Arca (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arca
Arca at Sónar in Barcelona, 2019
Born	(1989-10-14) October 14, 1989 (age 35) Caracas, Venezuela
Occupation	Musician singer composer DJ record producer model mixing engineer
Years active	2012–present
Works	Discography
Musical career
Genres	Electronic experimental IDM industrial hip hop avant-pop alternative reggaeton
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	XL Mute Hippos in Tanks UNO NYC Poni Republic Nang Soundsister
Associated acts	Björk FKA Twigs Jesse Kanda Kelela Oliver Coates Cardopusher [es]

Alejandra Ghersi Rodríguez (born October 14, 1989), known as Arca, is a musician and record producer from Venezuela. She lives in Barcelona, Spain. Arca makes unique electronic music. She is also known for working with famous artists like Kanye West, Björk, and FKA Twigs.

Arca started making music under the name Nuuro. After studying music at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, she began releasing music as Arca. Her early EPs, like Baron Libre and Stretch 2, mixed different sounds, including hip hop.

She released her first two albums, Xen and Mutant, in 2014 and 2015. Her third album, Arca (2017), was special because it was the first time her own singing was a big part of her music. From 2020 to 2021, Arca released a series of five albums called the Kick quintet. These albums explored many styles, including IDM, reggaeton, avant-pop, techno, and ambient. Arca often explores themes of identity in her work.

Arca has also produced music and collaborated with many other artists. She helped produce songs on Kanye West's Yeezus (2013) and FKA Twigs' EP2 (2013) and LP1 (2014). She also worked closely with Björk on her albums Vulnicura (2015) and Utopia (2017). Other artists she has worked with include Kelela, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Rosalía, and Lady Gaga.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Arca was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Her father, Henrique Ghersi Rossón, is an investment banker. She also has an older brother whose music collection she enjoyed listening to when she was young.

When Arca was three, her family moved to Darien, Connecticut, in the United States. They moved back to Caracas when she was nine. After returning to Caracas, Arca started playing the friction drum and making electronic music using a program called FL Studio. As a teenager, she released music under the name Nuuro. She became quite popular in Venezuela and even worked with other Venezuelan artists. Later, she attended the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU.

Arca's Music Journey

Early EPs and First Albums (2012–2016)

On February 1, 2012, Arca released her first extended play (EP) called Baron Libre. Later that year, she released two more EPs, Stretch 1 and Stretch 2.

In 2013, Arca helped produce and write five songs on Kanye West's album Yeezus, which came out in June. She also released her first mixtape, &&&&&, in July 2013. This project included a special audio and visual show with artist Jesse Kanda. In September 2013, Arca produced and co-wrote every song on FKA Twigs' EP2.

In September 2014, Arca signed with Mute Records. She then released her first studio album, Xen, in November 2014. Arca also played a big part in Björk's album Vulnicura, released in January 2015. She co-produced seven songs and co-wrote two. Arca said they started working together after Björk heard her mixtape &&&&&.

Arca's second studio album, Mutant, was released in November 2015. In July 2016, she released another mixtape called Entrañas.

Arca Album and the Kick Series (2017–Present)

On February 22, 2017, Arca signed with XL Recordings. She released "Piel," the first song from her third album, Arca. This song was notable because it featured Arca singing, which was new for her music. The album Arca was released in April 2017 and received great reviews.

Later in 2017, Arca worked with Björk again on her album Utopia, producing most of the songs. Björk said the album explored the connection between their two styles. Arca also worked with Kelela on her album Take Me Apart in October 2017, producing several tracks.

In September 2019, Arca performed a series of shows called "Mutant;Faith" in New York City. These shows were known for being improvised and interactive.

On February 19, 2020, Arca released a long single called "@@@@@" with a music video. Her fourth album, Kick I, was announced in March 2020. It featured artists like Björk, Rosalía, and Shygirl. Kick I was released in June 2020 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. In September 2021, Arca's remix of "Rain on Me" by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande was released.

In June 2021, Arca released a seven-track EP called "Issued by Bottega," which was available through Bottega Veneta's digital journal. The follow-up albums to Kick I – Kick II, Kick III, and Kick IIII – were released in late 2021. A fifth album, Kick IIIII, was released as a surprise. Arca also co-produced "Tears in the Club" by FKA Twigs and "Thank You Song" from FKA Twigs' mixtape Caprisongs.

In June 2023, Arca made a surprise appearance at Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour in Barcelona, opening for her.

Arca's Artistic Style

Music Style and Themes

Arca's music is often described as experimental music, hip hop music, and IDM. Her earlier music as Nuuro was more like "electronic indie pop" and "dreamy synth-pop". She often explores themes of identity and imagination in her songs.

Her music has been compared to other electronic artists like Aphex Twin. Her album Arca (2017) was noted for being the first time she used her voice a lot in her songs. Her early EPs, Stretch 1 and Stretch 2, were compared to hip hop and club music.

Influences

Arca says her brother's music collection, which included artists like Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Björk, greatly influenced her when she was growing up. The American composer Wendy Carlos has also been a major influence.

According to Arca, Wendy Carlos inspired her to use her voice more on her album Arca. Arca also loves pop music, which influenced her Kick I album. She has mentioned Madonna as an influence, saying Madonna's music and image were very important in her home. Arca also said that German composer Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen was a main inspiration for her Kick series. She also finds nightclubs to be a place where she feels at home.

Visuals

From 2012 to 2018, Arca often worked with Jesse Kanda on the visual side of her albums. He created the album art for Xen (2014), Mutant (2015), and Arca (2017). She also worked with director Daniel Sannwald on her music videos.

For the Kick series, Frederik Heyman created the album artwork for most of the albums. The artwork for Kick I was created by Arca herself, Catalan artist Carlota Guerrero, and Spanish artist Carlos Sáez.

Personal Life

Arca shared in 2018 that she identifies as non-binary, and later as a trans woman. She uses she/her and it/its pronouns, and as of 2022, also they/them pronouns. She has spoken about her identity as a "trans Latina woman" and how her "gayness" is a part of her cultural expression.

Arca used to live in London and now lives in Barcelona. She has supported the Musicians For Palestine pledge, choosing not to perform in Israel following events in 2021.

Discography

• Xen (2014)
• Mutant (2015)
• Arca (2017)
• Kick I (2020)
• Kick II (2021)
• Kick III (2021)
• Kick IIII (2021)
• Kick IIIII (2021)

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Arca performing at Sónar in Barcelona, 2019

See also

In Spanish: Arca (cantante) para niños