Ana Maria: Bringing Latin Soul to the UK Music Scene
Ana's Journal
With deep Colombian roots and a London upbringing, Ana Maria—aka La Latina de Londres—is on a mission to bring Latin music to the forefront of the UK music industry.
Born in Colombia but raised in London, Ana Maria is an artist who seamlessly blends the best of both worlds. With a love for Salsa Romántica, Merengue, Música de Despecho, and Baladas, she takes these timeless Latin sounds and fuses them with modern pop, R&B, and even disco. Now, she’s setting out to show the world that Latinos in the UK exist, and they’re here to make an impact.
How Her Latin Heritage Shaped Her Sound
For Ana Maria, music was always a family affair. “Throughout my whole life, my parents played Latin music around the house—especially on weekend cleaning days,” she recalls. That early exposure shaped her taste in music, even when it set her apart from her peers. “At my quinceañera, I remember being in a limo with my friends, and they were all singing along to the latest reggaeton hits. But I didn’t know a single word. All I knew were the songs of Salsa Romántica, Merengue, and Baladas.”
Now, she embraces those roots in her music, blending them with contemporary influences to create something fresh. “My music is a mix of old-school Latin sounds with modern pop and R&B elements—and sometimes even a little disco. It’s a way to honour my heritage while making it accessible to a new generation.”
Finding Purpose in the UK Music Industry
Being a Latina in the UK music scene presented a challenge—and an opportunity. “I always looked up to Latin artists, especially those from Colombia, like Shakira. Seeing them succeed made me believe I could do it too.”
But there was something missing. “I realised that there wasn’t a well-known Latin artist from the UK that I could identify with. That lack of representation inspired me to pursue music even more —so I could show the world that Latinos in the UK exist and that we haven’t lost touch with our roots.”
A Life-Changing Moment That Solidified Her Dream
Music had always been Ana Maria’s passion, but a serious car accident at 16 gave her a new perspective. “Up until that point, being a singer was just a dream. But after the accident, something inside me switched. I realised that I had to pursue my dream—I couldn’t waste any more time.”
Since then, she’s been working relentlessly to turn that dream into reality. “Without that accident, I might not have taken my music as seriously as I do now.”
Blending Personal and Professional Life as an Artist
For Ana Maria, there’s no strict separation between her personal life and her career—they coexist. “Anything related to my music, I share with my family and close friends. When I go to events, I bring them along whenever I can.”
This approach allows her to stay grounded and supported while still making space for creativity. “I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of person—when I feel inspired, I work on my music. And when I have an event or a shoot, I let my loved ones know so we can plan around it.”
The Best Advice She Ever Received: Speak Up
Early in her career, Ana Maria had to learn the power of using her voice—not just in music, but in business too.
“I used to be a people pleaser. I would go along with ideas just to make others happy, even if I didn’t like them. But I was reminded that when I’m working on a project or in a meeting, I have a voice too.”
She still battles moments of shyness but has learned to push through. “I’ve realised that it’s okay to take suggestions, but I can’t let others take over my vision.”
Her Creative Process: A Mix of Inspiration and Old-School Writing
Every song Ana Maria creates starts with a theme. “I keep a list of song ideas in my notes and then look to my favourite artists for inspiration. I love watching their interviews to see how they approach songwriting—Genius interviews are great for that.”
Once she has an idea, she listens to beats. “I’ll find a beat on YouTube—even if it’s not the one I’ll use in the final version—just to get into a vibe.”
And when it comes to lyrics? Pen and paper over typing—always. “I’ve had my songwriting notebook since I was 17. There’s something about writing by hand that makes the creative process more organic for me.”
Her Biggest Achievement So Far
Despite having had exciting industry interactions, successful auditions, and great experiences, Ana Maria still feels like she’s at the beginning of her journey.
“I don’t think I’ve had that ‘big achievement’ moment yet, but I see being in this position right now as an achievement in itself. I finally feel like I’m starting my artist career the right way and setting clear goals for myself.”
A Hard Lesson in Staying True to Her Vision
One of the toughest lessons she learned came from giving up creative control on a project. “I worked with someone more experienced in the industry, so I let them take full control. I followed every suggestion they made—even the ones I didn’t like—because I trusted that they knew better.”
But when the final version of the song was finished? “I hated it. It wasn’t what I had envisioned at all. I ended up never releasing the song and felt so demotivated that I didn’t even want to write again.” That experience taught her an invaluable lesson: “I can take advice, but I can’t let others define my music. I have to stay true to myself.”
Handling Industry Pressures & Staying Authentic
Ana Maria is still early in her career, but she knows the pressures will come. “When that time comes, I’ll lean on my inner circle—the people who truly care about me and keep me grounded.”
Her close friends and family play a big role in keeping her humble. “They love to remind me where I came from—and they definitely enjoy humbling me whenever they can,” she laughs.
The Message Behind Her Music: Nostalgia & Connection
At the core of Ana Maria’s music is nostalgia. “I want my songs to remind people of the music their parents used to blast on the speakers. The songs we all hated at first, but eventually grew to love.”
Keeping classic Latin genres alive is a big part of her mission. “What made them so special was their raw, poetic emotion. That’s something I want to preserve.”
Beyond that, she wants her music to bring people together—whether they’re Latin or not. “Even if someone isn’t from a Latin background, I just want them to feel the vibes, dance, and connect.”
Beyond Music: A Passion for Acting
One thing fans might not know about Ana Maria? She’s also passionate about acting.
“Drama was one of my favourite subjects in school, and I even went to drama school on weekends. I loved it so much that when I was given a role in a school play, I memorised the entire script overnight—even the parts that weren’t mine.”
Though music is her main focus, acting is still on her radar. “Hopefully, one day I can pursue both professionally.”
Why Ana Maria is a Rising Latin Artist to Watch
With her authentic storytelling, cultural pride, and genre-blending sound, Ana Maria is carving a new lane in the UK music industry.
She’s here to show the world that Latinos in the UK exist, thrive, and have something special to offer.
And if you haven’t listened to her music yet? Now’s the time.