Argentinian singer-songwriter Carolina Mama has created a breathtaking album intertwined with a real heartbreaking story. With intimate singles that work to empower, heal, and break free from silence, Mama has written this album in dedication to all women, especially those who have experienced gender-based violence. Through the healing power of storytelling, AMINA speaks truth. To learn more about Carolina Mama and her new album, read on.

Where are you based?
I’m from Argentina, but I’ve been living in the US for the past 10 years. I split my time between Brooklyn, New York, where I create and perform, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I compose and embrace the vast desert.

What inspired you to start making music?
I started very young, at five years old, singing and playing traditional folkloric music from Argentina. Later, I fell in love with the roots of Latin American folklore and expanded my instrumentation and knowledge. What attracts me most about music is the freedom — how rhythm, melody, harmony, and storytelling weave together to create history. I love the duality: in the studio, a song becomes eternal, forever stamped in time; but live, it’s fugaz, it only happens once, in that exact moment. That raw connection with the audience makes the music live beyond the artist.

How would you describe your sound? Are there any artists or cultures that influence your music?
My sound is bold, tender, and deeply rooted, a cinematographic journey through stories. It draws heavily from Latin American folklore, mixed with North African rhythms and the jazz I absorbed in New York City. Artists who inspire me include Residente, Fatoumata Diawara, Laura Mvula, Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Radiohead, Anderson Paak, and Benjamin Clementine.

Your debut album, AMINA, is set to release on September 26th, congratulations! What inspired you to write this album?
Thank you so much. Amina was born from a deep place in me, a space where I’ve carried the weight of stories that are often silenced, lives that have been pushed to the margins, voices that were never given the chance to be heard. Throughout my journey as a woman and as an artist, I’ve witnessed pain that should never have been endured, but also an incredible strength that deserves to be celebrated. This album is my way of honoring those stories. It carries a clear and urgent message: we must continue to prevent gender-based violence, and one of the most powerful ways to do that is through art — through music, through storytelling, through refusing to stay quiet. But beyond that, Amina is also a gift to younger generations. It says: tu voz importa. Your story matters. You have the right to stand firm, to speak your truth, and to never be afraid of fighting for your dignity and your rights. For me, this album is not only a collection of songs, it is un grito de amor y resistencia, a reminder that even in the face of silence, we can create music that heals, empowers, and keeps us moving forward together.

Each song on AMINA takes you through empowering and emotional journeys. What are some underlying themes explored throughout the album?
Amina is a tribute to every mujer who has faced adversity, a testament to the resilience, strength, and beauty of women everywhere. The album travels through landscapes of love and loss, domestic violence, gender-based oppression, but also empowerment, an invitation for those still fighting to stand in their truth.

Your upcoming album is named after a real girl from Morocco. Can you tell us about her story and why you decided to name your album after her?
Amina was a 16-year-old girl from Larache, Morocco, who tragically took her own life in 2012 after being forced to marry the man who had raped her. When I first heard her story, it broke something inside me, but it also lit a fire. I could not stop thinking about her, about how many Aminas there are in the world, young women whose voices are silenced, whose lives are taken from them before they’ve even had a chance to begin. Her story, together with my involvement in the Ni Una Menos movement in Argentina, profoundly shaped who I am as a woman and as an artist. That grassroots movement showed me the power of collective voices, of women saying basta together, refusing to let violence be normalized. I named this record AMINA to honor her memory, but also to honor all the women and girls whose names we may never know. I wrote this record to remember those who are no longer here, to give strength to those who are still fighting, and to leave a message for those who will, unfortunately, need to fight in the future. This album is both a memorial and a call for change. It is my way of carrying their stories forward, of turning pain into música, and of reminding us that even in silence, there is resistance.

Your first single, “Vestida de Melodía,” reflects on the courage it takes to let go of toxicity in relationships. Why did you choose it as the opening track?
Because it was the song that gave me wings. I wrote it during my first—and last—toxic relationship. At the time, I felt trapped, unable to escape. Writing it was my turning point, the moment I realized I had the strength to break free. That freedom inspired me to believe in my stories, to write them, and to share them with the world. It had to open the record, porque fue el principio de mi vuelo. The second single, “Dos Almas,” is about the duality of love.

Can you tell us about the song and the visuals of the video?
“Dos Almas” honors love in its two sides: the joy and fire of falling, and the heartbreak of letting go when paths no longer align. It is an ode to the equilibrio del amor, its complexities, beauty, and inevitable transformations. With intimate strings and a tender melody, it reminds us that love is not only about happiness, but also about growth and healing through pain. The video, filmed by Benjamin Baccetti, captures that intimacy, the little habits of a couple, once filled with joy, slowly shifting into silence and disconnection.

Your new single, “Bajo El Silencio,” is the boldest track on the album. Why close the album with it?
I chose to close the album with “Bajo El Silencio” because it doesn’t just end a story—it opens a new chapter. This song points toward the future, toward the sound and spirit of my next record. But more than that, it is an eruption, a breaking open of silence. “Bajo El Silencio” is not a song of resignation; it is a cry that refuses to be ignored. It asks, with urgency: how much longer must women carry this violence on their bodies and in their lives before society truly transforms? For me, this track is both intimate and universal. It carries my own wounds, but it also carries the voices of millions of women across the world who demand to be heard. It is fierce, but it is also tender, it says: we are still here, we are not alone, and our strength is unbreakable. That is why it closes the album: because the fight does not end here. The music continues, the resistance continues.

Why did you choose to record most of the album live?
Eight of the ten songs were recorded live. I wanted to capture the rawness, the electricity of everyone in the room, knowing each take had to live as it was. There’s magic in that fragility. la música se vuelve más viva. Only Amina, which I co-produced with Munir Hossn and Bajo El Silencio, which I co produded with Trooko, was not recorded live.

AMINA clearly reflects your passion for women’s rights and gender-based violence prevention. How did this shape the album? What do you hope listeners take away?
This passion is at the heart of everything. My hope is that listeners connect deeply with the music, that it takes them on a journey where they can question society, stand against gender-based violence, and fight for a more just world. But above all, I hope it reminds them of our collective fuerza, resilience, and the healing power of storytelling.

What advice do you have for women who feel trapped in toxic relationships?
Busca tu comunidad. Speak your truth with no shame. Ask for help, build a safety network. If that feels impossible, look for organizations that can support you. The first step is owning your story, knowing you’re not alone, so many mujeres have lived this. Therapy, self-care, and good communities can help rebuild your life and remind you of your worth. Above all: never forget that you deserve love, tenderness, and freedom.

What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue a career in music and film?
Believe in your story. Write, record, film, sing, even with little resources, cada intento cuenta. Surround yourself with people who encourage you and believe in your dreams. I had everything against me, yet here I am, releasing my first record with an incredible team. Your voice matters. Don’t wait for permission, just begin.

Are there any upcoming projects we should look out for?
Yes! I’m already working on my second album. Bajo El Silencio gives you a little taste of what’s coming: bold, powerful, and meant to make you dance.

It’s been a crazy few years, and the world keeps changing. How do you stay positive?
I stay positive by rooting myself in what truly matters: my values and my community. The world can feel chaotic and overwhelming, but I believe in the power of small actions — listening, helping the person beside you, showing compassion, staying humble, and choosing to remain informed. Those choices ripple outward. For me, positivity doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending things are easy. It means remembering that even in difficult times, we can protect each other, we can hold each other up. That’s where esperanza lives, in the simple, human acts of care and connection. When I focus on that, I feel strength, and I remember that change always begins in the collective.

What is your motto in life?
Eat healthy, have a little mezcal, listen to good música, stay away from AI, and love as much as you can.'

To learn more about Carolina Mama, please check out the links below:
Mujeristas
Ni Una Menos
Afro Latin Jazz Alliance
Instagram: @carolinamama__
TikTok: @carolina.mama_
Website: carolina-mama.co

Carolina Mama's New Album, 'AMINA', is for Empowering, Healing, and Truth