We've set our eyes and ears on Kat & Alex, a Nashville-based artist duo that not only embodies the essence of classic country music but also rewrites the rules with a unique Latin twist. This husband-and-wife pair are shaking up the country music scene with their soulful delivery, inventive live instrumentation, and bilingual lyrics. They have independently amassed nearly 20 million streams and received acclaim from Billboard, CMT, and more. In 2021, the duo made a significant impact with new music released under Sony Music Nashville.

Both Kat and Alex grew up listening to country and Spanish songs, which influenced their distinctive musical style. "This is who we've been for our entire lives. It's great to be able to share that," says Alex. The duo is proud of their cultural backgrounds, with Kat being a first-generation American from a Cuban family and Alex hailing from a Puerto Rican family in Northwestern Georgia. Both artists spoke Spanish exclusively until first grade, and their musical tastes and family experiences mirrored one another.

The couple's journey to music began separately, with Alex working as a police officer, a social media influencer for Harley Davidson Corporate, and creating art around Miami as the "Space Cowboy." Kat, on the other hand, honed her voice and seized every opportunity to perform. After witnessing Alex sing one day, the two forged an eternal bond after just one date. They appeared on American Idol before returning home to focus on writing and recording original music.

Kat & Alex signed with The AMG for management and inked a publishing deal with Warner Chappell in 2020. They made their official debut with the single "How Many Times" and its accompanying Spanish version, gathering 7.9 million Spotify streams. They claimed coveted spots on playlists such as "Hot Country" and "New Boots" and shared space with Latin stars like Bad Bunny and Camilo.

The duo kicked off 2021 by tying the knot and signing with Sony Music Nashville. They followed up with the single "Heartbreak Tour," showcasing Kat's traffic-stopping vocal performance and Alex's gentle twang. The song represents the couple's belief in pursuing music together despite challenges.

Kat & Alex continued to engage fans through a series of Spanish covers of English songs, generating millions of views and connecting with their audience. They aim to bridge country music and Latin culture, resonating with listeners who share their experiences and values.

Kat & Alex's relationship is the driving force behind their music. "Our relationship is everything to this music," Kat says. "There's so much love that goes into every single song. This wouldn't work if we didn't love each other as much as we do and put God first in all we do." With a unique blend of country and Latin influences, Kat & Alex are well on their way to leaving a lasting mark on the music scene.

Exclusive FAME Magazine Interview with Kat & Alex

1. How do you successfully blend classic country elements with Latin influences to create your unique sound?
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For us, the blend came naturally. Growing up, we both came from a Latino household that also had a great love for country music. When Kat and Alex was formed we just wanted to be as true to who we are as possible which is Latin Country. The first time we ever recorded Spanish lyrics to one of our songs was “How Many Times.” We decided to keep the track the exact same as it was with English lyrics and only record the Spanish lyrics on top. We noticed it felt just as good listening to the Spanish version as it did the English. That’s how we knew we found something special.

2. Can you share more about your bilingual lyrics and the importance of showcasing both languages in your music?
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Being born into Latino households, our first language was Spanish. When we chose to pursue country music we wanted to stay true to who we were as people. Country music is all about being true to yourself through your music and the way you live. Being Latinos is who we are and that is the core of why we include Spanish into our music.

3. With nearly 20 million streams independently, what do you think has resonated most with your audience?
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We feel that being authentic to who we are and not being afraid to be different has helped us create such a great bond with our audience. We constantly have listeners come up to us and tell us how special it feels for them to hear someone sticking to who they are and shamelessly representing their culture in a genre where there isn’t a lot of representation.

4. How do your individual backgrounds and family histories influence the music you create together?
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Growing up in a Latino household we were raised on foundational values like faith, family, and hard work. We find ourselves constantly incorporating those values in our music.

5. Can you tell us about your journey from being solo artists to forming a duo and ultimately appearing on American Idol?

We believe our individual journeys were meant to cross paths and continue on together. Kat just finished La Voz and I was playing music at church. After getting connected through social media we met in a park to cover the song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born. After multiple tries to keep it together we ultimately fell in love and informally became a duo. It wasn’t until our audition on American Idol when we sang the same song that brought us together where Luke Bryan suggested we become an official duo. From that moment on we were known as “Kat and Alex.”

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6. What was the inspiration behind your debut single "How Many Times," and how has its success shaped your career so far?

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When we first moved to Nashville we signed with Warner Chapell publishing. They pitched us a batch of songs and out of that batch we instantly gravitated towards “How Many Times” written by Jordan Reynolds and Robyn Collins. The reason behind why we picked it was for its story. It’s the story of a heartbreak and without previous heartbreak we wouldn’t have met and fallen in love.

7. With the release of "Heartbreak Tour," can you share more about the songwriting process and the emotions you wanted to convey through this single?
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We had plans of moving to Nashville after American Idol but due to the pandemic, those plans were put on hold. It was a strange time for us and it felt like our dream of moving to Nashville to pursue our dream had been shattered. Instead of giving up on our dream we continued to work hard from home. We wrote a few songs and one of those songs was Heartbreak Tour. It’s a story about what life would have been like if we did not pursue music together. We thank God everyday that we did because getting to chase our dream together is something that we cannot put words to.

8. What does it mean to you to be part of the Country Bay Music Festival's mission to establish Miami as a destination for country music enthusiasts?  

Being that our journey together began in Miami and getting to perform in that same city at the Country Bay Music Festival is truly a full circle moment. It’s a true testament that not giving up on your dreams can mean that they will ultimately come to fruition. We truly believe Country music is loved by people from all different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Miami is a melting pot and country music is going to fit in perfectly.

9. How do you think the combination of Latin influences in your music and the vibrant Miami backdrop will enhance your performance at the festival?

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We believe the combination of Latin influence in our music mixed with the Miami backdrop will be the perfect combination. Our music is not only influenced by our Latino culture, but also by our time living in Miami. It won’t only be a hometown show for us but also a homecoming for our music.

Cover Photo by Matthew Berinato