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Another week, and our last week of the Doña series. With the goal of keeping the beautiful distinction of the term Doña alive and current with our progression in society, we’ve journeyed through time with, What Even is a Doña?, Top Doña Influencers of 2023, and Top 5 Doñas of Music (1900 – 1971).
This week we’re rounding out the legendary Doñas of Music.
1st Doña of music
Jenni Rivera – Mexican American (1969 – 2012)
Banda, Mariachi, and Norteño Singer
In the music world, Jenni is known as La Diva de la Banda and La Primera Dama del Corrido.
Doña Jenni had a tough time breaking into the male dominated music field. Like, reeeeeaaally tough 😬 But she didn’t let that stop her.
So much so, that she became known as the top selling female artist in Regional Mexican music. Yes, she did.
In the music world, Jenni is known as La Diva de la Banda and La Primera Dama del Corrido.
Doña Jenni had a tough time breaking into the male dominated music field. Like, reeeeeaaally tough 😬 But she didn’t let that stop her.
So much so, that she became known as the top selling female artist in Regional Mexican music. Yes, she did.
Her secret sauce? She won hearts over by singing about the troubles in her relationships and in social cultural issues that were close to her heart.
Jenni jumped to the next level by producing and appearing in reality shows:
- Jenni Rivera Presents: Chiquis & Raq-C
- I Love Jenni
- Chiquis ‘n Control.
She even dabbled in acting and music reality shows.
Of course, she is the recipient of numerous music awards and memorials in Mexico and the U.S.
As a result of her and her family going through some pretty serious abuse, Doña Jenni developed the Love Foundation.
She became an activist at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and in community affairs in Los Angeles. Namely to speak out against domestic violence. Awarded August 6th as Jenni Rivera Day for her contribution to the community.
Jenni had quite a few encounters with the law from allegations of singing for the cartel, not claiming money on flights between countries, and fighting back against a “fan” who threw a beer can at her.
On December 9, 2012, Doña Jenni died in a plane crash in Mexico.
Several lawsuits have been filed in connection to her estate and negligence towards her death.
After Jenni’s death, her family finished and released the autobiography, Unbreakable: My Story, My Way, a book Doña Jenni had been working on for quite some time.
Jenni has a beautiful gravesite memorial at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, California.
Aaaannd she has her own Tequila line, La Gran Señora, to celebrate her legacy with.
I didn’t know about Jenni until after her death. Her death and legacy was so loud, you couldn’t help but feel her story.
2nd Doña of music
Selena – Mexican American
(1971 – 1995)
God bless the day when Latinos have no clue who Doña Selena is.
Singer and Fashion Designer
Doña Selena started out as the lead singer in a band with her siblings called, Selena y Los Dinos.
With the support of her family, Selena broke many music barriers, making Tejano music popular among different audiences.
Because of this, and for many other reasons, she is the winner of multiple awards.
On March 31, 1995, Selena was murdered by her manager and friend, Yolanda Saldivar. Selena was 23 years old.
You can visit Selena’s grave at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Since Selena’s death, her legacy continues to receive collaborations and recognition, her lines with Mac and Forever 21. A movie titled Selena in 1997. And 2020 Selena: The Series released on Netflix.
April 16 has been dubbed Selena Day in Texas. The date of her birth.
Similar to Jenni Rivera, my love for anything for Salinas began when her movie came out. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve fallen in love with her songs more and more.
FYI: Selena’s murderer, Yolanda Saldivar, is eligible for parole 3/30/2025. Do what you will with that information.
3rd Doña of music
Shakira –
Columbian/Lebanese
(1977 – )
Singer, Dancer, Songwriter Record Producer, Actress, Philanthropist
Owner of hips that do not lie.
Shakira has at least 3 honorary titles:
Queen of Latin Music
Latin America’s Pop Queen
The Crossover Queen
As a child, Shakira wrote poetry that later became lyrics in her music.
Her album, Laundry Service, earned her the title, The Crossover Queen in 2001.
Gloria Estefan helped her learn English.
Her dance is a combination of middle eastern belly dancing with Latin moves.
@angel7edits Since Shakira is finally trending #shakira #hipsdontlie #shakiraedit #pique #bzrp #fyp #edit #GenshinImpact34 ♬ original sound – i <3
Her sound is an admixture of pop, rock, and yodeling.
Doña Shakira owns a fragrance and body line called S by Shakira.
Shakira has been acknowledged for numerous awards including monument dedications.
In 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation (Barefoot Foundation), a Colombian charity school specializing in providing for underprivileged children in Colombia.
4th Doña of music
Mon Laferte – Chilean/Mexican
(1983 – )
Chilean and Mexican Singer, Musician, Composer, Painter
“Best-selling Chilean Artist in the 21st Century“.
Mon’s music style ranges from pop, rock, bolero, cumbia, and salsa.
Early on in Mon’s career, she was a part of the Chilean reality competition series, Rojo.
While working on her first album in 2009, Mon was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer.
She was the vocalist for a Mexican heavy metal female band called Mystica Girls.
She’s had a couple of stage names which have been the coolest pieces of her full name, Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte. Lobe et.
In regards to her name changes, she’s been quoted to say,
“Mi cambio de nombre no es por querer ser otra persona, es que las circunstancias de la vida me han llevado a cambiar mucho y sentí que tenía que empezar de cero.”
At the age of 40, Doña Mon has received and been nominated for numerous awards worldwide.
Mon is known for using her platform for her political activism.
Another important part of her career was a solo art exhibition in Mexico with 76 art pieces.
Doña Mon Laferte got my attention within the past 5 years. Her charismatic passion shines on stage. With her jet-black hair, stage outfits that speak for themselves, and amazing stage sets, I just freaking love her.
5th Doña of music
Carla Morrison – Mexican American
(1986 – )
Indie pop guitarist and singer categorized in Latin/Spanish rock and urban/alternative genres. Also adding actress to her talents.
Carla started out as a lead singer in the band, Babaluca. Shortly after, she left to pursue a solo career.
Thus far, she has been multi nominated and the recipient of music awards in both Mexico and the U.S.
Some of her more notable performances include:
- Performing at many festivals
- Collaborating with many Latin artists like Natalia Lafourcade, Lila Downs, and J. Balvin.
- Releasing acoustic versions of already released albums
- Debuting an English/Spanish Christmas Carol album
Okay, now Doña Carla also performs with passion. A different type of passion when it comes to love songs, both about undying love and heartbreak, and Dios mio, her singing takes you to another dimension.
So Many Doña Artists …
Alright, alright, if you didn’t see your favorite Doña of music, I hope you enjoyed the crazy facts of the Doña’s mentioned. I mean, there’s sooooooo many, how could we list them all? Olga Tañon, Paulina Rubio, Marta Sanchez, JLo, Gloria Trevi, Kali Uchis, Cardi B, Karol G, Selena Gomez, Angela Aguilar, Lola Beltran, Becky G, Lila Downs, Camila Cabello, Natalia Lafourcade … the list goes on and on and …
The history of Latina women in society es bien chida. Traveling through these Doña’s lives through their beautiful music. Relating to their honest and inspiring stories. Isn’t that what music is all about? That’s what takes hearing music to feeling music deep in your soul. And what better way than with the powerful artists, Doñas, of our culture?
Thanks for taking this journey with me, Doña❣️ Alright, who did I miss? Because there’s so many … you gotta just listen.
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