La India
La India | |
|---|---|
 La India performing at the Festival de la Salsa in Nicaragua in 2008. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Linda Bell Viera Caballero |
| Also known as | India |
| Born | March 9, 1969 Río Piedras,San Juan,Puerto Rico |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | elmundodeindia |
Linda Bell Viera Caballero(born March 9, 1969), better known asLa India,is aPuerto Ricansingerandsongwriterofsalsa,housemusic andLatin pop.La India has been nominated for bothGrammyandLatin Grammy Awards,winning theLatin Grammy Award for Best Salsa Albumfor theIntensamente La India Con Canciones De Juan Gabrielalbum.[1]
Early life[edit]
Viera was born inRío Piedras,San Juan.Both her parents moved to New York City soon after her birth, settling in theSouth Bronxarea of the city. Initially, they lived with Viera's grandmother, a woman who served as an important influence on Viera's life.[2]Viera began singing as a young girl, even taking opera training for a brief time.[3]Her stage name, La India, was given to her by her grandmother because of her dark features and long, straight, black hair.[4]La India describes herself as afeminist,having witnesseddomestic violencefrom her father.[5]
Career[edit]
1985: Early career[edit]
In 1985, when Caballero was 16 years old, she joined theLatin freestylegroupTKA,a fact not widely known. Credited as "Linda," she appeared in the group photo on the back cover of TKA's second single, "Come Get My Love."She left shortly thereafter.[6]
Caballero signed a record contract withReprise/Warner Bros. Records,who planned to market her as the Latin version ofMadonna(who recorded for sister label Sire Records).[7]India's debut album was titledBreaking Night.Three singles were released ( “Dancing on the Fire,” “Right from the Start,” and “The Lover Who Rocks You All Night” ), which all became big hits in the dance clubs. She also added her vocals to the Jellybean-produced single "Mirage". After recording the album, Caballero decided that she didn't want to take that route in her career.[4][6]She decided to switch tosalsabecause she believed that she needed to "cross over to[her] people."[3]
1992–1994: First salsa album[edit]
An important event took place when she accompanied her husband"Little" Louie Vegato a studio session. Salsa bandleaderEddie Palmierihappened to visit the studio, and was impressed with Caballero when he heard her singing. In 1992, Palmieri produced Caballero's first Spanish-language salsa albumLlego La India via Eddie Palmieri(The India has Arrived viaEddie Palmieri),[3][8]which was acclaimed as one of the best salsa albums of the year. From then on, Caballero became known to all as La India.[6]India received aLo Nuestro Awardnomination in 1993 for Best Female Performer, Tropical/Salsa.[9]
In 1994 La India, together with Louie Vega, recorded the house-music single "Love and Happiness" (Yemaya y Ochún), which paid tribute toSantería(a syncreticreligionbased in the Caribbean). This up-beat track was played heavily in dance clubs internationally. La India's involvement with Santería drew much criticism.Sergio Georgeproduced La India's 1994 albumDicen Que Soy,a 2× gold-certifiedBillboardhit that added to her legend in the Latin-American music realm.[3]The album also included her cover of Cuba’s Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son’s hit song "Vivir Lo Nuestro[10],"featuring a duet withMarc Anthony.Later this same year,Combinación Perfectawas released.[4]
1996–present: La India, the Princess of Salsa[edit]
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 You may listen to La India sing"Seduceme"here. | |
| You may listen to La India sing "Jazzin" with Tito Puente
here |
In 1996, La India worked withTito PuenteonJazzin,anEnglish-languagealbum ofswingclassics with a Latin twist, onRMM Records.That same year she contributed the song "Banderas" to the album titledVoces Unidas(United Voices), a multi-artist tribute to the 1996 Summer Olympics. She also releasedIndia: Mega Mixthat same year before divorcing Vega. La India sang a duet titled "La Voz de la Experiencia" (The Voice of Experience) withCelia Cruz,the late Queen of Salsa.[3]It was then that Cruz gave Caballero her longer name: La India, the Princess of Salsa. In 1997, La India recorded "Sobre el Fuego" (Over the Fire) with Puerto Rican salsa singerKevin Ceballoas backup vocalist. The song was nominated for Best Latin Tropical PerformanceGrammy Award.In 1998, she won an ACE Award.[6]
