Announcing Palabras Urgentes: the new album by Susana Baca

An icon of Afro-Peruvian music, Baca is now in the 50^th year of her musical career and celebrates the milestone with a forceful musical statement. Recorded as a form of protest and to spark debate, each of the ten songs on Palabras Urgentes is an individual chapter of an all-encompassing narrative, taking the listener on a journey: a unique musical reflection on the traditions of Peru.

Immersed in her country’s political landscape Baca has come to understand and value the importance of being the heir to singers that once sung for liberty, social equality and for the end of racism. It is the combination of the urgency of the lyrics and the beauty of the music that makes Palabras Urgentes so compelling.

The album is given added life by the presence and support of GRAMMY award winning Michael League (Snarky Puppy, Bokanté, David Crosby) as producer. League has challenged Baca and the musicians’ approach to making music and brought a new perspective to creating the album, helping create a universal and contemporary sound.

The lead single from the album titled ‘La Herida Oscura’, released today, is an homage to Micaela Bastidas, the guerrilla leader and one of the most courageous women of Peru’s independence. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Peru’s independence and ‘La Herida Oscura’ pays tribute to Bastidas as a central figure in its accomplishment. Susana’s great friend Chabuca Granda, was inspired by the leader and wrote this song in tribute to Micaela, entrusting it to Susana to sing.

“I sing ‘La Herida Oscura’ almost as if it were a secret,” says Susana Baca, “with the same intensity and love towards our history, I sing this song and will continue to sing it… every bit of rhythm can be found here, no words are missing.” 

Listen / download

Palabras Urgentes is out on 8th October 2021 on CD, Vinyl and all digital platforms and is available to pre-order now via the Real World Store.

Pre-order on CD / Vinyl