With ‘Ring Ring,’ Niko Rubio captures the California she grew up in

by

From an early age, Niko Rubio had made up her mind that she wanted to become a singer. However, the challenge lay in determining her unique musical style.

The 24-year-old artist, who hails from Los Angeles’ South Bay and has Mexican and Salvadoran roots, was consistently inspired by her family to chase her artistic dreams. During her preteen years, her grandmother on her mother’s side even urged her to try out for “La Voz Kids,” the Spanish version of “The Voice” for singers under 15. Although she didn’t make it onto the show, this experience solidified her conviction that she was destined for a career in music.

She stated, ‘I’m part of the first generation who can freely express themselves through music, and I don’t have to start a family immediately. I can tell my grandparents, ‘I won’t attend college; instead, I’ll explore becoming a songwriter.’

As a child of immigrants in sunny Southern California, much like myself, Rubio was immersed in a musical fusion of English and Spanish tunes. Grandfather Sergio would spin records from Pedro Infante and Shakira, while mom Vilma introduced her to the beats of Sublime and No Doubt.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always cherished my deep-rooted bond with my beloved abuelos, who encouraged me to sing traditional Mexican tunes. However, it was my mother’s sage advice that alleviated some of the pressure I felt in this regard.

She expresses that her intention was to bring joy to them,” she states. “However, her mother responded with a sentiment similar to, ‘Forget about making them happy, just do as you please.’

In the song “Ring Ring,” she beautifully embodies that sentiment. This four-track EP, launched on Atlantic Records on July 15, represents her upbringing and delves into the experience of being bilingual and first generation in this country today. Traditional Mexican music instruments form the backbone of these catchy pop ballads sung in Spanish. The introductory track, “Baby,” begins with an accordion, followed by Rubio’s captivating voice. In “Quisiera Saber,” Rubio yearns for someone she longs for but cannot attain, expressing this desire in a dreamy tone reminiscent of Lana del Rey, accompanied by percussion and strings typical of romantic boleros.

To start off, Rubio embarked on her musical journey in the realms of alternative Rhythm and Blues (alt-R&B) and alternative rock. At the tender age of 19, she sealed a deal with the independent record label, Sandlot Records, which was established by songwriter Jacob Kasher. Notably, this label has previously worked with renowned artists such as Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, Maroon 5, Dua Lipa, and Lady Gaga. Rubio reminisces warmly about her initial work, yet acknowledges that she was still in the process of discovering her identity as an artist during that period.

She admits she was quite young,” she says. “My debut EP from 2021, titled ‘Wish You Were Here,’ is a vibrant blend of pop and alt-rock that I’m deeply fond of and feel great about, but at the time, I was simply too timid. I lacked the experience or self-awareness.

Although the Extended Play (EP) featured a song titled “Amor” in Spanish, it seemed that her music lacked an essential element – a reflection of her Latin heritage. She aimed to embody a blend of the California she was raised in.

She shared her concept for an unusual album that blends the vibe of California beaches with Mexican rock and mariachi music, creating a romantic atmosphere,” she said.

I communicated this to everyone on my team and my record label: ‘I’m planning to create two projects in Spanish. I’ll be stepping away from English for a while. This is essential for my family, and it’s something I need to do personally.’

×

She agonized over what it would sound like.

She expressed that she didn’t wish to merely produce another piece of art as a Latin artist, filling a void without creating something unique, meaningful, or telling an authentic story.

Eventually, she managed to find a suitable partner in the Grammy Award-winning producer Lester Mendez, whom Rubio greatly admired for his ability to incorporate Shakira’s Lebanese and Colombian roots in her 2005 album “Fijación Oral, Vol. 1.” This was the kind of mix she aspired to achieve in her own creations — a unique fusion of her personal influences.

They collaborated on “Mar y Tierra,” which is Rubio’s debut Spanish extended play that dropped in September last year. This release includes the notable track “Sirena,” a romantic duet with Cuco, a singer based in Hawthorne, that incorporates elements of bossa nova.

The original release date for “Ring Ring” was set for June, but unexpectedly, federal agents conducting immigration raids in Los Angeles and across the nation caused widespread fear among immigrant communities. This event left her stunned, leading to a delay in the album’s release. She later decided to reschedule it to July 15 and pledged to contribute 10% of all merchandise sales towards the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, an organization that offers legal aid and policy advocacy for immigrants.

She expressed on Instagram that her initial headlining performance was an unforgettable, awe-inspiring, delightful, flawless evening, following which she declared herself as the luckiest girl globally.

In numerous aspects, Rubio felt motivated by observing people standing up against immigration sweeps, and he took great pride in witnessing Southern California’s solidarity as it stood together.

She remarked that it was truly inspiring to witness the unity during the June protest, and the way the city of Bell challenged ICE agents was nothing short of remarkable.

It’s crucial that we increase our efforts in this matter. The struggle is unbalanced because many people are too scared to take a stand, fearing they might become the next target. As such, it falls upon us who have the courage to speak out. I am proud of my generation for standing up and refusing to ignore these issues. We were brought up by and around immigrants, and we will not tolerate this unjust use of power.

When asked what it means to sing in Spanish at this moment, Rubio is unapologetic about her roots.

At this moment, it’s crucial than ever before to take pride in being Mexican and Salvadorian,” Rubio emphasized. “It’s essential that we express our own experiences truthfully. It’s essential that we respect our culture, appreciate our roots, recognize the effort our ancestors put into bringing us here, and acknowledge that we have a right to be here, and we are indeed here.

Read More

2025-07-30 00:01