Since its inception, reggaeton and Latin trap have been a traditional boys’ club. Newcomer Mariah, a Cuban-Puerto Rican artist from Miami, forms part of a new-age group of women in the industry, aside from pioneer Ivy Queen, aiming to disrupt the male-dominated business. In just a year, the 19-year-old catalyzed the genre’s disruption with female-driven anthems like 2018’s “Blah.”
In the new music video for her single “Perreito,” Mariah commands the streets of Miami on the back of a motorcycle with interludes of her performing in front of colorful backdrops. Mariah was first discovered at age 16 by superstar producer, Nely “El Arma Secreta.” At a young age, she knew she wanted to make her mark on the music industry.
“Once I was like nine or 10, that’s when I started to sing and noticed my voice was a little good,” Mariah told Mitu. “I was like, ‘That’s it!’ I woke up every morning before school and watched Justin Bieber and Chris Brown, they are also big inspirations for me, and I wanted to be just like them.”
“My dream was to get signed and bring a new sound to the industry,” she continued. “Together, with Universal/GTS, we will make a big impact on the industry.” And so far, her star is steadily rising. In January, Mariah landed on Billboard’s 2019 5 Female Latin Artists to Keep On Your Radar list.
Watch the new video for “Perreito” above.