Get to know Niña Dioz, the rapper on the cusp of international recognition

Since she emerged over a decade ago, Mexican rapper Niña Dioz’s relentless grinding has built her a fanbase far beyond her homeland.

Raised in a conservative family, the 31-year-old, born Carla Reyna, came out as gay when she was 15. While she was conscious of not becoming known as ‘the gay rapper’, it did help her develop the fortitude to stand out in the notoriously machismo underground Monterrey scene.

“I was the only woman showing up to perform,” she tells us over the phone following an early morning CrossFit session. “They were super-tough guys and I was out of place.”

Over the years, her sound has evolved to blend deep-rooted urban beats with elements of trap, while maintaining an acid-tongued flair that’s reflected in her smooth rhymes and introspective lyrics.

Though she’d sometimes hear murmurs about her sexuality and talents, Dioz didn’t let the naysayers faze her, quickly rising above the culture that dominated Mexican hip hop.

Gradually, her profile garnered her attention beyond her north-eastern Mexican enclave. She’s one of the first female rappers to have been played on Mexican radio, and became known to many outside that underground scene.

Dioz’s success in Mexico – where she remains popular – didn’t prevent her from facing challenges when she moved to Hollywood three years ago, her decision to carry on rapping in Spanish rather than English perhaps affecting her ability to capture a wider audience.

Now, though, she’s on the cusp of mass communication due to her willingness to experiment, and her ferocious work ethic. Her latest single, ‘Nubes’, produced by Shigeto, is a steady, building track that offers a glimpse of her laid-back swagger.

As for the rest of this year, Dioz has a new single, ‘Dale’, and a new EP on the way, as she continues her climb towards the mainstream.

“I just want to get my name out there,” she says. “I want people in America to know Niña Dioz, and I
hope 2017 is the year when that happens.”