We were lucky to catch up with LUCIRI recently and have shared our conversation below.
LUCIRI, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I’ve learned to be effective and successful by fully embracing what makes me different.
Growing up, I moved from state to state. I was born in California, then lived in New Jersey, and eventually settled in Texas. Because of my mixed Latino heritage and the moving around, I was rarely surrounded by people who looked like me. Instead, I was often bullied or picked on for being different. Even culturally, I’ve sometimes been told I’m not “Mexican enough” or “Puerto Rican enough.”
As I grew older, I realized that being different isn’t a weakness: it’s a strength! My parents have always encouraged me to love myself and take pride in who I am, and that foundation helped me see my identity as a superpower. Once you learn to embrace your uniqueness and use it to your advantage, you unlock a kind of confidence and effectiveness that no one can take from you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is LUCIRI (or “Ri” for short). I’m a bilingual artist who loves to sing and rap in both English and Spanish. I also play piano, alto-saxophone, flute, and guitar.
Right now, I’m especially excited about my latest single and music video, “CON MANÍ.” The track blends Latin, Latin rap, Latino Urbano, and hip-hop influences, creating a vibe that’s energetic, confident, and full of Latin rhythm.
“CON MANÍ” tells a story about who I am and what I bring to the table as an artist. The first verse actually came from one of my freestyles on KOOP 91.7 FM’s Hip-Hop Hooray Cypher. The lyrics flow between Spanish and English – what I like to call “Spanglish.” This is my first official major release, and I’m so proud to share both the song and music video with the world.
Shoutout to David Noble for the sick beat and guitar playing skills! And shoutout to Daniel Castillo for being an amazing videographer. “CON MANÍ” is available on all streaming platforms. Also, don’t forget to check out the music video! I hope you guys like it!!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey are being bold, being determined, and music.
Being bold is always a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking. What encourages me to stay bold is accepting the worst-case scenario, which in most cases is simply hearing “no.” You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and I’d rather face rejection, which can help me grow, than to live my life wondering “what if?”
Being determined is something I inherited from my mother. From being homeless to putting my sister and me through college, she showed me firsthand that anything is possible when you are determined. She taught me that if you want something badly enough, you have to work for it. With hard work, faith, and God, anything is possible. I’ve been fortunate to achieve what I’ve set out to do, not by luck, but through perseverance and determination.
And then, there’s music. Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad and I would dance salsa together, and I started playing piano when I was eight years old. When I struggled in school, I’d turn lessons into songs, jingles, or raps. From math to U.S history to chemistry, I learned by creating music. Later, I joined the marching band in high school and in college, both of which have helped shape me into the person I am today.
My advice for anyone early in their journey is to JUST DO YOU. In whatever form that looks like. Keep practicing what you love, do not be afraid to push your limits, and step outside your comfort zone. That’s where growth happens. There’s no perfect formula or a checklist of skills you need to succeed. Just be yourself, stay consistent, and embrace what makes you different. And if you ever feel lost or unsure of where to go next, go to God. He will shape and mold you into the person you are meant to be!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
The most helpful in overcoming challenges and building the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge I needed to be successful have been my parents and God. My parents have taught me the value of ethics, hard work, and faith. I know that the Lord is my backbone, guiding me through any challenges that come my way. With Him, anything is possible: you just need to have faith. I am truly blessed and grateful to have such supportive parents, and I cannot help but thank God for the beautiful family I have. Thank you mama, papa, y hermana querida <3
Contact Info:
- Website: http://lucirinazario.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucirimaryeri/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luciri-nazario
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@lucirimaryeri
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/dacdtBtOvC5W824vO0
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ri.picheaaa?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c5a0604e-f9a8-44aa-b4f2-acde958ac62b
Image Credits
Daniel Castillo | IG: @dan2thel
Grayson Goerner | IG: @graysongoerner
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
