JUNE'S ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: ESTEVIE

At just 23 years old, Estevie has become one of the most exciting artists redefining regional Mexican music. Blending vibrant cumbia rhythms with pop production and a distinctly Gen Z perspective, the SoCal-born singer is helping introduce traditional Latin sounds to an entirely new audience while honoring the music that shaped her upbringing.

Born Sarah Silva on February 4, 2003, and raised in Beaumont, California, Estevie's musical journey began early. At just 11 years old, she competed on the hit Mexican television singing competition La Academia Kids, finishing as the runner-up. By age 12, she had already released a full banda album, demonstrating a commitment to regional Mexican music long before it became one of the industry's fastest-growing genres.

As a first-generation Mexican-American with family roots in Mexicali, music from both sides of the border filled her childhood. She grew up listening to icons including Rocío Dúrcal, Linda Ronstadt, Ana Bárbara, and Alicia Villarreal, while also gravitating toward American pop artists like Gwen Stefani and Mariah Carey. Those influences continue to shape a sound that effortlessly bridges cultures.

Before becoming Estevie, she released music under her given name, including her 2019 album Mis Sentimientos. Her earliest releases, such as "Supernatural" and "Teddy," leaned into electronic pop, but by 2020 she began reinventing herself both sonically and artistically. Along with adopting the name Estevie, a stylized take inspired by family names and designed to reflect both English and Spanish pronunciation, she started embracing the musical traditions she grew up with.

That evolution came into full focus in 2021 with singles like "Canela" and "Cumbia Loca." "Canela," accompanied by a self-directed music video, showcased an artist confidently stepping into a fresh creative direction rooted in cumbia. Drawing heavily from the playful storytelling and energetic rhythms of cumbia sonidera, Estevie incorporates elements of norteño, reggaeton, and contemporary pop to create a sound that feels nostalgic while remaining unmistakably modern.

The result is music that recalls the charisma of Selena Quintanilla with the fearless pop instincts of Fergie, yet ultimately stands on its own. Rather than simply recreating traditional styles, Estevie reimagines them through a contemporary lens, making decades-old sounds resonate with a younger generation.

Her breakout continued with "La Cumbia del Cucuy," which helped expand her audience and led to several high-profile collaborations. She appeared on Eslabon Armado's groundbreaking 2022 album Nostalgia, the first regional Mexican album to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. She later teamed with DannyLux on the emotional duet "Triste Verano" before releasing her debut EP, Cumbialicious, in 2023. The project showcased her versatility, moving seamlessly between cumbia, regional Mexican, alternative pop, and indie influences, including a collaboration with fellow Southern California artist Cuco on "El Paso."

Long before these career milestones, Estevie was already building an audience online. As a teenager, she became part of a YouTube creator collective, serving as the group's vocalist while simultaneously growing her own fanbase. The experience led to international touring opportunities throughout South America, where she regularly performed for crowds numbering in the tens of thousands. Because of her increasingly busy performance schedule, she completed both middle and high school through homeschooling.

Despite her growing success, her career remains firmly rooted in family. Her mother oversees wardrobe, styling, and glam, her father manages technical and business operations, and her brother serves as her tour manager, making the project a true family effort behind the scenes.

Estevie's rise has accelerated rapidly over the past two years. She has toured alongside Iván Cornejo and Eddie Zuko, collaborated with Christian Nodal, opened for breakout regional Mexican star Xavi, and is preparing to join Kacey Musgraves on tour. Earlier this year, she also became the first Latin artist to receive SXSW's Grulke Prize for Developing U.S. Act, a recognition of her growing influence across genres and audiences.

She'll continue that momentum this July with a performance at BelicoFest as the festival makes its Los Angeles debut.

As regional Mexican music experiences unprecedented global popularity, Estevie has established herself as one of its defining new voices. In a movement largely led by male artists, she stands out by embracing cumbia's joyful spirit, blending it with modern pop sensibilities, and proving that tradition and innovation don't have to exist separately. They're at their most powerful when they move together.

Written by: Ana Oquendo

Photographed by: Steven Esperanza