A recent investigation between Todas and the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) found that less than 10% of artistic bookings on the Island go to women. In response to that analysis, and in collaboration with Dimelomío, we put together this guide to highlight the work of women artists and their presence on Puerto Rico's stages.
And what do the women who make and perform music in Puerto Rico sound like? Like salsa, tropical music, traditional and contemporary folk, urban music, Caribbean, alternative, indie, rock, punk, jazz…
Below we present 20 musical projects led by women who stand out in their genres, with established bodies of work and shows ready to perform on stages across our archipelago and on international platforms.
🎧At the end of this guide you will also find a quick list of 40 artists to keep on your radar if you want to broaden your musical ear with more voices that are enriching Puerto Rico's artistic landscape.
🥁🌴 Traditional roots and folkloric fusion
Ausuba
A Puerto Rican bomba group led by master folklorist Marién Torres, founder of Taller Tambuyé and the Barrileras del 8M. They explore the strength, wisdom and experiences of women across time, drawing on their roots and traditions.
Instagram: @ausuba
Contact: ausubapr@gmail.com
Tel: 787-379-9385
Chamir Bonano
Chamir Bonano is one of the foremost figures in Puerto Rican bomba, known as "La voz dulce de la bomba." She just released her first studio album, A Mi Plín, which fuses bomba with urban sounds including trap, reggae and salsa.
Instagram: chamirbonano/
Booking: nuncacaminosola.com
Fabiola Méndez
Fabiola Méndez is a prominent cuatro player, singer, educator and composer. Her music fuses Afro-Caribbean folk and jazz with the Puerto Rican cuatro as the lead instrument. She has three albums: "Al otro lado del Charco" (2019), Afrorriqueña (2021) and Flora campesina (2024), among other musical productions.
Instagram: fabiolamendezmusic/
Contact: fabiolamendezmusic@gmail.com
Versos de Mujer
A women's traditional music group featuring trovadora singers and musicians who highlight rural and tropical rhythms. From trova, aguinaldo, son, plena and more, with lyrics that celebrate women and Puerto Rican identity.
Instagram: versosdemujerpr/
Contact: versosdemujerpr@gmail.com
Sabor Rumba
The first Cuban rumba group in Puerto Rico made up exclusively of women and queer people. Led by percussionist and singer Adriana Santori, who also leads the project Junte de Plenerxs.
Instagram: sabora_rumba/
Contact: saborarumbapr@gmail.com
🎺💃 Salsa and tropical fusion
Zayra Pola
Singer-songwriter, producer and prominent timbalera and multi-instrumentalist who debuted on the salsa scene in 2022 with her album "Te Va A Gustar." Breaking barriers and representing female talent with excellence, this year Pola has the honor of being recognized as Estrella Revelada at the Día Nacional Puertorriqueño in New York.
Instagram: zayrapola/
Bookings: zayrapola.com
Karla Marie
A singer known for her powerful voice and charisma in her tribute to Myrta Silva, whom she honors on her album "Siempre Contigo Myrta Silva," which she has performed live with a prominent orchestra led by Cuco Peña.
Instagram: karlamarierosado/
Contact: karlamarierosado@gmail.com
🌊🎵 Contemporary fusion and neo-folk
Lizbeth Román
A Puerto Rican artist known for capturing the poetry of everyday life and blending, musically, the bohemian with the alternative, Caribbean folk rhythms with feeling, blues, trap, trova and bomba, among others, describing her style as "tropical cosmic folk." She was a finalist on NPR's Top Shelf de Tiny Desk Concert 2023.
Instagram: lizbethromanmusica/
Contact: farolaygato@gmail.com
UnÁnima
UnÁnima experiments with traditional Caribbean and Latin American music. She has complemented her musical career with a series dedicated to striking visuals and experiential live events distinguished by theatrical storytelling. She has an EP and several singles that showcase her unique style, featuring sounds of dub, Cuban son, and Puerto Rican jíbaro music.
Instagram: unanimapr/
Contact: 787-510-8622
Andrea Cruz
A songwriter and singer with a tender but solid voice, capable of offering clever nuances and creating epic and welcoming atmospheres alike. Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are the cultural reference for her art. She has released three albums: "Tejido de Laurel" (2017), "Sentir No Es Del Tiempo" (2020) and "La Ausencia de Albricias" (2023). Her talent led her to be part of the NPR: Tiny Desk Series concert catalog (2019).
Instagram: andreacruzmusica/
Contact: notoquemostierra@gmail.com
Mima
A pioneer of Puerto Rican indie music, she has released two albums: "Mima" (2005) and "El pozo" (2011), along with several singles. She has stood out as a singer-songwriter for the versatility of her sonic range and her "ajibará" voice. Her songs draw on aguinaldo, plena, reggae and bachata, with the Puerto Rican cuatro and the güicharo featured prominently.
Instagram: mimagrama/
Contact: mimamusica.com
Piquete
An Afro-Puerto Rican musical project that aims to strike a balance between the sensuality and the rawness of street music, in its aesthetic, themes and musicality alike. Led by songwriter and percussionist Miosoti Alvarado, La MiO, the group describes its sound as Neo Plena and Bomba Groove, where contemporary sounds from Caribbean and Brazilian music, neo soul and hip-hop meet traditional instrumentation to create a powerful, flavorful and forward-looking fusion.
