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The channel Celia Cruz AZÚCAR!, launched by the satellite broadcaster SiriusXM, has been offering a program dedicated to the Queen of Salsa since last Thursday, in the year of her centenary.
The channel will be available for online listening throughout the year and will honor the global impact of the Cuban artist , the note from the Efe agency states.
The program will include everything from Celia's hits with Fania Records to the global anthems of her later artistic period, the information adds.
Additionally, fans of Cuban music will be able to listen to tracks by contemporary artists and musicians influenced by her, such as Angélique Kidjo, Buena Vista Social Club, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Tito Nieves, La India, and members of the Fania All Stars.
The first month of the programming will also include special and thematic content such as Celia & Tito, hosted by Tito Puente Jr., which will explore the work of Cruz alongside his father.
Additionally, Quarter Legacy, featuring the salsa singer La India, will present twenty-five anthems by Celia, while Tabaco y Ron, led by producer and singer Willy Chirino, will focus on the boleros performed by Celia.
Additionally, on October 2nd, the concert 100 Years of ¡Azúcar! All Stars will be broadcast, recorded at the SiriusXM studios in Miami, featuring Albita, José Alberto El Canari', Lena Burke, Leslie Cartaya, Lucrecia, Tony & Mimy Succar, and Chirino himself, among others.
The channel will be available online and for a limited time in cars, on channel 79, from September 26 to October 3.
Celia viral
This weekend, a video shared on Instagram by the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts went viral, bringing back one of the most endearing moments of Celia Cruz's career: her appearance on a children's program on public television in the United States.
It is about the popular Sesame Street, an educational television series well-known for its puppet characters - the famous Muppets - and its Spanish version, Plaza Sésamo.
In the clip, which quickly went viral with over 300,800 likes, the Queen of Salsa performs her classic "Quimbara" surrounded by dolls and children, who enthusiastically join her.
Between 1987 and 1995, the artist appeared in four episodes of the television show, where she shared the stage with her characters and child actors.
The legacy of Celia on her centenary
The singer, who passed away on July 16, 2003, and is buried in The Bronx alongside her husband Pedro Knight, is still remembered as a symbol of talent, resilience, and joy, especially outside of a Cuba where her name remains excluded from official tributes.
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad de la Santísima Trinidad Cruz Alfonso was born in the Havana neighborhood of Santos Suárez on October 21, 1925.
He recorded more than 70 albums, won three consecutive Latin Grammys in his later years, and established himself as the most iconic figure in Cuban music, famous for his overwhelming energy, colorful outfits, and his famous shout of "¡Azúcar!".
In 2024, her songs recorded 64 million official on-demand streams in the United States, reaffirming the relevance of her art and its intergenerational influence.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tribute to Celia Cruz on Her Centenary
What is the Celia Cruz AZÚCAR! channel launched by SiriusXM?
The Celia Cruz AZÚCAR! channel is a station dedicated to celebrating the centenary of Celia Cruz that provides special programming about her music and influence. It will be available online throughout the year and temporarily in cars on channel 79 of SiriusXM.
What type of programming does the Celia Cruz AZÚCAR! channel include?
The channel includes a variety of content, from Celia Cruz's hits with Fania Records to collaborations with other artists. It also offers special themed programs such as Celia & Tito, Quarter Legacy, and Tabaco y Ron, which highlight different aspects of her career.
What is Celia Cruz's legacy today?
Celia Cruz continues to be a symbol of talent and joy. Despite her passing in 2003, she is still honored internationally, and her music continues to resonate around the world, with 64 million streams in the United States in 2024. Her legacy is especially significant outside of Cuba, where her name is not mentioned in official tributes.
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