La Niña Emilia

**La Niña Emilia**, whose real name is Juana Emilia Herrera García, was a renowned Colombian folk singer and composer. Born on April 16, 1932, in Evitar, Mahates, Bolívar, Colombia, she became famous for her distinctive voice and her mastery of traditional genres like bullerengue, cumbia, and vallenato. Emilia Herrera gained recognition later in life, similar to her musical rival Irene Martínez. She was known for her iconic style, which included gold nails and dark glasses. Some of her most notable songs include "Coroncoro," "Currucuchú," and "Cundé, cundé cundé." Emilia Herrera passed away on September 15, 1993, in Barranquilla due to hepatitis.

In 2017, her legacy was celebrated with a TV mini-series titled "Déjala Morir 'La Niña Emilia'," which highlighted her life and musical journey. Additionally, a statue was erected in her hometown of Evitar as a tribute to her contributions to Colombian music. Despite the lack of recent releases, her legacy continues to inspire and influence the folk music scene in Colombia and beyond.