Instagram: piquetepr/
Contact: kapokentertainment@gmail.com
Tel: 787-449-7660
La MiO
Rapper, plenera, songwriter, dancer and leader of the band Piquete. She released her first solo album in July 2024, "Con To'Los Powers," a 15-track production that fuses bomba, plena, rap, cumbia and other Caribbean and urban genres, pure Caribbean power. With Piquete she has two singles and an EP, recorded live during the pandemic at the Coca Cola Music Hall.
Instagram: lamiopr/
Contact: lamiopr@gmail.com
Web: www.lamiopr.com
Tel: 787-449-7660
🏙️✨Urban and pop sounds
Cita
Cita is a singer and songwriter known for her talent in urban music, fusing afrobeat, reggaeton and Puerto Rican bomba. She stands out in the music scene for her fresh style and her ability to blend tropical rhythms with modern touches. Throughout her career she has gained recognition for her distinctive voice and her stage presence.
Instagram: elcuentodecita/
Contact: citamusicpr@gmail.com
Ana Macho
Her songs are distinguished by memorable melodies, inspiring lyrics and a fusion of Latin rhythms with a contemporary pop sensibility. The artist addresses themes such as identity, love and the Puerto Rican experience, creating songs that resonate on both a personal and collective level. Her style is vibrant and emotional, which has earned her a place in the music scene of Puerto Rico and its diaspora, a Caribbean pop star.
Instagram: anamachoalfa/
Contact: anamachoalfa@gmail.com
Tel: 787-598-8701
🤘🔥 Rock, alternative and punk
Neysa Blay
The singer-songwriter from Cabo Rojo began her musical career at 16, playing in bars along the west coast of Puerto Rico. Inspired by Spanish-language and alternative rock of the '90s, Neysa found her musical identity in the sound of the guitar and her bold lyrics. She recorded her first musical production in Mexico City. Her show is distinguished by high interpretive energy and her powerful band. She has an EP, several singles and the album "Nada es suficiente" released in November 2024.
Instagram: neysablay/
Booking: nuevos.vientos/
TapaboKa
Tapaboka is a band influenced by the riot grrrl movement and the genres of Nü-metal and hardcore. With a "femme punk rage" approach accompanied by theatrical and visual elements, the band has made its mark on the alternative scene and established itself as one of the most powerful voices in it. Their first single, "El Rey," was featured by Rolling Stone en Español and Remezcla.
Instagram: tapaboka.fm/
Contact: tapabokapr@gmail.com
🎷✨ Queens of jazz and soul
Kristal Fonrodona
Kristal Fonrodona, a prominent artist in the underground jazz and alternative funk scene, brings Puerto Rican warmth to the stage with her sensual voice and powerful presence. Known for her hyperfeminine performance style alongside her band, Kristal also produces and co-directs her audiovisual projects. She has released several singles, which stand out even more for their music videos.
Instagram: kristalfonrodona/
Booking: yokapr.llc@gmail.com
Tanicha López
Considered one of the best urban vocalists in Puerto Rico: captivating, transparent, honest in her sound and flexible across any genre. Known for improvising jazz, bolero, hip hop, R&B, gospel, neo-soul, salsa, reggae, Latin music, folk… whatever the moment calls for. She is currently working on her first solo production and is a member of the bands Cultura Profética, Afro-Custics, David Rivera y la Bambula, and other projects.
Instagram: tanicha_lopez/
Contact: mandalaentllc@gmail.com
Janice Maisonet
A prominent saxophonist, composer and producer. She was the first female saxophonist to graduate from the Jazz and Music Department of the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. She works with a range of artists and musical projects, including Atención Atención, Pedro Capó and El laberinto del Coco, and remains active producing for her projects Émina and Galactic Tree.
Instagram: nanysax/
Contact: 787-226-9502
🎧 For the road trip
Save this playlist created by Todas that includes a large portion of the artistic projects mentioned in this list.
40 artists to keep on your radar
Below we share the names of
who deserve your attention
Marina y su Melao, ISA, Y EL Trabuco, Díbora Matos, Nömadäs, Odette, Mireya Ramos, Daniela Santos, Macha Colón, Nore Feliciano, Melissa Ocasio, Mila, Calma Carmona, Afriktaal, Merari, Mildred Eunís, Branda Hopkins, Cheryl Rivera, Aidita Encarnación, Chabela Rodríguez, Sharleen Santos, Fanna, Laya Kalima, La Cotto, Tanicha Galarza, Machas Cabrías, Fabiola Muñoz, Las Cejas de Frida, Yadira y el zoológico, Kiani Medina, Esotérica Tropical, Gera Akate, Sashadai, Baby Pau, The Valerets, Karina Vélez, Colectivo Umoja, Sikotrópikas.
This article is part of a collaboration with Dimelomío, a platform that seeks to illuminate and document Puerto Rico's vibrant music scene. From intimate concerts to large-scale festivals, we are your eyes and ears on the ground. So you don't miss a thing.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
