duendita’s Sonic Safe Space Goes Beyond Sound
WORDS BY Beatriz Ceita da Costa
PHOTOS BY Nayquan Shuler
Your music often blends soul, jazz, and experimental sounds with a Latin influence in such a raw, emotional way. What inspires you to push boundaries sonically and spiritually in your work?
Experimentation is the most important part [for me], and raw expression. Getting whatever it is on my mind and on my heart onto the page or onto the track [matters the most to me]. The pen is sacred, and to honor it, I’m going to be open and vulnerable by making noise, being loud, and making mistakes. I’m going to try different things out just to be in the process of being myself. I think some of the best little “bleeps” and “boops” come from accidents and being able to be messy sometimes.
DUENDITA:
Right now, I would say I’m focused on having more of a nurturing spirit and being less harsh with myself so I can show up for my friends and family in a more gentle way. I think relationships are really important, and my life’s work is my relationships with my friends, family, and collaborators. It’s very important to me to be in community and to be reflective of my impact and the way I can impact others. Being more gentle, more soft, and a loving space for people is something that’s especially on my mind now because sometimes I can be pretty harsh.
DUENDITA:
You’re vocal about spirituality, activism, and healing in your music. How do these values show up in your real-life community work or presence?
A proud Nuyorican through and through, the soul-baring songstress heals her heart and her community with unfiltered harmonies.
Photographer: Nayquan Shuler
Writer: Beatriz Ceita da Costa
Executive Producer: Elana Staroselsky
Senior Producer: Sarah Schecker
Production Coordinator: Gina Lee
Executive Creative Director: Paul Heavener
Associate Creative Director: Jamier Boatman-Harrell
WEB DESIGN: YENNA CHANG
Stylist: Sharifa Morris
Set Designer: Maisie Sattler
HMU Artist: Kento Utsubo
Photo Assistants: John Manuel Gomez
Stylist Assistant: Morgan Smith
Set Assistants: Robie Scola, Aisha Gunnell
Production Assistants: Samuel Hana, James Hil
DATE: AUGUST 12 2025
PLANTA INDUSTRIAL
DUENDITA
FIFI ZHANG
DREAMCASTMOE
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PLANTA INDUSTRIAL
DUENDITA
FIFI ZHANG
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There’s magic in making mistakes — in the mishaps, missteps, and moments of her becoming — and duendita knows this to be true because they’ve paved the way for her passion. Some shy away from the fear of it all, but she runs straight towards it, since she knows it’ll shape her and echo through her songs. Soulful rhythms and rhymes are windows into her world, sculpted to heal her heart and, in turn, her tribe’s. With every word she writes and every song she serenades, she speaks life into the souls that seek her light, illuminating those closest to New York’s concrete city — such as herself — and beyond. A native of one of New York City’s most diverse neighborhoods, South Richmond Hill, the spirit-guided singer harnesses her Queens upbringing and rich Nuyorican roots to develop the sanctifying sound that is duendita — a sound that has solidified her standing as a rising artist of the new generation. At 29 (almost 30) with an August birthday that mirrors her sunny disposition, duendita has dedicated over a decade to her craft — and just as deeply, to her community. At the core of her experimental compositions, a balance between soul-baring singles and, more recently, dance-driven tracks, lies her commitment to creating safe spaces, both spiritually and sonically.
Not only do her raw harmonies serve as a home for those finding their way toward self-acceptance and self-love, but through her music, she also gives back, offering free stems to those inspired to share their truth and inner talent as she does.
No two truths are the same. For the a strong desire to survive songstress, truth takes shape as a story steeped in gratitude and a certain gusto for life. Her love for the magical messiness of life comes alive in her music, both tangible and transcendent, inspired by the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. The “One of One” crooner often finds herself in the fields of Puerto Rico or the parks of NYC, collaborating with the world around her. “I love making field recordings,” she shares. “I love recording nature and recording different sounds and incorporating that into my beats or sampling the outdoors.” Collaboration is at the heart of her creativity, and while she’s no novice to collaborating with nature, she’s also not new to creating art with her community. At first glance, duendita appears to be a solo artist, but the vibrant vocalist, born Candance Camacho, affectionately refers to duendita as a band as well. Alongside her artistry, Camacho collaborates with creative minds across many mediums that help her bring her sonic visions to fruition. Dear friends — including fellow singers Emily, Vanessa, and Berlin-based musician, painter, and producer Noah Baker — craft her tear-jerking tracks and are now helping her develop her dancey summer sound. As she conjures melodies meant to make you move — designed to evoke the same sense of gratitude she holds dear — duendita invites us into her safe space for the summer. Named a leader of the next generation of artists by Nueva Generaciones, a music initiative powered by Corona® Extra in honor of Hypetrak’s return, Camacho speaks on how healing and creativity deepen her bond with her community.
