Named a 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Top Shelf artist, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Taisha Estrada is a standout voice in the DC and Baltimore music scenes. Known for her electrifying stage presence, genre-fluid vocals, and emotionally raw bilingual lyricism, Estrada creates music that resonates deeply with audiences. Her new single, "Cuerpo Animal," releases October 1st ahead of her full 7-song EP coming this spring.

 

Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Taisha grew up immersed in the rhythms of bomba y plena—traditions that deeply shaped her debut record, Nostalgia Ajena. In the years since, her songwriting and composition have continued to expand, moving into new sonic territory while holding onto that foundational sense of place.

 

That growth showed clearly in her single “El Abstracto,” which earned her NPR Tiny Desk honors and marked a shift toward a more assured artistic voice. Her upcoming music, created with longtime collaborators Marty Risemberg, Parker Speirs, and Grant Le, builds on that foundation. Driven by deep groove, ethereal harmonies, and live improvisation, the project weaves together elements of jazz, rock, and neo-soul into a sound that is ultimately best experienced live.

 

Off stage, Taisha’s work is deeply rooted in community and service. In 2024, she founded Flores Rockeras, a free guitar program for teen girls and non-binary youth in Arlington, Virginia. She also fundraises and advocates for organizations like the DC Abortion Fund and The Kwek Society, focusing on healthcare access, period equity, and support for women and youth. For Taisha, community advocacy and music-making are twin parts of the same life’s work: creating space for genuine human connection.