Buika

María Concepción Balboa Buika was born on 11 May 1972 in Palma de Mallorca to Equatoguinean parents who had fled political exile. She began her musical life as a drummer and bassist before moving to vocals, and first built a reputation singing coplas in Madrid nightclubs in the late 1990s.

Her critically acclaimed discography has earned repeated Grammy and Latin Grammy recognition. Niña de Fuego (2008) was nominated for Latin Grammy Album of the Year, and La Noche Más Larga (2013) for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 56th Grammy Awards. Critics have compared her to Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf.

Buika has collaborated with Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Seal, Carlos Santana and Me’shell Ndegeocello, and contributed to Pedro Almodóvar’s film La piel que habito (2011). Her live shows are spare and theatrical — often a handful of musicians, a single spotlight, and one of the most arresting voices in contemporary world music.