MÓRIA
Born
Moria Lucia Estrella

05/05/1997
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Alma materAudio Engineering & Mixing Arts, Trebas Institute
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer, audio engineer
Years active2018 - Present
MÓRIA
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocal, Piano, Güira
LabelsSummer of 85 (2020-2022) Independiente - Present

Mória Lucia Estrella (born May 5, 1997) known mononymously as MÓRIA (Spanish pronunciation: [[mo' Ria]] ' is a Dominican singer, songwriter, producer and sound engineer. Known as the Dominican upcoming prospect for her genre-bending qualities, starting from bachata with other musical styles shown on her debut EP 'SERENO DE LA NOCHE' released in November 2023 which was highlighted as one of the best Spanish albums of the year by Rolling Stone.

Biography and musical career

edit

Born in Santo Domingo and raised in Toronto, Canadá, her debut EP 'SERENO DE LA NOCHE' was included among the best Spanish-language albums of 2023 by Rolling Stone, which was highlighted for it's diverse range of influences and genres. Since she was little, she had a love for music, after finishing high school, MÓRIA studied audio engineering at the Trebas Arts School in Toronto, which currently helps her develop her music. At that time, she recorded herself and released her own songs through SoundCloud.

MÓRIA was one of the two female graduates in her degree in Audio Engineering and Mixing/DJ Arts, at Trebas Institute in Toronto. In 2018 she officially began her music career by releasing singles as an independent artist such as 'Empoderá' where she experimented her first blend of genres, reason why she currently stands out, in 2019 she released her single 'Dripiao' that attracted attention in her motherland while keeping her Toronto R&B influences through melodies. She claims this song was the first experience she described the influences she grew up with in Toronto and colloquial rhymes from the Dominican Republic. Her style contains references to different styles, among bachata, trap, drill, rock and her Dominican roots, specifically bachata melodies dabbled in other genres.

In 2019, MÓRIA signs with the independent sub-label 'Summer of 85', represented by producer and composer Nineteen85, whose parent company is OVO SOUND. Which includes artists such as Drake, PartyNextDoor, Naomi Sharon, Majid Jordan. ​Mória did not manage to release official songs in this period but she did co-collaborate on projects such as C Tangana's 'nah', then in 2023 she decided to continue as an independent artist and follow her dream.

In 2019, MÓRIA signed with independent Canadian sub-label 'Summer of 85', represented by producer and composer Nineteen85, whose parent company is OVO SOUND. Which includes artists such as Drake, PartyNextDoor, Naomi Sharon, Majid Jordan. Following this, ​MÓRIA did not manage to release any official songs in this period but she did co-collaborate on projects such as 'Nunca Estoy' by C Tangana, then in late 2022, she decided to continue as an independent artist and follow her beliefs.

Throughout 2023, she debuted her first international music festival 'III Points', where she shared stage with artist/Dj MJ Nebreda, following her participation in different showcases during Latin Billboard Week in Miami this same year. Besides being recognized by Rolling Stone among the best Spanish-Language albums of 2023 even though it was only her debut EP 'Sereno de la noche', she earned other important mentions by the 'LA Times' among the 'Top Latin Music Songs of 2023' and selections from 'LATINA' magazine, especially for her third lead single from this project 'MODA', she managed to achieve special positions in important editorial playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music.

Later in 2024, MÓRIA continued to release singles where she highlighted her diverse sense of genres such as Dembow with Bachata for «Atlas Celestial», Jersey Club and Bachata, turning the iconic Aventura's song «Angelito» into a futuristic bachata cover with an urban flavor, traditional bachata with experimental hints for «Rota Nunca Queda» which has also been listed by the digital magazine Remezcla among important releases along other playlists of editorial recognition.

Artistry

edit

Musical style

edit

MÓRIA's sound has been described as its own genre or named by the artist as 'darkchata'. Her songs tend to bring iconic bachata influences into other spaces, also melancholic and/or nostalgic sounds as well as a big reference to hip/hop culture in general, in addition to her aesthetics where represents important elements of the Emo-Punk movement of the 2000s. The artist's songs usually speak about motivation, healing, empowerment, heartbreak and experiences described in an atypical way.

Personal life

edit

At the age of 12, she was part of the church choir at her local school. MÓRIA then had to leave the group when she moved to Toronto, where he continued with singing classes. She self taught English by listening and translating Avril Lavigne's and Lil Wayne's songs. Her father was a diplomat so the family had to travel all the time, they decided to settle down and make Toronto a home. Her mother, also Dominican, is one of her biggest impacts in fashion since she was a model through her youth years, her father, is the main influence for her songwriting and musical culture as he used to play iconic artists like Juan Luis Guerra, Drexler, Serrat, rock band Rush, among others. MÓRIA resides most of the time in Santo Domingo, she expresses having too much connection with her roots when creating.

In 2024, despite everything that was published on the news and the problematic commotion surrounding the rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, MÓRIA was linked to the Toronto rapper, following his releases ''BONU$ RACK'' and 'Angelito' which caught his attention.

Discografía

edit

Sencillos

edit
  • EMPODERÁ (2019)
  • Bless Me (2019)
  • DRIPIAO (2019)
  • Frizao (2020)
  • NVCN RMX (2023)
  • OYE (2023)
  • BALA (2023)
  • MODA (2023)
  • Cotorro (2023)
  • BONU$ RACK (2023)
  • Atlas Celestial (2024)
  • Angelito (2024)
  • Rota Nunca Queda (2024)

Referencias

edit