Celia Cruz

La Guarachera de Cuba — Lead singer of Sonora Matancera 1950-65; collaborated with Tito Puente (from 1966, 'Bemba colorá'); signed to Fania/Vaya 1974;...

Celia Cruz (1925-2003), the 'Queen of Salsa', rose to fame in 1950s Cuba as lead singer of Sonora Matancera before leaving after the Revolution and settling in the United States. She recorded landmark work with Tito Puente and, from 1974, with Fania, becoming the genre's defining female voice and a symbol of the Cuban exile community. Her cry of '¡Azúcar!' and explosive guaracha delivery made her an icon.

Role

singer, sonera

Era

Fania-Era Salsa

Genre

Salsa (Fania era)

Origin

Havana, Cuba