Megastar Gloria Estefan is starting the new year on a great note. She has been selected, along with six other musical icons, to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She is shattering yet another glass ceiling by becoming the first Hispanic woman to belong to the institution.
Estefan joins inductees Sade, Snoop Dogg, Jeff Lynne, Glen Ballard, Teddy Riley, and Liz Rose, on June 15 in New York City for the official ceremony.
The Cuban American singer-songwriter carries the rhythms of her motherland in her blood and in her music. Born in Havana, Cuba, she is known as the “Queen of Latin Pop.” Her love for “Mi Tierra’’ has shaped her artistic personality, combining her Cuban and American beats with songs like “Conga,” “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Get on Your Feet,” and many more.
Estefan's philosophy is that no dream is impossible. “I’m so happy,” she said. “I'm getting inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. It’s a dream that I could never have imagined would come true. Thanks to everyone that has listened to my music and been supportive through the years. Because of you, this is possible for me. So, thank you.’’
The culmination of years strumming away at an acoustic guitar and writing hit songs like “Let’s Get Loud,” “Words Get in the Way,” “Anything for You,” and “Don't Wanna Lose You” marks an impressive next chapter in the artist’s life. This is no surprise because the Queen of Latin Pop has consistently used music, her constant companion, to celebrate her heritage and make her mark for decades.
She does not miss a beat, and last year, for her birthday on Sept. 1, Estefan received a Barbie Doll made in her image by Mattel. A month later, she dropped the “Estefan Family Christmas” album, a collection best represented by its nostalgic, happy tunes with ad-libbed vocals by almost all her family members. The unique project featured her daughter Emily; her grandson Sasha; and her husband, Emilio Estefan; who made his singing debut. To bring the album to life, Estefan worked alongside Shelton G. Berg, the dean of the Frost School of Music, proving that she remains invested in her alma mater and its incredible music community.
Looking back on the music she has written, Estefan brought a powerful shift to the industry with her Cuban sounds that at times were described as “too Cuban or too Latin.” Yet, she and Emilio prevailed, opening doors for other generations.
Estefan was the first Hispanic female artist to make the crossover to the American market; and today, her songs are a big part of U.S. pop music culture. She stayed true to her roots and helped catapult other Hispanic artists, such as Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Selena, Jon Secada, and many others.
It's no surprise, but perhaps a long time coming, that at the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s star-studded event, which is slated to take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, this beloved alumna and megastar will be honored for being such an incredible trailblazer and songwriter.
“The music industry does not exist without songwriters delivering great songs first,” said Hall of Fame’s Chairman Nile Rodgers in a statement he released. “Without them, there is no recorded music, no concert business, no merch . . . nothing; it all starts with the song and the songwriter. We are therefore very proud that we continually recognize some of the culturally most important songwriters of all time and that the 2023 slate represents not just iconic songs but also diversity and unity across genres, ethnicity, and gender, songwriters who have enriched our lives and, in their time, literally transformed music and the lives of billions of listeners all over the world.”
Estefan has had a great impact on the music business, but she said that she hopes to be remembered for celebrating her roots. For this, and more, we continue to honor her legacy and congratulate her for this well-deserved achievement.
