VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Nat Ramos, a rising music artist with Panamanian and Puerto Rican heritage, is making waves in the music industry by blending their cultural background with a modern sound. Emerging female artists power local talent for Something in the Water events Born in Panama in 1992 to a Panamanian mother and a father from New York, Ramos grew up with strong ties to New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Despite a limited initial understanding of the music industry, Ramos dove into learning the business side of music, fully committing to their new career path by 2021. Encouraged by their family, Ramos also pursued higher education, earning two degrees and a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. Growing up as one of the few Latin children in their Virginia community during the early 1990s, Ramos faced challenges, including discrimination. However, these experiences only strengthened their pride in their Latina identity and fueled resilience, especially as an openly lesbian individual. Ramos emphasized their supportive family, which provided a safe and nurturing environment. Ramos highlighted the increasing influence of Latin American culture in mainstream music. They noted how Latin artists are blending different musical styles, like Reggaeton and Banda, in innovative ways, reflecting evolution in the genre. Ramos recently released their second EP, "Sounds of the Bodega," inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of bodegas. They are also working on a new album set for release next year. As Ramos' looks to the future, they carry forward the traditions of their heritage.