The so-called ‘reggaeton revolution’ has been far from an overnight success in the UK and is still a minor genre in clubs and amongst concert listings, but over the last 20 years with superstar artists like Bad Bunny hitting the American mainstream, Latin trends are starting to seep further into the British musical conscious. The inclusion of increasingly more Latin artists at festivals like Coachella will likely have great impact on our listening habits, and it’s exciting to see more artists like Young Miko getting a platform to share their music.
Originally from Puerto Rico, former tattoo artist turned singer was one of the Latin acts who made their debut at the festival last month. Her musical presence in the UK may still remain relatively unknown but, Miko is moving in leaps and bounds. The release of her first EP ‘Trap Kitty’ in 2022 wet musical appetites and has now been followed up by a new full length album, entitled att. The new work opens with ‘rookie of the year’, a fitting track having received an award titled by the same name at Billboard’s Latin Power Players in September 2023. Ever since, making waves on both sides of the Atlantic and making a name for herself has been Miko’s game. 2023 was a key year for the artist with appearances on collaborations with A-List names such as Bad Bunny on his new album NSLQVAPM, Karol G, Feid, Bzrp and Bad Gyal, all influential names in the evolution of Latin music of the last 10 years.
Her popularity amongst her fans and other artists is without a doubt testament to her genre-bending, often suggestive and catchy Spanglish beats, but also lies in her deeply personal and vulnerable sound. In a recent interview with Billboard upon the album’s release Miko explained how the work was essentially 'a condensed version of everything that has happened to [her] in the past two years and beyond' harking back to childhood.
Miko's style is unapologetically queer and the album touches on themes stretching from lust and love to heartbreak and jealousy as the listener accompanies her through the emotional rollercoaster of the last few years.
Miko's style is unapologetically queer and the album touches on themes stretching from lust and love to heartbreak and jealousy as the listener accompanies her through the emotional rollercoaster of the last few years. Her collaborations with Villano Antillano and Feid are intentional, and their songs complement the album’s intention to portray a fun, 90s inspired cohesive body of easily listenable tracks which will have you grooving and maybe even encouraging you to get back on that Duolingo Spanish streak.
Get a taste by listening to: