Susana Baca, born on May 24, 1944, in Chorrillos, a district of Lima, is a Peruvian singer, songwriter, and researcher. She is widely recognized for her role in preserving and promoting Afro-Peruvian music. With her soft yet poignant voice, Baca has left a lasting impact on the international music scene, while bringing new recognition to Afro-Peruvian culture. Beyond music, she also served as Peru's Minister of Culture in 2011, becoming the first Afro-Peruvian woman to hold a minis...
Born into a modest family, Susana Baca grew up listening to Afro-Peruvian songs passed down by her mother and community. From a young age, she was immersed in the musical traditions of her African ancestors, blended with Andean and Spanish influences. These sounds shaped her musical style, characterized by gentle rhythms and poignant lyrics often centered on Afro-Peruvian history and culture.
Baca began her professional career in the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that she gained international fame with the album Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru, produced by renowned musician and ethnomusicologist David Byrne. This album brought the richness of Afro-Peruvian culture to a global audience.
Susana Baca's music is deeply rooted in the history and struggles of Afro-Peruvians. Her songs address themes related to identity, the African diaspora, and the social and political challenges Afro-Peruvians have faced over the centuries. Her interpretation of the lamento negro, a musical genre that expresses the pain and resilience of the Afro-Peruvian community, is particularly moving and has become a signature of her repertoire.
Among her most famous works are songs like Maria Lando, which portrays the difficult lives of Black laborers in sugar cane plantations, and Negra Presuntuosa, a tribute to the pride and strength of Afro-Peruvian women. Through these compositions, Susana Baca has successfully combined poetry with cultural activism.
In 2011, Susana Baca entered politics when she became Peru's Minister of Culture under the presidency of Ollanta Humala. She became the first Afro-Peruvian woman to hold a ministerial position in the country's history. During her brief tenure, she worked to promote the arts and culture while emphasizing Afro-Peruvian heritage in national cultural policies.
Beyond her musical career, Susana Baca is also a passionate researcher. Together with her husband Ricardo Pereyra, she founded the Instituto Negrocontinuo, a cultural center dedicated to preserving and promoting Afro-Peruvian culture. The center offers workshops, performances, and research on Peru's African roots, aiming to raise public awareness about this often overlooked part of Peruvian history.
Thanks to her efforts, Baca has helped revive musical traditions that were at risk of disappearing and has inspired many young musicians to embrace their cultural heritage. Her role as an educator is just as important as her role as an artist, and she is respected not only for her artistic contributions but also for her commitment to social justice and cultural education.
With a career spanning several decades, Susana Baca remains a key figure in Peruvian music and a symbol of cultural resilience. Her voice, both gentle and powerful, continues to resonate with current and future generations. Her concerts and recordings invite listeners to discover not only the beauty of Afro-Peruvian music but also the stories of a community that has significantly contributed to Peru's cultural diversity.
Today, Susana Baca continues to perform internationally, sharing the richness of her musical heritage with audiences around the world. She remains an iconic figure in Peruvian music and a global ambassador for Afro-Peruvian culture.