Celia Cruz-Spanish portfolio

 Curated Playlist: Music of Celia Cruz

    Central Artist: Celia Cruz
    


    Description: Celia Cruz (1925–2003) was a Cuban-American singer known as one of the most influential Latin artists of the 20th century. With her powerhouse voice, vibrant personality, and iconic cry of “¡Azúcar!”, she brought Afro-Cuban music to global prominence. Over a 50-year career, she recorded more than 70 albums and became a symbol of Cuban identity and resistance, especially in exile. Her unique blend of salsa, son, guaguancó, and bolero captivated generations and left an indelible mark on Latin and world music.

Playlist

1.  Gloria Estefan - 'Mi Tierra'

A Cuban American pop icon, Gloria Estefan brought Latin music into mainstream American charts in the 80s and 90s. Deeply inspired by Celia Cruz’s Cuban roots and cultural pride, Estefan has often credited Cruz as a trailblazer for Latina women in the music industry. “Mi Tierra” is an homage to Cuban heritage, echoing Celia’s celebration of identity and homeland.

2. La India - 'La Voz De La Experienca'

Known as the “Princess of Salsa,” La India was mentored by Celia Cruz and even collaborated with her on several tracks. This song directly reflects the passing of the torch from one generation to another. Cruz empowered La India to embrace her voice, her Afro-Caribbean identity, and become a strong female figure in a male-dominated salsa world.

3. Ivy Queen – 'La Vida Es Así'

Known as the Queen of Reggaetón, Ivy Queen cites Celia Cruz as a role model in building a commanding presence in a male-dominated genre. Though musically different, both women assert strength, resilience, and cultural pride in their performances. Ivy channels Cruz’s legacy of bold femininity and fearless expression.

4. Carlos Vives – 'La Tierra del Olvido'

Carlos Vives is a Colombian singer known for fusing traditional vallenato with modern pop and often nods to Cruz’s trailblazing work in bringing Latin sounds to global audiences. Like Celia, he elevates traditional music with a modern twist, preserving heritage while embracing innovation.

5. Luis Fonsi –'Échame la Culpa' (feat. Demi Lovato)

While best known for his global hit Despacito, Fonsi grew up admiring the music of Celia Cruz. Her cross-cultural success opened doors for Latin artists to enter global pop markets. Fonsi’s work reflects the same spirit of fusion and international reach that Cruz pioneered.

References
Celia Cruz. (2021, May 6). Biography. https://www.biography.com/musicians/celia-cruz
(2025b, March 20). Ivy Queen. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Queen



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

French Portfolio- Ludovic Lamothe

Image
Music of Ludovic Lamothe. Central Artist : Ludovic Lamothe Description: In this playlist, I will show you various videos of Haitian pianist and composer Ludovic Lamothe with artist who were influenced by him. Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953) was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1882 to musically incline father. He learned about music from his father and grandfather. His compositions blend European classical traditions with Haitian folk elements mostly the meringue. He was given the nickname 'Black Chopin' after his favorite composer Chopin. Below are 6 artist who were either inspired or influenced by him. Playlist 1. Justin Elie Justin Elie (1883-1931) was a Haitian composer and pianist who was influenced by Lamothe to blend European and Haitian traditions together. This composition he created is called 'Légende Créole (Creole Legend) '. He composed many other songs such as 'Le Chant du Barde Indien (Song of the Indian Bard)' and ' La Mort de l'Indien (The D...
Read more

Dutch Portfolio- Roël Calister

Image
Curated Paylist: The Musical World of Randal Corsen Central Artist: Roël Calister Description:  Roël Calister was born in 1979 on the island of Curaçao and he is a percussionist who blends Afro-Caribbean music together with contemporary genres like pop, jazz and more. He created his own Rythm which is called, 'Tambutronic' that is a fusion of electronic music and traditional tambu rhythms. Playlist 1.   Izaline Calister – Kanta Helele Izaline, Roël's sister, is a celebrated vocalist known for integrating Afro-Antillean music with jazz. Her song "   Kanta Helele " exemplifies this blend, showcasing the rich cultural sounds of Curaçao. 2.  Randal Corsen – "Pa Kòrsou" Randal Corsen is a pianist and composer from Curaçao, Corsen's "Pa Kòrsou" is a heartfelt tribute to his homeland, incorporating traditional rhythms and melodies. His collaborations with Roël Calister have deepened his exploration of Afro-Caribbean musical traditions. 3. Kuenta...
Read more

Bob Marley and artist who were influenced by him playlist

Image
  Central Artist:  Bob Marley Bob Marleys real name was Robert Nesta Marley OM (February 6, 1945-1981) and he was born in Nine Miles, Jamaica. He was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and guitarist pioneered reggae music by fusing reggae, ska and rocksteady music together and he has 11 children. In 1963, Bob Marley and two of his friends (Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer) formed the group 'The Wailers'. He found solace in music by infusing his music with spirituality and peace. Bob Marley's most famous song was 'The Redemption Song' which he created with the Wailers. This song shows a theme of freedom and resilience from one of the lyrics in the song stating, " Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."  This song uses his acoustic guitar and his voice which shows how powerful and meaningful the message he shows behind this song.  Artist who was influenced by Bob Marley 1. The Fugees The Fugees was an American hip-hop group whi...
Read more