Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Women's Quarter: Celia Cruz "Azucar!"

 First look at Celia Cruz's U.S Quarter coin: How to get one?

Azúcar: Sweetness, Power, and a Legacy Rooted in Rhythm

In the pulse of Latin music, Celia Cruz’s voice rises—strong, joyous, and unmistakably alive. Known as the "Queen of Salsa," Cruz transformed her love of music into a form of liberation. Every time she shouted “Azúcar!”—sugar—it wasn’t just a playful catchphrase; it was an anthem of joy, defiance, and cultural pride.

Celia’s journey was marked by migration and longing. Leaving Cuba after the revolution, she never returned, making her music a vessel for the home she could no longer reach. Cruz broke new ground as the first woman in salsa to win a Grammy Award in 1989 for her album Ritmo en el Corazón, a collaboration with Ray Barretto.

Cruz’s music is a reminder of what it means to honor your roots while growing into something more. She was never just a performer; she was a force that bridged cultures, languages, and hearts. Even when she sang about love, loss, or resilience, there was an unmistakable sweetness woven into every note—a sweetness that refused to fade, no matter the hardship.

Azúcar’s essence teaches us that joy is a choice—and sometimes, it’s the most radical one we can make. When life throws bitterness your way, find your rhythm and dance through it.

 "I have fulfilled my father’s wish to be a teacher as I educate people through my music." - C. Cruz
80-Part Celia Cruz Biopic Is Saccharine, Sincere - Newsweek  The Exhibit | Tower Theater