Lila Downs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lila Downs
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Downs performing in Mexico (2018)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ana Lila Downs Sánchez |
| Born | 9 September 1968 |
| Origin | Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Genres | |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
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Ana Lila Downs Sánchez (born September 9, 1968) is a talented Mexican singer and songwriter. She sings her own songs and covers by other artists, mixing different music styles. Lila also uses sounds from traditional and popular Mexican music. She loves to include influences from Mexico's native cultures. She has even recorded songs in many native languages like Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl, and Purépecha.
Lila grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico. She studied at the Institute of Arts by Oaxaca. She also briefly attended the University of Minnesota before leaving to focus on her music. Soon after, she started performing traditional music in Oaxaca City.
Her first album, Ofrenda, came out in 1994. In 1999, Lila became well-known with her album La Sandunga. This album was a big hit with critics and sold very well. She gained international fame in 2001 with her album Border. This album became popular in Mexico and Latin America. Her seventh album, Pecados y milagros (2011), topped music charts in many places. It also created popular world music albums. Her eighth album, "Balas y Chocolate", was released in 2015. "Salón Lágrimas y Deseo", her ninth album, came out in 2017.
Lila started performing in school. She showed off her singing skills with traditional music, Latin music, and American styles. She also added her own unique dance moves. Lila speaks Spanish, Mixtec, and English fluently. Through her activism, she has worked hard to save the Mixtec language and other native Mexican languages.
Lila Downs is known for her colorful and unique style in the music world. Her fashion often takes inspiration from Mexico's native peoples' styles and traditions. You can see this in her performances and music videos. She has won many awards, including one Grammy Award and three Latin Grammy Awards.
Besides her music, Lila is also involved in helping people and speaking up for important causes. She especially focuses on issues affecting native people in Latin America.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Lila Downs was born on September 9, 1968, in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico. Her mother, Anita Sánchez, was a Mixtec cabaret singer. Her father, Allen Downs, was a Scottish-American art professor and filmmaker from Minnesota. From a young age, Lila loved music. When she was eight, she began singing traditional Mexican songs like rancheras. She started her professional singing career with mariachi groups.
At fourteen, Lila moved to the United States with her parents. She studied singing in Los Angeles and learned English. Her father helped her become fluent. When she was 16, her father passed away. Lila decided to return to her hometown of Tlaxiaco with her mother.
A sad event about someone trying to cross the border deeply affected her. This experience continues to influence her work. She talked about it in an interview for her 2001 album, Border.
At one point, Lila felt unsure about her Indigenous background. She said, "I was embarrassed to have Indian blood." This led her on a journey to find herself. She even left college and dyed her hair blonde. After some time, Lila found herself back in Oaxaca. She worked at her mother's auto parts store. There, she met Paul Cohen, who would become her husband and musical partner.
Lila studied Anthropology at the University of Minnesota. She also studied voice in New York. Later, she went to the Institute of Science and Arts of Oaxaca in Mexico to finish her studies.
At 25, after finishing her studies, Lila decided to return to Tlaxiaco. Paul Cohen always encouraged her music. She joined a percussion group called Yodoyuxi's Cadets. Because Paul had business in the United States, Lila began living in both Minnesota and Oaxaca.
While in Minnesota, Lila formed a group called La Trova Serrana. This group became very popular among the Latin community in the United States. They sang songs about Zapotec values and culture. When she returned to Mexico, she started singing in bars and clubs. She performed in Oaxaca City, Philadelphia, and California. Paul Cohen always supported her. She received many good reviews, which led her to tour Mexico.
Music Career Highlights
Early Albums and Breakthrough
In 1994, Lila Downs released her first independent album, Ofrenda. This album featured traditional songs from Oaxaca and Mexico. It also included songs she wrote herself, sung in Spanish, Mixtec, and Zapotec. The album was not widely sold.
In 1996, Lila recorded a live show in Oaxaca City. This recording helped her music become known in different parts of Mexico. It was her first album released on CD. Even with limited promotion, it made a big impact.
In 1997, Lila made another recording called "Traces." It included songs that would appear on later albums. But like her first album, it was not widely sold.
It wasn't until 1999 that Lila signed with the label Narada Productions. She then became famous worldwide with her album La Sandunga. This album was recorded a year earlier. It became a leading example of Mexican music. It was one of the first albums to mix traditional sounds with modern styles like jazz, blues, and bolero. The album was sung in Spanish and Mixtec. It sold over 500,000 copies around the world.
Expanding Her Sound
Lila's next album, Tree of Life, came out in 2000. This album helped her become even more famous in places like England, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. In this work, Lila explored her native past. The album features ancient sounds and instruments. Many songs on the album are sung in native Mexican languages. These include Mixtec, Zapotec, and Nahuatl.
Border, released in 2001, was Lila's first album with songs in English. It came out at the same time in the United States and Mexico. With this album, Lila mixed different music styles. These included traditional folk music, hip hop, rock, and chilena. The album had fifteen songs. Eleven were in Spanish, three in English, and one in Mayan. The album received good reviews. It also caused some discussion because it openly talked about immigration and issues faced by Native Americans.
One Blood, released in April 2004, was one of Lila Downs's most successful albums. It came out in the United States, Spain, and Mexico at the same time. The songs on this album are about migration and discrimination. They also touch on the story of Mexican human rights defender Digna Ochoa. The album includes traditional songs like "La Bamba" and "La Cucaracha". It also features styles like son jarocho, jazz, rock, and folk. In 2005, Lila won a Latin Grammy for "Best Album of World Music" for One Blood.
Later Albums and Collaborations
Lila Downs spent about a year and a half preparing her album La Cantina, released in April 2006. This CD features Mexican ranchero songs. It blends sounds like pop, rock, norteño, cumbia, and hip-hop. It includes a version in English of "La cumbia del mole". This song is about preparing the traditional Mexican dish in Oaxaca. It is one of her most famous songs.
In 2007, Downs released The Very Best of Lila Downs. This CD featured her most successful Spanish songs from previous albums. It came with a DVD of a live concert in Madrid, Spain.
In September 2008, Lila launched Ojo de Culebra (Eye of the Snake). This album became a top seller in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain. The first song, "Ojo de Culebra", was a mix of rock, cumbia, and flamenco. It also had some reggae influences. The second song was "Perro Negro", a mix of rock and ska.
In October 2009, Lila Downs was honored in her hometown of Tlaxiaco, Mexico. She received a plaque and the keys to the city. This was for her work in preserving the Mixtec language.
Lila Downs y la Misteriosa en Paris – Live à FIP is Lila's second live album. It was released in 2010. It received good reviews from critics. This album was number one in sales for World Music in Mexico for three weeks.
Pecados y Milagros (Sins and Miracles) was Lila's seventh studio album. It was released on October 18, 2011. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums Chart. It stayed there for over three weeks. This album has sold over 290,000 copies worldwide. Lila described the album as having "a strong rock side" along with "traditional" and "Latino" songs.
In 2014, Lila collaborated on the album Raíz with Soledad and Niña Pastori. This album won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.
On May 26, 2017, Downs released Salón, Lágrimas y Deseo. The first song was "Peligrosa". This album won the Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal in November 2017.
In August 2021, she worked with Guatemalan singer Sara Curruchich on the song "Pueblos." It was released on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
Musical Tours
Global Performances
From 2005 to 2006, Lila went on the One Blood Tour. She performed 30 international shows on three continents. This tour included countries like the Philippines, Japan, China, Egypt, and Afghanistan. In May 2007, Lila released a DVD about this tour. It included live songs and a documentary.
In September 2008, the Ojo de Culebra World Tour began. This tour took place on four continents. It was Lila's most successful tour as a Mexican artist. In Latin America, Mexico had the most concerts, with 21 shows. The tour ended on October 30, 2009, with a free concert in Mexico City.
In March 2010, Lila announced the Black Magic Woman Tour. This tour started in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It included many countries in America, Asia, and Europe. The tour officially ended on November 17, 2010, in Oaxaca City.
The Pecados y Milagros World Tour was Lila Downs' fourth major tour. It supported her seventh studio album, "Pecados y Milagros". This album won Grammy Awards. The tour was announced on October 3, 2011.
Recent Tours
The Balas y Chocolate World Tour was Lila Downs's fifth concert tour. It promoted her eighth studio album, Balas y Chocolate. It began on March 26 in Mexico City. The tour visited Canada, Spain, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and the United States. In August 2016, Lila performed at the 21st Annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival.
The Al Chile World Tour is Lila's sixth world tour. It was planned for concerts in Mexico, the United States, Spain, Colombia, and Chile in 2019 and 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many concerts were canceled or postponed until 2021.
On July 4, 2022, Lila Downs performed in Geneva, Switzerland. On August 5, 2023, Lila and her band gave a concert at the Festival "Chant de Marins" in Paimpol, France. They performed for 45,000 people.
Acting and Soundtracks
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Lila Downs has had small roles in films like Frida and Fados. She also appeared in Hasta el último trago corazón, a documentary about Mexican music. Lila worked on the music for the musical Como agua para chocolate. This musical was based on a book. It premiered in New York in late 2011 and early 2012. She also acted in the U.S. film Mariachi Gringo, released in 2012.
Film Music
In 2001, Lila sang "Cancion mixteca" for the Mexican film Piedras Verdes. In 2002, she sang "Burn It Blue" for the film Frida. This song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 2005, she sang "Dónde estás papá" for the film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. Lila has also contributed to other film soundtracks, including Real Women Have Curves and Tortilla Soup. In the film Fados (2007), she sang a memorable version of "Foi na Travessa da Palha" in Portuguese.
