Blanca Elaine Reyes (born February 10, 1986), who goes by the mononym Blanca, is a Puerto Rican-born American Contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter. Until 2013, she was a member of Group 1 Crew. She is now a solo artist. She released her debut EP on January 13, 2015, Who I Am EP, with Word Records and her first studio album, Blanca, on May 4, 2015.
Early life
Blanca was born Blanca Elaine Reyes,[1] in Puerto Rico on February 10,[2] 1986.[3]
Her father was struggled with drug and alcohol addicitons until his conversion to Christianity, after which he led himself and his family into the faith.[4]
Music career
Blanca was a member of Group 1 Crew from its inception until 2013, when she began her solo career. She collaborated with the group Building 429 for the song "Press On" which charted at position 7 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, and stayed on the chart for 26 weeks.[5] She also collaborated on songs in Spanish, such as the introduction of the album Más by Redimi2 and Funky.[6]
Blanca's debut album titled Blanca was released on May 4, 2015, on Word Records.[7] Her first solo single, "Who I Am", ranked number one on the BillboardChristian Airplay chart and number 27 on the annual chart.[8] Her second release as a solo artist, Who I Am EP, was released on January 13, 2015, also via Word Records, and was placed on BillboardHot 100 and Hot Christian Songs charts.[9]
Blanca's solo career continued with the release of the album Shattered in 2018,[10] which was subsequently re-released entirely in Spanish as Quebrantado,[11] featuring Redimi2 and Tye Tribbett, again entering the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.[12] In 2019, she was part of the main cast of the Bogotá Gospel event, sharing the stage with artists such as Alex Zurdo, Danilo Montero, and others,[13] in addition to being awarded at the Tecla awards as Best Musician Creating Content on Social Networks.[14]
Cultivating her Latin roots, in 2020 she announced her second EP in Spanish titled Renovada, handling singles mostly in Spanish and collaborations with Christine D'Clario,[15]Gawvi,[16] "Papi Song" with Genio,[17] in honor of her father Toñito Reyes, who was a Christian salsero in Puerto Rico,[18] and others.[19]
Personal life
On January 21, 2013, Blanca announced that she and her husband, Ben Callahan of Group 1 Crew, were expecting their first child.[20] She had a son, named London, in July 2013.[21] On December 1, 2020, Blanca announced that she and her husband had divorced, after two years of separation.[22]
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions