Cain Culto

Andrew Estevan Padilla, known by his stage name Cain Culto, is an American singer and violinist.

Early life and education

Culto was born in Florida and grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. He is of Colombian and Nicaraguan descent. He attended the School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he majored in visual arts but also studied music, theatre, and dance.

Culto was an Evangelical worship pastor and a founding member of a Christian band called Ecclesia.
After coming out as gay, he began creating new music under the stage name Cain Culto, in reference to the Biblical figure Cain and the Spanish word for worship.
His music is inspired by Appalachian and Colombian music, specifically Bluegrass, Vallenato and Bullerengue. He blends political lyrics with drums and violin and, as a visual artist, creates music videos and performances with imagery of queerness, mythology, and witchcraft.
In 2024, he released his first EP, titled O ω O.
In 2025, he released the singles "KFC Santería" and "Kali Maa". His second EP, occulto 001, was launched on October 31, followed by the release of the single "¡Basta Ya!", a collaboration with the activist-musician Xiuhtezcatl.