About the artist
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-born singer widely celebrated as the Queen of Salsa, one of the most influential voices in the history of Latin music. She rose to fame in Cuba in the 1950s as the lead singer of La Sonora Matancera before leaving the island after the 1959 revolution and settling in the United States, where she became a defining figure of the New York salsa scene alongside artists like Tito Puente and Johnny Pacheco on the Fania Records label.
Her voice was instantly recognizable: powerful, rhythmic, and full of joyful energy, often punctuated by her signature exclamation «¡Azúcar!». She helped popularize salsa worldwide with hits like «La Vida Es Un Carnaval», «Quimbara», and «Guantanamera», blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with big-band arrangements and an unmistakable stage presence built on flamboyant costumes and towering wigs.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Cruz recorded dozens of albums, won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, and became a global ambassador for Cuban and Latin culture. She remains one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time and a symbol of resilience and joy for the Cuban exile community and Latin music fans everywhere.
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Discography
Serenata Guajira (Remastered 2025)
2025
Lo Mejor de Celia Cruz
2022
Para La Eternidad
2016
Café Con Leche
2011
A Lady And Her Music: ¡Azúcar!
2010
La Reina Y Sus Amigos
2009
Salsa Divas
2004
Dios Disfrute a La Reina
2004
Regalo del Alma
2003
Siempre Celia Cruz: Boleros Eternos
2003
La Negra Tiene Tumbao
2001
Siempre Viviré
2000
Celia Cruz & Friends: A Night of Salsa
1999
Mi Vida Es Cantar
1998
Celia’s Duets
1997
Goza Negra
1996
Irrepetible
1994
Azúcar Negra
1993
Con la Sonora Matancera
1992
El Merengue
1992
Ritmo en el Corazón
1988
The Winners
1987
La Candela
1986
Homenaje a Beny Moré
1985
Tremendo Trío!
1983
De Nuevo
1983
Celia y Willie
1981
Celia, Johnny and Pete
1980
La Ceiba
1979
The ‘Brillante’ Best
1978
Eternos
1978
Only They Could Have Made This Album
1977
Recordando El Ayer
1976
Tremendo Caché
1975
Celia Vive, Vol. 2
1975
Celia & Johnny
1974
Algo Especial Para Recordar (Something Special to Remember)
1972
Nuevos Éxitos
1971
En España
1971
Alma Con Alma
1970
The Queen Of Salsa (Remastered 2025)
Tremendo Caché (Remastered 2024)
Etc. Etc. Etc.
1970
Boleros (Remastered)
Celia Cruz Hits Mix
Quimbo Quimbumbia
1969
Serenata Guajira
1968
¡La Excitante Celia Cruz!
1968
Bravo
1967
Son Con Guaguancó
1966
Cuba Y Puerto Rico Son...
1966
Homenaje a Los Santos, Vol. 2
1965
Homenaje a Los Santos
1964
Canta (Sings)
1956