The pen is sacred, and to honor it, I’m going to be open and vulnerable by making noise, being loud, and making mistakes.
Speaking more to that sense of community, how do you see your music as a tool for creating community or sparking deeper connection among people?
Something I like to do is give out stems for free so people can remix or make their own tracks out of my “bleeps” and “bloops.” I think that's super fun. I also have a Patreon where I share demos, and some of them are terrible, but people still show up there, allowing me to be in a creative conversation with them. This summer, I’m going to release dance tracks and [typical] things you would hear in the club. My intention is that we might feel a sense of collective gratitude together and a celebration of life. I’m hoping that my music can be present in that way.
DUENDITA:
Why do you feel like this summer you’re gravitating more towards club and dance beats? Is it because you’re trying to cultivate that sense of joy and vitality?
Definitely. I think I've released a lot of “emo” music, but I'm done with that. It's time for celebration. I love life. Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude.
DUENDITA:
Do you feel like your earlier, more emotional music reflected what you were experiencing at that point in your life?
My music is the most honest part of me. A place where I can really express myself raw, [even though] sometimes I'm like, "Girl, this is too much." [However,] I’m glad these artifacts live and I would encourage everyone to make songs and express these things. I feel like it’s a very basic part of human life.
DUENDITA:
Could you talk to me a bit more about your current music-making process? As you’re working on these more dancey songs, what does that creative process look like for you right now?
It really depends on the track. Sometimes it’s very isolated. Some songs start independently on my drum machine, or I’m just writing lyrics to a beat I made. Other songs are collaborative [that I make with my friends], Noah [Becker], Emily, and Vanessa. The songs [releasing] this summer, we’re singing in three-part harmony. It's the joy of my life to perform with them. So, it really depends on the track, but I really enjoy singing and making music with my family and friends. That's what I want to focus on.
DUENDITA:
So, it really depends on the track, but I really enjoy singing and making music with my family and friends. That's what I want to focus on.
Speaking both musically and more broadly, what inspires you?
Nature inspires me the most. Especially on tour driving through the mountains, I saw some mountains that were flat and square, and it looked like a cartoon. It looked like “How could this be real?” I'm also a bird watcher, and I'm so blown away by the number of species of birds that God created. I just think creation and creativity are endless, and our art is a reflection of that. We're all creations. We're all created, and it's really one big celebration when you think about how God is the ultimate artist for making this place. So yeah, I was very emotional on tour, looking out the window because I was like, “Wow, America is beautiful.” On the other hand, live music is [another] one of my biggest inspirations. My parents instilled a love of music and a love of studying and practice in me. I also love being from New York because there are a lot of artists who come to New York and bring their culture over. So, I love DJs from Baltimore, DJs from all over the place. I like going out and seeing different cultures coexist in New York.
DUENDITA:
Reflecting on your New York roots and being born and raised in Queens, how has your upbringing shaped you and your journey?
I can’t even imagine being from someplace else. I don’t even know if I’d be making music the same if I were. I really came up in this city, performing at DIY venues, making music with friends in my neighborhood. This is my history and my culture that I’m expressing. Especially with my parents being from the Bronx and the Lower East Side, it’s part of my cultural heritage to make music and be an emcee. It makes me emotional because, in a lot of ways, I’m deepening my lineage.
DUENDITA:
This is my history and my culture that I’m expressing. Especially with my parents being from the Bronx and the Lower East Side, it’s part of my cultural heritage to make music and be an emcee. It makes me emotional because, in a lot of ways, I’m deepening my lineage.
Since this story celebrates the next wave of NYC cultural trailblazers, through Nueva Generaciones, what does it mean to you to be spotlighted by Corona Extra as a rising New York artist helping shape what’s next?
