Kuky

Lucero Rodríguez, aka Kuky, a feisty and sultry singer from California's San Fernando Valley, has just released her self-titled debut on Machete Music. The album features production by Akwid, who also share the spotlight with Kuky on two tracks: “Bailar y Gozar” and “Let Me See”.

Rodríguez, who earned her nickname with a "clownish and sometimes sardonic" attitude, is not unlike an urban version of Ana Bárbara, delivering empowering lyrics with a healthy dose of sex appeal. Ya No, Kuky’s first single, appears destined to become an anthem for every heartbroken chica who can't get over a cheating boyfriend. On much of the album, Rodríguez' range is front and center: a flighty party girl who can transition into a heartfelt ballad with a deep breath.

A newcomer who is still relatively unknown, Kuky is benefitting from a creative online marketing push. Machete Music has posted a series of melodramatic album-related webisodes on Kuky’s MySpace. In the series, Kuky is put under surveillance by a jealous boyfriend. “Watching Kuky” may be more creepy than sexy but it's a laudable attempt at going beyond the now overdone Diddy-vision formula. But it might be a less innovative campaign which gets Kuky's name some recognition. A recent search for her distinct moniker turned up nearly identical messages on nearly a dozen message boards – some posted by self-described interns at Machete Music's parent company, Universal Music.

On her dot com address, Kuky – emerging artist, Pisces and "dreamer with a big heart" – stares out a window into an unseen future. But even more puzzling may be what's on display.