Celia Cruz Research Paper

Celia Cruz, a Cuban singer known as the “Queen of Salsa” and the Fania All Stars, salsa musicians, performed “Quimbara” in 1974 in the African nation known as Zaire at the time. Celia Cruz’s performance showcased her powerful voice and enchanted the audience with her charisma and energy. In “Celebrity, ‘Crossover,’ and Cubanidad: Celia Cruz as ‘La Reina de Salsa,’ 1971-2003” by Chistina Abreu, “Even Celia’s stage costumes and colorful wigs were more extravagant and flamboyant than they were arousing. Celia chose to use spectacle rather than sexual appeal to advance her career” (Abreu 99). During the performance, she wore a shiny sequin dress with colorful and vibrant fabric, long dangling earrings, noticeable makeup, and a big and unique updo.

With the help of the song’s upbeat tempo and lively rhythm, Cruz’s ability to engage with the audience was amazing as well, she encouraged them to dance with her while she was singing and dancing on stage. Celia Cruz’s and the Fania All Stars’ performance of “Quimbara” promoted cultural exchange, racial and cultural solidarity, and mutual recognition between African American and Latin American. In the English translation of “Quimbara”, the lyrics celebrate Afro-Latin culture. “Rumba is calling me, bongo tell her I’m coming. Wait a minute, while I sing a guaguancó. My life is just that, enjoyable rumba and guaguancó!” The terms “rumba”, “bongo”, and “guaguancó” tie into Afro-Latin history and culture. Rumba originates from the ballroom dance of Afro-Cuban folk dance; dancers are seen subtly moving their hips side to side with quick side steps and a slow forward step. The bongo and conga were instruments used in the Fania All Stars, Celia Cruz would dance when the bongos and congas were playing. During the 1900s, bongo and conga drums were developed in Cuba for Latin American bands; the instruments are based on prototypes that originated in