I think it's so important for everyone on earth to build their archive, to write songs or express themselves in some way that would make our descendants smile and make our quality of life richer. I'm grateful that I have an outlet to express myself and people to share it with. I'm also lucky that music and art change my life all the time, and touch my soul all the time. I'm just grateful to be here. None of us should be holding back. This is our time to be born. Our time to live fully and love fully. I’m trying to learn myself and learn the people I love deeper every day, and just show up better every day.
DUENDITA:
As someone who’s always reimagining what music and performance can be, what excites you most about partnering with a brand like Corona Extra?
I'm excited to play the gig and experiment. [Being able to] create a safe space with people to share weird music with, and be loud and be messy. I love that so much. So, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to share my work and come and be accepted as I am.
DUENDITA:
None of us should be holding back. This is our time to be born. Our time to live fully and love fully.
You’ve said how you love your life and how grateful you are, which is refreshing, especially in tough times like these. Do you feel that mindset is something you’ve always had, or did it take time and work to get there?
It's both. As deep as my sense of gratitude is for being alive, so are the depths of despair I can be in. I try to keep it light,especially coming home from tour [recently]. I’m just appreciating New York because I do have a stable life here, and it makes me very happy. I'm in a deeply appreciative space for my home and what it means to be an artist from New York, and get to share your art outside of the city for the first time. Some cities I’ve never been to before. So, I think I'm just appreciating that I am myself and I'm unique.
DUENDITA:
I'm in a deeply appreciative space for my home and what it means to be an artist from New York, and get to share your art outside of the city for the first time.
Overall, what’s the lasting impact you hope to have with your music and artistic identity? As someone who speaks so much about healing and creating safe spaces, would you say that’s the legacy you hope to leave, or is there something more?
I just want to be bold and so in tune with myself that I express myself as clearly and as elegantly as possible. I want to be in that process with the people I love and make beautiful art with my community.
DUENDITA:
It's time for celebration. I love life. Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude.
WORDS BY Beatriz Ceita da Costa
You’re vocal about spirituality, activism, and healing in your music. How do these values show up in your real-life community work or presence?
Right now, I would say I’m focused on having more of a nurturing spirit and being less harsh with myself so I can show up for my friends and family in a more gentle way. I think relationships are really important, and my life’s work is my relationships with my friends, family, and collaborators. It’s very important to me to be in community and to be reflective of my impact and the way I can impact others. Being more gentle, more soft, and a loving space for people is something that’s especially on my mind now because sometimes I can be pretty harsh.
DUENDITA:
You’re vocal about spirituality, activism, and healing in your music. How do these values show up in your real-life community work or presence?
Right now, I would say I’m focused on having more of a nurturing spirit and being less harsh with myself so I can show up for my friends and family in a more gentle way. I think relationships are really important, and my life’s work is my relationships with my friends, family, and collaborators. It’s very important to me to be in community and to be reflective of my impact and the way I can impact others. Being more gentle, more soft, and a loving space for people is something that’s especially on my mind now because sometimes I can be pretty harsh.
DUENDITA:
Speaking more to that sense of community, how do you see your music as a tool for creating community or sparking deeper connection among people?
Something I like to do is give out stems for free so people can remix or make their own tracks out of my “bleeps” and “bloops.” I think that's super fun. I also have a Patreon where I share demos, and some of them are terrible, but people still show up there, allowing me to be in a creative conversation with them. This summer, I’m going to release dance tracks and [typical] things you would hear in the club. My intention is that we might feel a sense of collective gratitude together and a celebration of life. I’m hoping that my music can be present in that way.
DUENDITA:
Why do you feel like this summer you’re gravitating more towards club and dance beats? Is it because you’re trying to cultivate that sense of joy and vitality?
Something I like to do is give out stems for free so people can remix or make their own tracks out of my “bleeps” and “bloops.” I think that's super fun. I also have a Patreon where I share demos, and some of them are terrible, but people still show up there, allowing me to be in a creative conversation with them. This summer, I’m going to release dance tracks and [typical] things you would hear in the club. My intention is that we might feel a sense of collective gratitude together and a celebration of life. I’m hoping that my music can be present in that way.
DUENDITA:
Do you feel like your earlier, more emotional music reflected what you were experiencing at that point in your life?
