Susana Baca: A blend of music, poetry and history

Americas Now

Susana Baca has captivated music fans around the globe with her soulful, folkloric music. She also captured the attention of Peru’s President Ollanta Humala.  

It’s rare for an artist or musician to be appointed to a government post but that’s exactly what happened to singer Susana Baca.

In 2011 President Humala named Susana Baca his Culture Minister. She was only the Second Afro-Peruvian to hold a cabinet position. It was a notable assignment as Baca, like many others, had experienced discrimination throughout her life in Peru. More than 20 years ago Susana Baca founded an organization in Lima called, the Black Continuum dedicated to preserving Afro-Peruvian art and culture.

Also in 2011, Baca was elected to the Organization of American States as the President of the Commission of Culture.   But her political career didn’t last long as she missed her life of song too much and returned to her first love making music. 

Susana Baca, the Latin Grammy winner for best folk album is this week’s Urban Voice on Americas Now.