La Santa Cecilia dedicates Grammy to 11 million undocumented
By Sandra Lilley, NBCLaino
For the group, their songs about the lives of U.S. immigrants – in particular those without legal papers – hit close to home. Band member José “Pepe” Carlos is not a legal resident; he came from Mexico with his parents as a young child without documentation.
Lead singer Marisol Hernandez has said that the song “El Hielo,” referring to I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which describes the lives of people living with the fear of being deported, was based partly on her own mother’s experience.
”La Santa Cecilia,” which blends rock, reggae and more Latino beats like cumbia, performed in Washington, DC in 2013 at a large rally in favor of immigration reform.
Other Latino winners in Sunday’s 2014 Grammys include Bruno Mars, who won “Best Pop Vocal Album” for “Unorthodox Jukebox” and dedicated it to his late mother.
Singer and producer Robi “Draco” Rosa, whose career started as a young member of the group “Menudo,” won a Grammy for “Best Latin Pop Album” for “Vida.” Draco, who has been battling cancer, said through a statement, “what better way to celebrate music for all of its blessings.”
The “Best Latin Jazz Album” went to Paquito D’Rivera and Trio Corrente.
This Article was originally published in NBCLatino.
Sandra Lilley loves being an active part of our “national conversation”, on everything from politics, education and the economy to the latest books and people in the news. Sandra started out in Telemundo-NY as a general assignment reporter and later News Director. She was also a Dayside Managing Editor at MSNBC and a Planning Editor for the NBC Domestic Desk. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Sandra studied history at Brown University, and currently lives in New Jersey with her family. Sandra hopes our site inspires and informs Latinos as they work toward their family’s “American Dream.”
[Photo by la-underground]