On May 31, 1998, La India performed two sold-out concerts at theLuis A. FerrePerforming Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She returned to the United States, and television networkUPNaired one of her shows. With training provided by New York's famed choreographer Sara D'Arce India was also able to perform concerts in New York'sMadison Square Gardenand in El Festival de la Calle Ocho inMiami, Florida.In September 1999, La India released her albumSola,which earned positive reviews for the singleSolaand for covers of two hits by the late Cuban sensationLa Lupe,Que Te PediandSi Vuelves Tu.[4]
On February 5, 2000, a full-page ad inBillboard Magazinecongratulated La India for her secondGrammy Awardnomination. In March 2000, she was featured inVibe Magazine.On November 26, 2003, La India releasedLatin Songbird: Mi Alma y Corazón.[3]The album's lead single "Sedúceme" became a hit on the Latin charts, and topped the U.S. BillboardHot Latin Tracksfor several weeks. This romantic salsa hit single was La India's first number-one song.Latin Songbirdbrought her a new fan base with many awards and nominations, including twoLatin Grammynominations for Best Salsa Album and Best Tropical Song in 2003, and her thirdGrammy Awardnomination for Best Salsa Album in 2004.[11]
In 2005, La India participated in the musical presentationSelena ¡VIVE!,a tribute to the late Tejano sensationSelenaQuintanilla-Perez. In 2006, La India released the albumSoy Diferente,which contained two songs that became award-winning hits. The 2007 Annual LatinBillboardAwards honored La India with Best Tropical Album of the Year Female for "Soy Diferente" (I Am Different), and Latin Dance Club Play Track of the Year for "Solamente Una Noche" (Just for One Night). In 2007, La India collaborated with Latin sensationGloria Estefanin a duet titled "90 Millas."[11]
On June 11, 2006, La India was honored byUnion City, New Jerseywith a star on the Walk of Fame at Union City'sCelia CruzPark.[12]
La India released her ninth studio album in 2010. La India mentioned to theAssociated Press,"I am reinventing myself... changing my physical image. La India will return to become aBarbie.But more than that, I feel like a new woman because I have been blessed with many beautiful things. After many years, I have my family with me, and I am not separated from my mother, in which I suffered greatly. I have her in my life, and that brings inner peace that I haven't had in a long time. "
On February 23, 2010, La India's hit single "Estupida" was released on iTunes. The single was a cover of the 2009Italianversion "Stupida" byAlessandra Amoroso.La India's ninth studio album,Unica,was released June 1, 2010.
In 2011, La India continued to release new music. She performed a duet withIssac Delgadotitled "Que No Se Te Olvide." In 2011, La India released a new house track titled "Tacalacateo," on which she worked with Italian DJPeppe Citarella."Tacalacateo" peaked at #13 onBillboard's dance music chart.
In 2012, La India performed as part ofUNITY:The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, along with other Latin artists such as Tito Nieves and Kevin Ceballo.[13]
In 2014, La India once again signed with the record labelTop Stop Music,also joining the Salsa Giants project withSergio George.La India released her tenth studio salsa album "Intensamente Con Canciones deJuan Gabriel"onTop Stop Musicin 2015. It includes duets and solo pieces by both artists. This album was number one on Billboard's tropical chart for a consecutive four weeks. One song in particular,"Ahora Que Te Vas"quickly rose to number one on Billboard's tropical chart. With this song, La India became the Latino woman with the most-ever number ones, a record previously held by Gloria Estefan.[14]
In 2023,Rolling Stoneranked La India at number 113 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[15]
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [16] |
US Tropical[citation needed] | US Latin[citation needed] | Heatseekers[16] | |||
| 1990 | Breaking Night | — | — | — | — | |
| 1992 | Llego La India, ViaEddie Palmieri
|
— | 5 | — | — | |
| 1994 | Dicen Que Soy
|
— | 1 | 4 | — | |
| 1997 | Sobre el Fuego
|
— | 1 | 4 | 33 | |
| 1999 | Sola
|
— | 4 | 7 | 20 | |
| 2002 | Latin Songbird: Mi Alma y Corazón
|
— | 1 | 7 | 19 | |
| 2006 | Soy Diferente
|
— | 1 | 11 | 9 |
|
| 2010 | Unica
|
180 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| 2015 | Intensamente Con Canciones de Juan Gabriel
|
— | 1 | 3 | — | |
| "—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released in the region. | ||||||
Compilation albums[edit]
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Tropical[citation needed] |
US Latin[citation needed]Billboard Top Latin Albums | ||
| 1996 | Lo Mejor de India
|
— | — |
| 1997 | Mega Mix
|
— | — |
| 2001 | The Best...
