped me stay grounded and maintain a clear sense of direction, so I can approach collaborations without losing myself, preserving my identity while respecting theirs.

⁠How do you stay grounded with so much recognition?

Family who understands me, friends who respect me and take care of me deeply, Puerto Rico and its countryside, my dog, and having a partner who keeps me grounded and adds to my life.

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⁠What does Soy Yo represent in your journey?

That project was incredibly special because it was created during Hurricane Maria, and it was an uphill process. I also took great care with my lyrics, my sound, and the hope of creating something I could listen to ten years later.

⁠How do you decide when to explore new sounds?

I don’t like setting limits for myself. I love discovering new music, seeing what’s working, but also listening to older music and finding ways to bring certain melodies back. In the end, I see it as a game with no rules, anything goes.

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⁠What inspires you creatively outside of music?

The beach inspires me a lot, the countryside of Puerto Rico, traveling. I love the gastronomy of each country and how it speaks to me. I’m inspired by people who are doing things boldly, taking risks, and putting their whole heart into it.

⁠What do you hope listeners feel when they hear Puerta Abierta?

I hope it takes them back to their childhood. I hope it inspires them, that they connect with a lyric, and that they discover a piece of me they hadn’t known before.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent KANY GARCÍA
creative director RYAN LUCCA
photography DIEGO BIGOLIN
styling DANIEL VÁSQUEZ
makeup & Hair LIO MALDONADO
styling assistant LUIS GERARDO DIAZ
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA