Tania Libertad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tania Libertad
Tania Libertad performing at the Latin Grammys in 2014.
Background information
Birth name	Tania Libertad de Souza Zúñiga
Born	(1952-10-24) October 24, 1952 (age 72) Zaña, Lambayeque Region, Peru
Origin	Lima, Peru
Genres	Ballad, Bolero, Música criolla, Nueva Trova, Mariachi
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1959 - present
Labels	Sony Music

Tania Libertad de Souza Zúñiga (born October 24, 1952), known as Tania Libertad, is a world-famous singer from Peru who later became a citizen of Mexico. She is known for singing in many different styles, including ballads, boleros, and traditional Latin American music.

Libertad has received many awards for her music and her work to promote peace. UNESCO named her an Ambassador for Peace. In 2009, she received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for her amazing career. She has recorded over 44 albums and sold more than 12 million copies.

She has performed concerts all over the world, including in North and South America, Europe, and Africa. In 2012, she celebrated 50 years as a singer with two sold-out shows at the famous Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.

A Singer from a Young Age

Tania Libertad in concert at a book fair in Guadalajara in November 2005.

Tania Libertad was born in Zaña, a small town on the coast of northern Peru. She grew up in the nearby city of Chiclayo. Her mother was a nurse with indigenous roots, and her father was a policeman of Portuguese descent. He had very traditional ideas about how girls should behave.

Growing up with eight older brothers was sometimes difficult for her. She started singing on stage when she was only five years old. At first, her family didn't know because her parents worked long hours. She sang traditional Peruvian and Mexican songs.

When her father found out about her talent, he encouraged her. By the time she was seven, she was singing in competitions. By age eight, she knew 300 different bolero songs, and by nine, she was already making records.

Building a Music Career

Moving to the Big City

As a teenager, Libertad moved to Lima, the capital of Peru. Her father acted as her manager, and she sang in local clubs. She signed a contract with the record label RCA Victor and had her first big hit in Peru, "La Contamanina."

Even while her music career was taking off, she convinced her father to let her study at a university. She studied fisheries engineering, but she never worked in that field. At university, she met other students who were interested in art and social issues, like anti-war movements. This experience opened her eyes to new ideas.

Finding Her Voice

During this time, Libertad became more interested in Afro-Peruvian music, a style that was popular in her home region. The Peruvian government was encouraging artists to celebrate the country's culture.

She began to feel uncomfortable singing in nightclubs because of the disrespectful environment. This inspired her to sing music with a social message at universities and for worker groups. When she was 20, she decided to focus completely on her music career, even though her father was worried about her.

Success in Mexico and Beyond

Tania Libertad with the band Los Tigres del Norte on May 17, 2007.

In 1976, Libertad started traveling to other countries, like Cuba. She was inspired by the music and political ideas she found there. She began to create a new style of music, but it wasn't popular in Peru at the time. So, she decided to move to Mexico.

She arrived in Mexico with no money but quickly connected with other Latin American artists. She got her first job singing at a theater in Mexico City. Soon, she signed a contract with PolyGram and began singing many styles, including trova, Afro-Peruvian music, and bolero. In 1985, she released her first album of boleros, which became a huge success. She has lived in Mexico ever since.

Tania Libertad sings at a cultural festival in Zacatecas on April 13, 2006.

Throughout her career, Libertad has performed with many famous international artists. These include Mercedes Sosa, Joan Manuel Serrat, Silvio Rodríguez, Vicente Fernández, Plácido Domingo, and Armando Manzanero.

The Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago once wrote about her singing:

"The first time I heard Tania Libertad sing, it was a revelation... each note touched a string in my soul until I was completely dazzled." - José Saramago

Musical Style and Influences

Libertad is deeply inspired by Afro-Peruvian music, which comes from the part of Peru where she was born. This region has a large population of people whose ancestors were brought from Africa. She has recorded albums of Afro-Peruvian songs, such as Costa Negra and Color Negro.

She also loves music from the Caribbean and has performed songs by famous artists like Silvio Rodríguez. She has also worked closely with the Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero.

Personal Life

Libertad is married to a businessman and has a son. They live in Mexico City.

She calls herself a "citizen of the world" and believes in the ideas of Simón Bolívar, who wanted Latin America to be united without borders. She is against war but doesn't like to be called a "protest singer." Instead, she sees herself as an artist who sings about important topics that affect people's lives.

Discography

Libertad has recorded 44 albums, with more than 12 million copies sold worldwide.

See also

In Spanish: Tania Libertad para niños