RaiNao Proves She Is One To Watch on COLORS

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter RaiNao is the next Latin artist to enter the COLORS studio. The genre-less artist presents a captivating rendition of her new single “sofocón,” reinventing her sound while mixing plena with electronic sounds and reggaeton.

“I create music very freely, so I think many of my songs are genreless. More than a song, “sofocón” is a blend of my influences and the sounds I’ve been exploring over the past year,” she tells Hypebeast before her debut. To complement her eye-catching look made in collaboration with local designer Juan Pablo Vizcaíno Cortijo and Daniela Fabrizi, she presents “sofocón” against a bold purple backdrop. The single represents her evolving musical output, making it clear that she is an artist to watch in 2025.

We sat down with RaiNao to learn more about her COLORS debut, her connection with fashion, and her in-depth creative process.

Hypebeast: Your COLORS performance of “sofocón” was mesmerizing. What was the inspiration behind the way you approached this performance, and how did the unique setting shape the way you delivered the song?

“I’ve been manifesting this performance since I discovered COLORS, so as we say en bajita (on the low), I was getting ready for the moment. “sofocón” is very me, but also very Puerto Rico — from its sound to the way my senses imagined it. I wanted that feeling to come to life in my performance, so even my clothes carry a message of how I see “sofocón”: a hot day on the south coast of my island, living a love story.”

The blend of reggaeton and R&B in “sofocón” gives it a unique feel. What influences shape your music, and how do you incorporate different genres into your work?

“I create music very freely, so I think many of my songs are genreless. More than a song, “sofocón” is a blend of my influences and the sounds I’ve been exploring over the past year. In essence, this song is guided by the rhythm plena, mixed with electronic sounds derived from Afrobeat and reggaeton, and shaped by melodies from two of my favorite instruments: the saxophone and the trombone. I make music by mixing the things I love together — including people — and “sofocón” reflects that.”

Your style has always been distinct. How does fashion play a role in how you present yourself as an artist, and how did you decide on your look for the COLORS performance?

“I love the idea of carrying messages on my clothes. There’s a very important person in the (r)evolution of my style, and her name is Daniela Fabrizi. We share a love for fashion and for our planet, so the idea is always to transform pieces of clothing instead of going crazy shopping. This time, she transformed an old bodysuit into a piece that reflects our roots. I wanted to make my own interpretation of a Vegigante de Loíza, a cultural character that tells the story of our African ancestry. The bright colors and the coconut tree horns are two of the elements we used, in collaboration with Juan Pablo Vizcaíno Cortijo, an artist from Loíza, Puerto Rico.”

Can you tell us about your creative process when writing and recording music? How do you know when a song is ready to be shared with the world?

“I’m very grateful to say that my creative process has no limits. I create very freely with people that I admire and love. Songs can come from a clear idea, a deep emotion, or even from a joke, an image, or a noise coming through the window. The only rule is to make the attempt. Mi corillo (my crew) keeps me grounded, and I keep myself aware. I write every day — even if it’s just a phrase or a thought — so when I write songs, I have all those random thoughts in writing as resources. When it comes to recording, something I treasure a lot from my theater studies is that I get into character; I use that method to feel and transmit my emotions. I sing with my whole body. I believe my songs are complete when the world hears them. I know a song is ready when we manage to reach the sound that I like to hear from myself — and that makes me excited for others to hear. That’s why curating my music is one of the processes I enjoy most, and one that takes the longest.”

You’ve been evolving as an artist for a while now. What do you hope to explore next in your music, and where do you see yourself pushing boundaries?

“I think I’m a constant boundary-pusher, mostly with myself. I always feel like I’m in the process of challenging myself, learning, growing, and changing — and with music, it’s the same. I love to try things, because even if what I’m looking for doesn’t come up, I discover and evolve. I see myself taking my art to minds and places that are different from mine, because that’s the magic of music: we don’t always understand the why, but it makes us connect and feel.”

Your COLORS show was such a special moment. How did it feel to bring “sofocón” to life in that setting, and what made that particular performance stand out for you personally?

“I’m in the middle of a creative process where I’m exploring a lot and doing things differently to see what happens. “Sofocón” is the door to that new universe I’m in, and I’m very excited for the opportunity to show it to the world through a COLORS session.”

In addition to your music, you’ve been recognized for your unique aesthetic. How do you think your visual identity influences your music and the way your audience connects with you?

“You know, I don’t think a lot about my aesthetic. Obviously, I think I have good taste, but I’m very honest with myself and with the things I love. I’d like to think that people connect with me because they appreciate my genuineness and the effort that comes from the heart — that I put into every idea, video, song, or even a simple photo or outfit.”

If you could perform with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

“I would love to perform in two very different ways with two very different artists. One would be very musical — with a timba or an Afro-Caribbean band like Havana D’Primera. The other performance would be very physical, and recently I’ve been blown away by Doja Cat’s performances.”