Kali Uchis Clears the Skies with the “Sunshine and Rain…” Music Video
by Leah Lascano
For seven years, fans have been wondering what exactly comes “After the Storm,” and in one of Kali Uchis’ latest releases, she finally offers an answer.
“Sunshine & Rain…” is the first single released from Uchis’ Sincerely, album, and her signature ethereal vocals and dreamy pop productions immediately drew comparisons to 2018’s Isolation. Fans were ecstatic to revisit this hypnotizing sound and were hit with a wave of nostalgia from her earlier works.
Uchis started her career primarily specializing in R&B music, and within the past five years has begun to lean more into Latin pop and reggaeton. This is evident in some of her most recent albums like 2024’s Orquideas and 2020’s Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios). With Sincerely, however, she circles back to the sonic textures of her earlier work, infused with the wisdom of her growth.
As her first solo musical release since welcoming her first child in March 2024, “Sunshine & Rain…” emphasizes the love Uchis holds for her family and her partner, rapper Don Toliver, and how she embraces the ups and downs they face in life. Additionally, the “Good morning, sunshine,” quote spoken at the beginning of the song is a snippet of a voice note from her late mother, Betsy Loaiza Boteler. Uchis has stated that the album itself is dedicated to her mother and writing it subconsciously acted as a way of healing as she coped with this loss.
The music video is directed by Zach Apo-Tsang (known for collaborations with Pinkpantheress and Saweetie), and meets at a campy intersection between Mary Poppins and Euphoria, with kooky retro visuals, cartoon animals, and Uchis’ signature high glam charm. With a theme similar to her 2018 release “After the Storm,” featuring Tyler, the Creator, the music video makes some subtle visual nods to its predecessor, with one example being the recurring stormy window motif featured in both.
Media Courtesy of VEVO
The music video features Uchis flipping through TV channels and somehow always landing on the constantly fluctuating weather channel. The visuals of the ever-changing weather are meant to represent the everyday challenges of relationships, and how loyalty and love allow her to overcome them. With the song’s heavy focus on nature and the concept of karma, the visuals emphasize how even though life is constantly changing, as long as she stays true to her heart, good things will come back to her.
Uchis embraces the offbeat and unconventional in her artwork, and this music video continues that tradition, blending aspects of the typical American Hollywood retro style with a dramatic telenovela flair. The result is a surreal, dreamlike experience that feels unmistakably hers.
The video also contains cameos from Latino influencers Andres Johnson and Jezzini. Andres Johnson appears in the video in full drag, something he is known for doing on his TikTok page with over 8 million followers. He and Jezzini are both popular on the platform for creating comedy videos and lighthearted skits. Their appearances delighted Latinx fans and underscored Uchis’ commitment to celebrating her community.
Overall, the music video for “Sunshine & Rain…” Kali Uchis’ first release from her 2025 album Sincerely, provides a doorway into the world she is exploring in this new era of her life, one shaped by motherhood, love, and loss. We’re eager for Uchis’ United States tour this Fall and can’t wait to see what comes next from her!
