Blanca (singer)
{{short description|Puerto Rican-American Christian pop singer-songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Blanca
| image =
| caption = Blanca in 2022
| image_size =
| birth_name = Blanca Elaine Reyes
| alias = Blanca Callahan or Blanca
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|2|10}}
| birth_place = Puerto Rico
| origin = Orlando, Florida, U.S.
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = Contemporary Christian music
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = Word
| past_member_of = Group 1 Crew
| associated_acts = Group 1 Crew
| website = {{URL|officialblanca.com/}}
}}
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,{{cite web |author=Broadcast Music, Inc. |title=Reyes Blanca Elaine |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=BMI&cae=508093657&keyID=1047004&keyname=REYES+BLANCA+ELAINE&querytype=WriterID |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150204121922/http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=BMI&cae=508093657&keyID=1047004&keyname=REYES+BLANCA+ELAINE&querytype=WriterID |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc. |accessdate=February 4, 2015 }} in Puerto Rico on February 10,{{cite web |author=Official Blanca |title=Had some of my Word label team surprise me during my studio session with cupcakes and love on my birthday!!! Made me feel so special! |url=https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBlanca/photos/a.619641051420234.1073741830.295648020486207/874894692561534/?type=1&theater |publisher=Facebook |accessdate=March 25, 2015 |date=February 10, 2015}} 1986.{{cite web |author=Intelius |title= Blanca Callahan in Orlando, FL |url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=Blanca&qmi=&qn=Callahan&qcs=Orlando%2C+FL&focusfirst=1 |publisher=Intelius |accessdate=March 25, 2015}}
Her father struggled with drug and alcohol addicitons until his conversion to Christianity, after which he led himself and his family into the faith.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmgsmAF80Q0|title=Blanca - Story Behind The Song Real Love|website=YouTube |date=October 18, 2017 }}
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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/blanca-callahan|title=Blanca Callahan|accessdate=2021-07-13|magazine=Billboard}} She also collaborated on songs in Spanish, such as the introduction of the album Más by Redimi2 and Funky.{{Cite web|url=http://testicanzoni.mtv.it/testi-Redimi2-feat.-Funky---Blanca_33693143/testo-M%C3%A1s-(feat.-Blanca)-26149799|title=Más (feat. Blanca) (Testo) - Redimi2 & Funky feat. Blanca|accessdate=2021-07-13|website=MTV Testi e Canzoni|language=it|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716161534/http://testicanzoni.mtv.it/testi-Redimi2-feat.-Funky---Blanca_33693143/testo-M%C3%A1s-(feat.-Blanca)-26149799|url-status=dead}}
Blanca's debut album titled Blanca was released on May 4, 2015, on Word Records.{{Cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/2Pqq-RxFxG/|title=Instagram video by Blanca|accessdate=June 7, 2016|website=Instagram.com}} Her first solo single, "Who I Am", ranked number one on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart and number 27 on the annual chart.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/christian-airplay-songs |title=Christian Airplay Songs - Year-End|accessdate=2021-07-13|magazine=Billboard}} 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 Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Christian Songs charts.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2015-03-07|title=Christian Airplay Chart|accessdate=2021-07-13|magazine=Billboard}}
Blanca's solo career continued with the release of the album Shattered in 2018,{{Cite web|url=http://zonavertical.com/blanca-annuncia-lanzamiento-album-shattered/ |title=Blanca Announces the Release of her Album "Shattered"|accessdate=2021-07-13|date=2018-09-09|website=ZonaVertical.com|language=es}} which was subsequently re-released entirely in Spanish as Quebrantado,{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiowesley.com/el-nuevo-sencillo-en-espanol-de-blanca-quebrantado-ya-esta-aqui/|title=Blanca's New Spanish Single, "Quebrantado" is here!|accessdate=2021-07-13|date=2019-11-14|website=Radio Wesley - A Sign from Heaven!|language=es}} featuring Redimi2 and Tye Tribbett, again entering the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2020-03-20|title=Christian Airplay Chart|accessdate=2021-07-13|magazine=Billboard}} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.idipron.gov.co/festival-de-verano-bogota|title=Bogotá kicks off its great summer party|accessdate=2021-07-13|date=2019-07-29|website=IDIPRON|language=en}} in addition to being awarded at the Tecla awards as Best Musician Creating Content on Social Networks.{{Cite web|url=https://altar7.com/blanca-nominada-a-los-tecla-awards-por-su-impacto-en-las-redes-sociales/|title=Blanca nominated for the Tecla Awards for its Impact on Social Networks|accessdate=2021-07-13|website=altar7.com|date=October 21, 2019 |language=es}}
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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reactivoz.com/blanca-presenta-soy-junto-a-christine-dclario-su-nuevo-sencillo-en-espanol/|title=Blanca presents "Soy" with Christine D'Clario, her new single in Spanish|date=January 22, 2021 |accessdate=2021-07-13|language=es}} Gawvi,{{Cite web|url=https://altar7.com/blanca-llega-a-la-zone-zona-with-its-new-musical-theme/|title=Blanca, arrives at the "Zone" with her new musical theme|accessdate=2021-07-13|website=altar7.com |language=es}} "Papi Song" with Genio,{{Cite web|url=https://www.feaktiva.com/blanca-lanzo-el-video-musical-de-papi-song-feat-genio-del-nuevo-ep-en-espanol-renovada/|title=Blanca, Released the Music Video for "Papi Song (feat. Genio)", from the New EP in Spanish, Renovada – Feaktiva. com|accessdate=2021-07-13|language=es}} in honor of her father Toñito Reyes, who was a Christian salsero in Puerto Rico,{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/musica/notas/fallece-el-salsero-sacro-tonito-reyes/|title=Sacred salsero Toñito Reyes dies|accessdate=2021-07-13|date=2011-11-08|website=Primera Hora|language=es}} and others.{{Cite web|url=https://bwoman.com.pe/2021/06/07/blanca-se-une-a-whatuprg-lead-y-sam-ash-y-presentan-oficial-su-new-single-amor-de-primera/|title=Blanca joins WHATUPRG, Lead and Sam ASH and officially present her new single "Amor de Primera" – Bwoman|accessdate=2021-07-13|language=en }}
