Young Latino Singer and Songwriter Makes Her Way in the City

By D.T.

Columbus, GA – Latino presence and entrepreneurship are widely recognized and visible throughout the city. They manifest through events, conferences, businesses, sports competitions, donations, fundraisers, religious gatherings and artistic expressions.

The most notable participation and contribution from the Latino community to the city tends to be focused on their religious, gastronomic and business aspects. However, their artistic expressions are equally valuable and indispensable, as they offer the possibility of exploring the sensitivity of Latinos and getting to know them in a genuine way.

Art is a window to the depths of the soul, it is cathartic and transformative, both for its creator and for those who admire it. It is also a potential bridge between individuals, for it brings to light meeting points between them who, in turn, discover that they have more in common than the surface could ever reveal.

Among the city's Latino artists, Mili West, a singer-songwriter from San Juan, Puerto Rico, stands out. West had her artistic awakening when she received a guitar as a Christmas gift at the age of 8 and later released her first song at the age of 14.

West recounts that during her childhood her father used to play songs by singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift; an artist who remains one of her most admired artistic figures; and listening to her was one of her first approaches to music. 

However, the singer added that her great-grandfather was one of the most inspiring figures for her artistically, because he expressed his support for her music from the beginning and used to say to her that one day he wanted to see her on shows like American Idol or The Voice.

His faith in her talent and perseverance has since inspired her to pursue her dream, and she does so not only for herself, but for her great-grandfather's dreams of seeing her shine.

After receiving her first musical instrument, a guitar, West began teaching herself to play before later receiving formal lessons. At the same time she began singing in school talent shows, church choirs and Christmas choirs.

She recalled singing a solo of the beloved song "Jingle Bells."

At the time she began to compose her own music, the artist had in mind the desire to put something of her own into the world and decided to specialize in the pop and pop country genres.

She described her creative process as writing songs about the experience of female adolescence and experiences that gave her inspiration. 

“Each lyric tells how I felt on a certain occasion. Even with my friends, sometimes when they tell me about their boy problems that also inspires me. So, I take my guitar, I start playing, singing, and at that moment everything comes together,” she said.

On the other hand, this very intimate aspect that comprises her art also sparks criticism. 

Among her greatest challenges, the artist describes the need to be strong in the face of criticism and reminding herself that appreciation and acceptance are not absolute.

She said that once at school when she received a nomination for the Page One Award for her music, she heard negative comments concerning how she owed her recognition to a boy who was allegedly a source of inspiration for one of her songs. This accusation of bad faith implied that the credit for her success was not with her, who did all the work of composition and performance, which was done in an effort to invalidate her effort and dedication.

Unfortunately, these machismo-laden interpretations are faced by a great number of female artists.

When West was asked how she felt about the prospect of navigating the often-cutthroat music industry, she said because she has a strong sense of self, she is confident in her ability to handle critical situations with maturity.

Other milestones in her artistic career are having been being interviewed on a radio program from her native Puerto Rico, making a presentation Jonboy Storey's concert halftime in 2023, having been verified on Spotify as an artist, releasing a music video widely watched in the city, and having the support of her school with the playing of one of her songs during the halftimes of their American football games.

What's next for Mili West?

In her own words, her future is in college, where she plans to study marketing or a similar discipline as an additional tool to work on her career, since her ultimate goal is to become a professional singer focused 100 percent in music, since at the moment her attention is on finishing her high school studies.

West is a young artist who possesses great talent, self-confidence, inspiration, support and dedication. People close to her describe that it is easy to relate to her music and lyrics.

Additionally, her approach to art is sensitive, intimate and transformative, she herself describes “When something bad happens to me, the only thing I want to do is sing. It comforts me and makes me feel better. It is a way to feel relaxed. I love sharing my voice with people and inspiring them. I don't know what I would do without it. It's part of me. I love singing in the car, singing for my family and I even wrote a song for my brother's wedding. I love telling stories.”

Finally, the Puerto Rican singer tells that her native San Juan is a great source of inspiration for her because of its colorful streets, its vibrant music, and the warmth of its people, so much so that she wants to compose a song dedicated to the capital and it’s place in her own being.