Dona Arca

Alejandra Ghersi Rodríguez, professionally known as Arca, was born on October 14, 1989, in Caracas, Venezuela. Her early exposure to music, particularly through her older brother’s collection which included artists like Aphex Twin and Björk, influenced her musical direction. The family lived in Darien, Connecticut, for a period before returning to Caracas, where Ghersi began producing electronic music using FL Studio. In her adolescence, she released music under the moniker Nuuro, gaining recognition in Venezuela and collaborating with local artists such as La Vida Bohème, for whom she programmed synthesizers on their Grammy-nominated album *Nuestra*. Ghersi further honed her craft at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU.

Her career under the name Arca began with the release of *Baron Libre* in 2012, followed by the *Stretch 1* and *Stretch 2* EPs. The latter, exploring hip hop elements, brought her to the attention of music publications. In 2013, Arca received production and songwriting credits on five tracks for Kanye West’s *Yeezus* and served as a production consultant. That same year, she released her debut mixtape, *&&&&&*, and produced and co-wrote every song on FKA Twigs’ *EP2*. Arca signed with Mute Records in 2014, releasing her debut studio album *Xen*, followed by significant contributions to Björk’s *Vulnicura* in 2015, where she co-produced seven tracks and co-wrote two. The same year saw the release of her second studio album, *Mutant*.

In 2017, Arca signed with XL Recordings and released her eponymous third album, *Arca*, which marked a turning point by prominently featuring her vocals. This album received critical acclaim and appeared on numerous year-end lists. She continued her collaboration with Björk on the album *Utopia* (2017), producing the majority of the record. From 2020 to 2021, Arca released the *Kick* quintet, starting with *Kick I* and concluding with *Kick IIIII*. These albums showcased her genre-bending approach, incorporating IDM, reggaeton, avant-pop, techno, and ambient elements. *Kick I* earned her a Grammy nomination in 2021 for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Arca has also contributed to music by artists including Kelela, The Weeknd, and Rosalía, and has gained recognition for her avant-garde visual artistry, often collaborating with artists like Jesse Kanda and Frederik Heyman. She has participated in high-profile performances, including opening for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in Barcelona in 2023 and supporting Madonna’s Celebration Tour.