Personal life
On January 21, 2013, Blanca announced that she and her husband, Ben Callahan of Group 1 Crew, were expecting their first child.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/blancareyes/status/293488496394518528 |title=Twitter / blancareyes: Always wanted to park here |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |access-date=February 13, 2013}} She had a son, named London, in July 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/article/blanca-of-group-1-crew-steps-down/|title=Blanca of Group 1 Crew Steps Down|work=CCM Magazine|date=November 20, 2013|access-date=September 11, 2014}} On December 1, 2020, Blanca announced that she and her husband had divorced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/|title=Login • Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
= EPs =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of EPs, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | EP details ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US Christ !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US |
|---|
| scope="row"|Who I Am{{cite web|title=Who I Am EP by Blanca|url=http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=14837
|publisher=New Release Tuesday|author=New Release Tuesday|accessdate=February 4, 2015}} |
| 19 | 11 |
| scope="row"|Real Love
|
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Real Love did not enter the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, but peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Christian Album Sales chart.}} | — |
| scope="row"|Quebrantado
|
| — | — |
| scope="row"|Renovada
|
| — | — |
= Singles =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title ! colspan="4"| Chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%" |US AC {{Cite magazine |date=2024-04-08 |title=Adult Contemporary |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |magazine=Billboard}} ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" |US !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|Christ !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US |
| rowspan="3"|2015
| align="left"| "Who I Am" | — | 12 | 9 | 8 | Blanca |
| align="left"| "Winter Wonderland"
| — | 26 | 11 | 6 | Bethlehem Skies |
| align="left"| "Greater Is He"
| — | 19 | 13 | 23 | rowspan="4"| Blanca |
| rowspan="2"|2016
| align="left"| "Not Backing Down" | — | 30 | 29 | — |
| align="left"| "Echo"
| — | — | 30 | — |
| rowspan="2"|2017
| align="left"| "Different Drum" | — | 28 | 25 | — |
| align="left"| "Real Love"
| — | 32 | 28 | 26 | Shattered |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| align="left"| "Amor Real" | — | — | — | — | non-album single |
| align="left"| "What If"
| — | 49 | 26 | — | rowspan="3"| Shattered |
| 2019
| align="left"| "Remind Me" | — | — | 46 | — |
| 2020
| align="left"| "Shattered"{{citation|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/shattered-radio-edit-single/1498563562|title=Shattered (Radio Edit) - Single by Blanca|website=Apple Music|accessdate=April 14, 2020}} | — | — | 33 | — |
| rowspan="3"| 2021
| align="left"| "Soy" | — | — | — | — | rowspan="2"| Renovada (EP) |
| align="left"| "Zone" {{small|(featuring Gawvi)}} | — | — | — | — |
| align="left"| "Even at My Worst"
| 26 | 19 | — | 18 | rowspan="3"| The Heartbreak and the Healing |
| rowspan="2"| 2022
| align="left"| "The Healing" | — | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| align="left"| "New Day" {{small|(with Jekalyn Carr)}} | — | — | — | — |
| 2023
| align="left"| "Something Better" | — | — | — | — | non-album single |
| 2024
| "Worthy" (English or in Spanish with Yandel) | — | — | — | — | |
| 2025
|align="left"|"Are You Ready" | — | — | — | — | |
= Album appearances =
{{BLP unsourced section|date=May 2015}}
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Artist | Album | Song |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Tait and Lecrae{{cite web|last1=Gewwicks|first1=Roger|title=Various Artist: The Store|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheStory.asp|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|accessdate=November 16, 2015}} | Music Inspired by The Story | "Bring Us Home (Joshua)" |
| KJ-52 | The Yearbook | "You're Gonna Make It" |
| Mandisa | Freedom | "The Definition of Me" |
| KJ-52 | Five-Two Television | "Firestarter" |
| TobyMac | Eye On It | "Unstoppable" |
| Audio Adrenaline | Kings & Queens | "20:17 (Raise the Banner)" |
| Redimi2 & Funky
|#Más |"Más" | ||
| Hawk Nelson | Made | "Elevator" |
| Building 429 | We Won't Be Shaken | "Wrecking Ball (Press On)" |
| KB | Tomorrow We Live | "Lights Go Out" (featuring Blanca and Justin Ebach) |
| Redimi2, Funky & Alex Zurdo | UNO | "Cruzaré" (featuring Blanca) |
| Gawvi | Noche Juvenil | "Corillo" (featuring Blanca & WXLF") |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|1=officialblanca.com/}}
{{Blanca}}
{{Group 1 Crew}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blanca}}
Category:American performers of Christian music
Category:Converts to Christianity
Category:Puerto Rican Christians
Category:21st-century Puerto Rican women singers
Category:21st-century Puerto Rican singers
Category:Musicians from Orlando, Florida