In trying to understand what makes Maria Becerra one of Latin pop’s boldest characters, it helps to look to her breakthrough moment on the public stage—not as a musician, but as an online comedian whose irreverent videos racked up millions of views. No one could have predicted then that she would pivot to pop so decisively. Yet her personality resonates through her vivid sound—a nuanced blend of reggaetón, trap, hip-hop and R&B—and her thematic approach as she deals with topics such as love, loss and the empowerment of women on songs like “Animal” and “Wow Wow”.