Susana Baca - Afrodiaspora

How Susana Baca Celebrates the African Roots of Latin American Music in Afrodiaspora

Susana Baca is a Peruvian singer, songwriter, and cultural activist who has dedicated her career to exploring and preserving the rich musical heritage of Afro-Peruvian culture. In her album Afrodiaspora, released in 2011 by David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, she showcases the diverse and vibrant influences of African rhythms and melodies on various genres of Latin American music, such as cumbia, landÃ, plena, bomba, tango, flamenco, and more.

Afrodiaspora is a musical journey that spans across continents and centuries, tracing the history of the African diaspora in the Americas through song. Baca sings in Spanish, Portuguese, and Yoruba, the language of the West African orishas (deities) that are worshipped in many Afro-Latin religions. She collaborates with musicians from Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, and the United States, creating a fusion of sounds that reflects the diversity and creativity of Afro-Latin culture.

Some of the highlights of the album include:

Canto a Eleggua: A traditional Yoruba chant to the orisha of crossroads and destiny, accompanied by percussion and horns.

DetrÃs de la Puerta: A cumbia song written by Colombian composer IvÃn Benavides, featuring accordion and guitar.

Yana Runa: An Afro-Andean song composed by Miguel Ballumbrosio, a master of the cajÃn (box drum) and zapateo (foot tapping), two emblematic elements of Afro-Peruvian music.

Plena y Bomba: A medley of two Puerto Rican genres that originated from African slaves, featuring vocals by Margarita Rivera and percussion by HÃctor \"Coco\" Barez.

Reina de Ãfrica: A song that blends flamenco, tango, and panalivio (an Afro-Peruvian style), written by Spanish singer-songwriter Javier RuibÃl.

Baho Kende + Palo Mayimbe: A Cuban guaguancÃ song that pays tribute to two Afro-Cuban musical traditions: baho kende (a ritual drumming ceremony) and palo mayimbe (a syncretic religion that uses wooden sticks).

Coco y ForrÃ: A Brazilian song that combines coco (a dance music from the northeast) and forrÃ (a popular genre from the same region), featuring accordion by Toninho Ferragutti.

Taki Ti Taki: A Venezuelan song that showcases the drums of Guatire, a town with a strong Afro-Venezuelan presence.

Que Bonito Tu Vestido: A Mexican song that mixes huapango (a folk style from the central region) and son jarocho (a regional genre from the southeast), featuring harp by Celso Duarte.

Hey Pocky Way: A cover of the funk classic by The Meters, reinterpreted as a festejo (an Afro-Peruvian festive genre), featuring a brass band arranged by Michael League of Snarky Puppy.

Canta Susana: A landÃ song written by VÃctor Merino as a homage to Baca's life and career, sung by Carlos Mosquera.

Afrodiaspora is more than just an album; it is a celebration of the African roots of Latin American music and culture. It is also a testament to Susana Baca's passion and talent as a singer, songwriter, and cultural activist who has devoted her life to honoring and sharing her Afro-Peruvian identity with the world. aa16f39245