|
— | — |
| 2005 | Grandes Exitos +
|
7 | 11 |
| "—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released in the region. | |||
EPs[edit]
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Love and Happiness(w/ River Ocean)
|
Contributions on other recordings[edit]
- 1988 - Mirage
- By Jellybean & Little Louie Vega (Featured on the "B" side of the 12 "Single of 'Just A Mirage')
- With Tony Humphries
- Keith Thompson – Rhythm of Life
- WithMasters at Work
- 1992 – Ride On The Rhythm by Louie Vega & Marc Anthony (wrote/background vocals)
- 1993 – When You Touch Me and I Can't Get No Sleep (fromThe Album)
- 1994 – Voices In My Mind by Voices (India, Carol Sylvan, Michael Watford)
- 1994 – Vibe P.M. (Masters at Work Remix) (featured with Mondo Grosso)
- 1998 – To Be In Love (MAW Remix) (from MAW Records:The Collection Volume I)
- 1996 –Runaway(fromNuyorican Soul)
- 2002 – Backfired (fromOur Time Is Coming)
- RMM Combinacion Perfecta
- 1994 – Vivir Lo Nuestro (duet withMarc Anthony)
- Li'l Mo Ying Yang
- 1995 Reach (samples "Love & Happiness" )
- Voces Unidas: TheAtlanta Olympics
- 1996 – Banderas
- JohNick – Play The World EP
- 1996 – Play The World (samples "Love & Happiness" )
- WithOscar D'León
- 1997 – Hazme El Amor (fromEn Nueva York)
- Puff Daddy & the Family – No Way Out
- 1997 – Senorita (samples India's "No Me Conviene" )
- The Last Days of DiscoOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack
- 1998 –I Love the Nightlife(Disco Round)
- The 24-Hour WomanOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack
- 1999 – India Con La Voe (Viva Puerto Rico)
- Haus-A-Holics – Latin Spice EP
- 2001 – Que Pasa by Haus-A-Holics (samples "Oye Como Va" with Tito Puente Jr.)
- EmpireOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack
- 2003 – Empire, Imperio
- WithTito Nieves,Nicky Jam,and K-Mil
- 2004 – Ya No Queda Nada
- WithIvy Queen
- 2004 – "Tócame" (fromReal)
- Tribute toSelena
- 2005 – No Debes Jugar (fromSelena ¡VIVE!)
- WithMarlon Fernández
- 2006 – Usted Abusó (fromMi Sueño)
- WithR.K.M & Ken-Y,Polaco,Nicky Jam,and Carlitos Way
- 2006 – Tocarte Toda
- WithGloria Estefan
- 2007–90 Millas (from90 Millas)
- WithMichael Stuart
- 2007 – Un Amor Tan Grande (fromSentimiento De Un Rumbero)
- WithYolandita Monge
- 2008 – Mala (Tropical Remix) (from "Mala")
- WithTito "El Bambino"
- 2009 – El Amor (Salsa Remix) (from "El Patron")
- ' 2010 – "Un Verano En Nueva York" (from Banco Popular De PR – Salsa, Un Homenaje A El Gran Combo Album)[18]
- WithIssac Delgado
- 2011 – Maxi single "Que No Se Te Olvide"
- With Peppe Citarella
- 2011 – Maxi single "Tacalacateo"
- WithTito Rojas
- 2011 – "Maldito y Bendito Amor" (Salsa version)
- 2011 – "Maldito y Bendito Amor" (Ballad version)
- ' 2013 – "Tu no tienes alma" (from the "Y Si Fueran Ellas" albuml[19])
- WithSergio George's Salsa Giants
- 2014 – "Bajo La Tormenta" (from Sergio George Presents: Salsa Giants Plus)
- With Tony Succar – Unity the Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson
- 2015 – "Earth song"
- With Tony Succar - Mimy Y Tony
- 2023 - "Sin Fronteras"
Awards and nominations[edit]
Latin Grammy[edit]
[1]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Intensamente con Canciones de Juan Gabriel | Best Salsa Album | Won |
Latin American Music Awards of 2016[edit]
[20]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Intensamente con Canciones de Juan Gabriel | Favorite Album—Tropical | Nominated |
Lo Nuestro Awards[edit]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | La India (herself) | Tropical Female Artist | Nominated |
| 2004 | La India (herself) | Best Salsa Performance | Nominated |
| 2004 | Seduceme | Best Tropical Song | Nominated |
| 2004 | Mi Alma Y Corazon | Best Tropical Album | Nominated |
| 2005 | La India (herself) | Female Artist Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | Soy Diferente | Best Tropical Album | Nominated |