My music is the most honest part of me. A place where I can really express myself raw, [even though] sometimes I'm like, "Girl, this is too much." [However,] I’m glad these artifacts live and I would encourage everyone to make songs and express these things. I feel like it’s a very basic part of human life.
DUENDITA:
The pen is sacred, and to honor it, I’m going to be open and vulnerable by making noise, being loud, and making mistakes.
Could you talk to me a bit more about your current music-making process? As you’re working on these more dancey songs, what does that creative process look like for you right now?
It really depends on the track. Sometimes it’s very isolated. Some songs start independently on my drum machine, or I’m just writing lyrics to a beat I made. Other songs are collaborative [that I make with my friends], Noah [Baker], Emily, and Vanessa. The songs [releasing] this summer, we’re singing in three-part harmony. It's the joy of my life to perform with them. So, it really depends on the track, but I really enjoy singing and making music with my family and friends. That's what I want to focus on.
DUENDITA:
Speaking both musically and more broadly, what inspires you?
Nature inspires me the most. Especially on tour driving through the mountains, I saw some mountains that were flat and square, and it looked like a cartoon. It looked like “How could this be real?” I'm also a bird watcher, and I'm so blown away by the number of species of birds that God created. I just think creation and creativity are endless, and our art is a reflection of that. We're all creations. We're all created, and it's really one big celebration when you think about how God is the ultimate artist for making this place. So yeah, I was very emotional on tour, looking out the window because I was like, “Wow, America is beautiful.” On the other hand, live music is [another] one of my biggest inspirations. My parents instilled a love of music and a love of studying and practice in me. I also love being from New York because there are a lot of artists who come to New York and bring their culture over. So, I love DJs from Baltimore, DJs from all over the place. I like going out and seeing different cultures coexist in New York.
DUENDITA:
So, it really depends on the track, but I really enjoy singing and making music with my family and friends. That's what I want to focus on.
Reflecting on your New York roots and being born and raised in Queens, how has your upbringing shaped you and your journey?
I can’t even imagine being from someplace else. I don’t even know if I’d be making music the same if I were. I really came up in this city, performing at DIY venues, making music with friends in my neighborhood. This is my history and my culture that I’m expressing. Especially with my parents being from the Bronx and the Lower East Side, it’s part of my cultural heritage to make music and be an emcee. It makes me emotional because, in a lot of ways, I’m deepening my lineage.
DUENDITA:
This is my history and my culture that I’m expressing. Especially with my parents being from the Bronx and the Lower East Side, it’s part of my cultural heritage to make music and be an emcee. It makes me emotional because, in a lot of ways, I’m deepening my lineage.
Since this story celebrates the next wave of NYC cultural trailblazers, through Nueva Generaciones, what does it mean to you to be spotlighted by Corona Extra as a rising New York artist helping shape what’s next?
I think it's so important for everyone on earth to build their archive, to write songs or express themselves in some way that would make our descendants smile and make our quality of life richer. I'm grateful that I have an outlet to express myself and people to share it with. I'm also lucky that music and art change my life all the time, and touch my soul all the time. I'm just grateful to be here. None of us should be holding back. This is our time to be born. Our time to live fully and love fully. I’m trying to learn myself and learn the people I love deeper every day, and just show up better every day.
DUENDITA:
Since this story celebrates the next wave of NYC cultural trailblazers, through Nueva Generaciones, what does it mean to you to be spotlighted by Corona Extra as a rising New York artist helping shape what’s next?
I think it's so important for everyone on earth to build their archive, to write songs or express themselves in some way that would make our descendants smile and make our quality of life richer. I'm grateful that I have an outlet to express myself and people to share it with. I'm also lucky that music and art change my life all the time, and touch my soul all the time. I'm just grateful to be here. None of us should be holding back. This is our time to be born. Our time to live fully and love fully. I’m trying to learn myself and learn the people I love deeper every day, and just show up better every day.
DUENDITA:
None of us should be holding back. This is our time to be born. Our time to live fully and love fully.
As someone who’s always reimagining what music and performance can be, what excites you most about partnering with a brand like Corona Extra?
I'm excited to play the gig and experiment. [Being able to] create a safe space with people to share weird music with, and be loud and be messy. I love that so much. So, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to share my work and come and be accepted as I am.
DUENDITA:
PLANTA INDUSTRIAL
DREAMCASTMOE
presented by corona extra