Paloma San Basilio says goodbye to America after transcending with "music for ironing"

Miami.- Spanish singer Paloma San Basilio will say goodbye to America after a 50-year career with a final concert in Miami, where she attributes part of her transcendence to the fact that her songs became "music for ironing," that is, to listen to during household chores.

"When you are lucky enough to be part of that kind of music, which is called with a fantastic definition, music for ironing, that you have accompanied so many housewives and so many men in their daily chores, being their soundtrack, that is a privilege," he expresses in an interview with EFE. The artist, with over 16 million records sold, receives this Thursday the 'Excellence' award from the 'Premio lo Nuestro', one of the main Latin music ceremonies in the United States, where young singers Sofía Reyes and Yami Safdie, as well as pianist Arthur Hanlon, will pay tribute to her.

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San Basilio, 75 years old, believes that his music has remained current "because it goes directly to the heart, to the shared experiences of the people and because there has been a generational transfer."

America, "Paloma's Wings"

The Spanish artist culminates her 'Gracias' tour with a 'golden touch' in a concert on April 12 at the Knight Center in Miami, her last in America, a continent she considers her 'wings' for its nations 'so rich, with that diversity, with those accents, with that freshness'. "My entire career in Spain has been very important, but I believe that America is what allowed me to grow as an artist. Every time I had to pack my bags to come to this continent, I was happy. First, because I love to travel and I don't mind packing, and second, because I found myself in such wonderful countries," she says. The interpreter states that "being part of the Hispanic community is a source of pride," as the 'Premio Lo Nuestro' recognizes Spanish-language music that transcends in the United States and Latin America. "I have always had a lot of respect for the public and I have had the humility to know that I was entering countries that were giving me a space that I was not entitled to have, but that I had to earn," he comments.

The Future and Past of San Basilio

Despite saying goodbye to concerts in America, the singer says she is "very forward-looking," which is why she is now starring in Spain in the new musical play 'Dulcinea', with texts by Cervantes. The Madrid native, who has received the Latin Grammy for Musical Excellence and the Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts, plans to be in art for the rest of her life, whether as an actress in the theater or, even, writing and painting. "I keep performing on stage and I keep talking to people and singing to people, and that allows me to continue living the stage experience from a different perspective, so it's like I'm closing a space, but I'm opening another one," he explains. You can also read: Regarding her legacy, she states 'Don't cry for me Argentina', 'Together' and 'Why did you abandon me' as the three songs that most marked her career. And she doubts whether, in this musical landscape, a singer like her can emerge, with romantic ballads and "heartbreaking" songs. "I don't know. I think that right now we are in a very different musical moment. Urban music is taking up a lot of space, everything that is the typical Caribbean rhythm, and I think that right now that's what the market is asking for," she concludes.