Saturday, July 9, 2011

July 9, 1935: Mecedes Sosa Born

Mercedes Sosa born on this day in 1935 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. Known popularly as La Negra, Sosa was a singer and political activist. During her career she recorded over 40 albums of folk music, winning numerous Grammy Awards and other international honors. She was one of the founders of the nueva canción movement, and helped to popularize music from her native Argentina, as well as Brazil and Cuba.

As popular as she was as an artist, Sosa was even more influential in supporting leftist causes, including opposition to Argentina’s military dictatorship. This gave her the international nickname of “voice of the voiceless ones.” At a concert in 1979 she was arrested on stage, along with here audience. International condemnation of the arrests led to her release and she left Argentina to continue her work in exile.

In the last years of her life she was appointed a UNESCO Ambassador for Latin America.

More information on Sosa on here official website: http://www.mercedessosa.com.ar/