Naki

Naki is a singer/songwriter from Medellin, Columbia. Her name means "calming," A key feature of race in Latin America is the idea of mestizaje, which refers to cultural blending. Naki's own unique brand of music draws heavily from her Amerindian, Hispanic, and Afro heritage.

At an early age, Naki became acquainted with the art world. She danced, sang and played guitar for neighbors and friends, and later went on to study acting and music at the Institute for Fine Arts and The University of Antioquia, including opera training under Detlef Scholsz and Claudia Coral.

In 2008, her song, "Madre Tierra" (Motherland) was declared a World Festival Hymn of the Earth. Naki says, "Music is so essential for me. It is a major fact of life and in its passage is found my great sense of duty to contribute to society from this lively and thoughtful side of myself."