Linda Diaz

Linda Diaz is an Afro Puerto Rican singer-songwriter recognized for her contributions to the alternative R&B genre. Her music blends poetic lyricism, a soulful voice, and jazz sensibility. Diaz released her debut single, "Flowers in the Concrete," featuring Akinyemi, followed by her debut EP, "V," and her second EP, "Magic." The song "Magic" was featured in NPR Music's Heat Check series, highlighting her early recognition within the music industry.

Diaz gained national attention when NPR Music selected her song "Green Tea Ice Cream" as the winner of the Tiny Desk Contest. The song explores themes of personal passion and peace, reflecting on experiences such as the loss of her grandfather, a breakup, and job loss. The contest win brought her music to a wider audience and was praised by Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard for its lyrical style, vocal performance, and musicianship.

Diaz and her band performed a concert atop the Javits Center, becoming the first musicians to do so. She also appeared in the MTV VMAs' J Balvin x Toyota collaboration, performing "Mi Gente." As the Tiny Desk Contest winner, Diaz performed a Tiny Desk (home) concert and was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered.

Diaz co-hosts the PBS music education series "Sound Field" with Arthur Buckner. The series examines music theory, production, history, and culture across genres such as pop, classical, rap, jazz, electronic, folk, country, and indigenous music. Diaz has also performed at the World Chess Hall of Fame, reflecting her background as a competitive chess player. Known by the nickname the Tank, she played internationally for 13 years and won several titles before retiring from competitive chess to attend college. Diaz's career spans music performance, music education, and competitive chess, establishing her as a multifaceted figure in both the music and chess communities.