| 2007 | La India (herself) | Female Artist Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | La India & Cheka | Group Or Duo Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | La India (herself) | Female Artist Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | Estupida | Best Tropical Song | Nominated |
| 2016 | La India (herself) | Female Artist Of The Year | Nominated |
BillboardLatin Music Awards[edit]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Latin Songbird: Mi Alma Y Corazon | Tropical Album Of The Year | Won |
| 2004 | La India (Herself) | Seduceme (Remix) | Won |
| 2006 | Grandes Exitos | Tropical Album Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | Soy Diferente | Tropical Album Of The Year | Won |
| 2007 | Pura Salsa | Tropical Album Of The Year | Nominated |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Latin Grammy Winners 2016: Complete List".Billboard.
- ^"India | Biography & History".AllMusic.Retrieved2019-10-18.
- ^abcdef"La India and Marc Anthony | The Legends | Latin Music USA".La India and Marc Anthony | The Legends | Latin Music USA.Retrieved2019-03-16.
- ^abcd"Cengage Learning – Education – Engaged with you".Galegroup.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-07-24.Retrieved2015-10-11.
- ^Valdes-Rodriguez, Alisa (April 9, 2000)."Commanding Respect".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 9, 2022.RetrievedJune 9,2022.
- ^abcd"pf – La India – Latin Music Artists – Corporate Event Booking Agent".Delafont.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-21.Retrieved2015-10-11.
- ^"La India – Supreme Princess of Salsa".Latina Lista: News from the Latinx perspective.2012-06-07.Retrieved2019-10-18.
- ^Aparicio, Frances R. (26 November 2013)."La India".doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2093294.ISBN978-1-56159-263-0.Retrieved2019-03-16.
- ^Lannert, John (March 30, 1993)."Secada Lead Latin Noms Following Grammy Win".Billboard.Vol. 105, no. 10. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 10.RetrievedJanuary 3,2013.
- ^"Adalberto Álvarez y su Son, Discografía, Salsero del mes".
- ^ab"La India's About More Than Just Salsa".Puerto Rico Herald.Retrieved2015-10-11.
- ^Rosero, Jessica."Viva la comunidad Cubano North Hudson celebrates at the annual Cuban Day Parade"Hudson ReporterJune 18, 2006
- ^"Unity – The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson | 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival | PBS Arts".Unity – The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson | 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival | PBS Arts.Retrieved2019-03-16.
- ^Mendizabal, Amaya (15 July 2015)."India Passes Gloria Estefan for Most Tropical Song Charts No. 1s Among Women".Billboard.
- ^"The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time".Rolling Stone.1 January 2023.Retrieved17 May2023.
- ^ab"India".Billboard.Retrieved2022-06-25.
- ^ab"American certifications – India".Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^"Banco Popular De PR – Salsa, Un Homenaje A El Gran Combo Album Lyrics".Artists.letssingit.com.Retrieved2015-10-11.
- ^"Site is down for maintenance – [Client Name]"(PDF).Ysifueranellas.com. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2015-01-31.Retrieved2015-10-11.
- ^Valdez, Maria G. (August 31, 2016)."Latin American Music Awards 2016 On Telemundo: Yandel, Nicky Jam Among Top Nominees [FULL LIST]".Latin Times.
External links[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- 1969 births
- Living people
- Singers from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- American freestyle musicians
- 20th-century American women singers
- 20th-century American singers
- Reprise Records artists
- RMM Records artists
- Salsa musicians
- People from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
- Sony Discos artists
- Universal Music Latino artists
- Top Stop Music artists
- Latin Grammy Award winners
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American singers
- Women in Latin music
- Puerto Rican feminists
- Feminist musicians