Susana Baca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susana Baca
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Baca in Santa Cruz, 17 April 2010
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| 2nd Minister of Culture | |
| In office 28 July 2011 – 10 December 2011 |
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| President | Ollanta Humala |
| Preceded by | Juan Ossio Acuña |
| Succeeded by | Luis Peirano Falconí |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1944 Chorrillos, Lima Province, Peru |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, educator and politician |
Susana Esther Baca de la Colina (born 24 May 1944 in Chorrillos, Lima Province, Peru) is a famous Peruvian singer, songwriter, and teacher. She has won three Latin Grammy Awards. Susana Baca is very important for bringing back and celebrating Afro-Peruvian music.
In July 2011, she became Peru's Minister of Culture. This made her the second Afro-Peruvian person to be a cabinet minister in Peru's history. A cabinet minister is a high-ranking official in the government.
In November 2011, Baca was chosen to lead the Commission of Culture for the Organization of American States (OAS). This group works to promote peace and cooperation among countries in the Americas.
Contents
What Kind of Music Does Susana Baca Make?
Susana Baca grew up in a fishing village called Chorrillos, near Lima. Her music mixes old traditions with new styles. She uses special Peruvian instruments in her band.
Some of these instruments include the cajón, which is a wooden box played like a drum. There's also the udu, a clay pot, and the quijada, which is a donkey's jawbone used to make rattling sounds. The cheko is a dried gourd. She also uses acoustic guitar and electric bass.
Many of her songs are based on traditional Peruvian music styles. These include the landó and the vals. She also adds sounds from Cuban and Brazilian music. Her first album with the Luaka Bop label helped her become known around the world.
How Susana Baca Helped Afro-Peruvian Music
Susana Baca is a very important person in bringing back Afro-Peruvian music in Peru. This music, and the culture it came from, was not always well-known. Now, it is seen as a vital part of Peruvian culture.
Baca has helped make this music popular around the world. This started in 1995 with an album called Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru. This album featured Baca's song "Maria Lando". It was released by the Luaka Bop record label, which belongs to Talking Heads singer David Byrne.
What Do Critics Say About Susana Baca?
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Many important music critics say that Baca is more than just a great singer. Michael Heumann from Stylus Magazine said that "Maria Lando" made Susana Baca famous worldwide. He also noted that her albums are always of very high quality.
Timothy G. Merello from PopMatters described her as a "poet, a historian, a spelunker and explorer of Afro-Peruvian folklore and music." He said she and her band entertain and teach audiences with their mix of rhythms and melodies.
Deanne Sole, also from PopMatters, spoke about Baca's 2009 album Seis Poemas (Six Poems). She said that after seeing Baca perform live, you respect her not just for her voice but as a person. She called Seis Poemas a small but charming album.
Baca also started the Instituto Negrocontinuo (Black Continuum Institute) at her home. This institute helps collect, save, and create Afro-Peruvian culture, music, and dance.
Susana Baca's Awards and Achievements
Susana Baca has won several important awards for her music.
- In 2001, her album Canto was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album."
- In 2002, she won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album for her album Lamento Negro.
- In November 2011, she won her second Latin Grammy. This was for her song "Latinoamérica" with the group Calle 13. Other singers like Maria Rita and Totó la Momposina also sang on this song.
- Her 2020 album A Capella won the Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album. She dedicated this award to the young people of Peru.
Susana Baca's Time in Politics
In July 2011, Peru's new President, Ollanta Humala, announced that Susana Baca would be his Minister of Culture. She officially started on July 28, becoming the second Afro-Peruvian person to hold a cabinet position in Peru's history. She left this role in December 2011.
In November 2011, she was also chosen to be the President of the Commission of Culture for the Organization of American States (OAS). She held this position from 2011 to 2013.
Discography
Albums
- 1987 - Poesía y Canto Negro
- 1991 - Vestida de Vida, Canto Negro de las Américas!
- 1992 - Fuego y Agua
- 1997 - Susana Baca
- 2000 - Eco de Sombras
- 2001 - Lamento Negro
- 2002 - Espíritu Vivo
- 2002 - A Viva Voz (compilation)
- 2004 - The Best of Susana Baca (compilation)
- 2006 - Travesías
- 2009 - Seis Poemas
- 2010 - Mama
- 2010 - Cantos de Adoración
- 2011 - Afrodiaspora
- 2020 - A Capella: Grabado en Casa Durante la Cuarentena
- 2021 - Palabras Urgentes
Collaborations
- 1996 - The Rough Guide to the Music of the Andes (World Music Network)
- 2011 - Sang with Calle 13 on the song "Latinoamérica"
- 2013 - Sang "Gracias a la Vida" with Chucho Avellanet
- 2016 - Sang "Molino Molero" with Charlie Hunter and "Fuego y Agua" on Family Dinner – Volume 2 by Snarky Puppy
Films
- 2003 - Susana Baca: Memoria Viva. A film directed by Marc Dixon.
- 2013 - Sigo Siendo. A film directed by Javier Corcuera.
- 2011 - Música afroperuana: tras la larga noche. A TV documentary directed by Patricia Ferreira.
Images for kids
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Baca in Santa Cruz, 17 April 2010
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Baca performing in 2006.
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Baca performing in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Susana Baca para niños
