Merceditas Valdes

Merceditas Valdés was a legendary Cuban vocalist celebrated as "La Reina de la Música Afrocubana" (The Queen of Afro-Cuban Music). Born in Havana, she became a cultural icon by specializing in *cantos de santos* – sacred Yoruba-Lucumí songs tied to Santería practices – while also mastering other Afro-Cuban folk traditions. With a career spanning from the 1940s onward, her hauntingly powerful voice preserved Cuba's African spiritual heritage during times when these traditions faced stigma, earning collaborations with legends like Guillermo Barreto and recognition as a living archive of West African musical lineage. Her recordings, including remastered collections like *Aché* and *Orishas*, remain essential listens for understanding Cuba's cultural roots. Valdés' unwavering dedication to ancestral music left an indelible mark, bridging sacred traditions and global audiences until her death in 1996.

Genres

Son Cubano

Latest Release

Ni Tu Ni Yo

Merceditas Valdes

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released November 9, 2018