Personal Life
Since the start of her career, Lila has been with Paul Cohen. He was her partner and artistic director.
In June 2010, Lila announced that she and Paul had adopted a child named Benito Dxuladi. They lived in Coyoacán in Mexico City and Oaxaca. However, they spent most of their time traveling.
In December 2022, Lila Downs shared on social media that her husband, Paul Cohen, had passed away at age 69 due to heart disease.
Social Activism
Downs has been a social activist throughout her career. She works to keep her cultural identity and roots strong, especially when facing social challenges. She sings with passion and admiration for her home in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her music often highlights important social issues. These include the challenges faced by native peoples of Oaxaca. She celebrates her Mixtec heritage through her songs.
Her albums are very meaningful socially. For example, her album One Blood includes "Dignificada." This song is about Digna Ochoa, a lawyer and social activist. Lila featured Digna's story on her album.
When asked if she is a politician, Lila said she doesn't want to be one. She explained that she is not interested in power. Instead, she wants to support and change society through music.
On October 9, 2009, Lila Downs and actress Salma Hayek represented Mexico. They took part in an event for the One Drop Foundation. This campaign works to preserve water. They performed with the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Shakira, U2, and former Vice President Al Gore.
Collaborations and Contributions
- In 2003, she sang in French, Italian, and English at a Twelve Girls Band concert in China.
- In 2004, she worked with Afghan singer Kulsoom Syed Ghulam on the song "Lalolalo (Don't you Worry My Child)."
- In 2005, she collaborated with the Galician band Luar Na Lubre on the song "Domingo Ferreiro."
- In 2006, she worked with Brian Lynch on the song "Que sería la vida."
- In 2007, she collaborated with the Argentinean band Los Calzones Rotos on "Loco." She also worked on a tribute album to Pedro Infante.
- In 2008, she sang on songs by Los Cojolites and Celso Piña. She also worked with American musician Dan Zanes.
- In 2009, she sang "Haurtxo Polita" in Euskara with Basque singer Kepa Junkera. She also sang "Razon de Vivir" on Mercedes Sosa's album Cantora, Vol. 2. She worked with 1 Giant Leap and Carlos Santana.
- In 2010, Lila sang a duet with Mexican singer-songwriter Benny Ibarra on "Calaveras." She also sang "Historia de un amor" with Roberto Alagna. She sang a duet "Vámonos" with Chavela Vargas. She collaborated with the Irish band The Chieftains and Ry Cooder.
- In 2012, she worked with Kevin Johansen and Natalia Lafourcade.
- In 2013, she collaborated on the album "Ciudadana del mundo vol. 1" with other singers. She also worked with Leonel García, Los Ángeles azules, and the Spanish band Chambao.
Awards and Recognition
Lila Downs has received many awards throughout her career. These include a Grammy and 5 Latin Grammys. She also has Lunas del Auditorio awards.
She recently received a star on the Walk of Fame in Mexico City. This honor recognizes her amazing career. Her album 'Balas y Chocolate' was named one of the best World Music albums of 2015 by iTunes. It was also listed as a best album by the UK Sunday Times and Songlines Magazine.
Some of her most popular songs include: "Tengo miedo de quererte", "Estrella oscura", "La línea", "La llorona", "La cumbia del mole", and "Ojo de culebra".
In November 2017, Lila's album "Salón Lágrimas y Deseo" won Best Album Pop Traditional at the Latin Grammys. In 2019, she received the Leading Ladies of Entertainment award from the Latin Recording Academy.
Discography
Albums
- Ofrenda (1994)
- Azulao: En vivo con Lila Downs (1996)
- La Sandunga (Narada 1999)
- Tree of Life (Yutu tata) (Narada 2000)
- Border (La Línea) (Narada 2001)
- One Blood (Una sangre) (Narada 2004)
- La Cantina "Entre copa y copa..." (Narada 2006)
- The Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downs [CD] (EMI 2008)
- Shake Away (Ojo de Culebra) (Manhattan Records 2008)
- Lila Downs y La Misteriosa en Paris – Live a FIP [CD (Harmonia Mundi-Global Village Europe/US; various labels worldwide), (CD + DVD EMI Mexico) (2010)]
- Pecados y Milagros (2011)
- Balas y Chocolate (2015)
- Salón, Lágrimas y Deseo (2017)
- Al Chile (2019)
- La Sánchez (2023)
With the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project
- Simpático (artistShare, 2007)
With Niña Pastori and Soledad Pastorutti
- Raíz (2014)
DVD
- Lotería Cantada (2006)
- The Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downs [CD+DVD] (EMI 2008)
See also
In Spanish: Lila Downs para niños
- List of Mexican actresses
