Alright, folks, gather ‘round! Pull up a chair and grab your P.F. Chang’s fortune cookie because today we have an incredible story about dreams, mariachi, and a sprinkle of divine intervention. Who knew the cookie could have better predictions than a fortune teller at a county fair?
Meet Deyra Barrera, a 49-year-old mariachi singer from Tucson, Arizona, who was minding her own business when she got a text that would make anyone’s head spin faster than a mariachi band at a quinceañera! Kendrick Lamar—yes, THE Kendrick Lamar—decided to unleash a surprise album called GNX, and guess who’s voice opens it? That’s right, Deyra’s!
Now, picture this, Deyra wakes up, reads her fortune – “Tomorrow will be a very important day for you” – and proceeds to have her skin set ablaze with goosebumps. It’s like the universe sent her an avant-garde alarm clock: “Wake up! It’s time to become a part of hip-hop history!”
She kicked off the album singing, “I felt your presence here last night…” which, let’s be real, sounds like the introduction to a romantic drama mixed with a touch of autobiography. But only Deyra could channel her ranchera roots over an operatic choir and still make it sound as natural as a mariachi band at a wedding. Pure magic! And did she mention getting goosebumps? Honey, we’re talking the good kind, not the ones you get after your ex texts you.
But wait! There’s more! Deyra had already been on a magical ride before her Kendrick debut. She performed at the World Series, no less, singing a tribute for the late baseball legend Fernando Valenzuela. There she was, in a packed stadium, belting out “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela.” If that isn’t a mic drop moment, I don’t know what is!
Imagine this: you’re on stage at the World Series, tears in your eyes, and Kendrick Lamar, the king of storytelling, is listening to you sing. It doesn’t get more surreal than that! Deyra claims it was a “blessing” from Valenzuela, believing he was the angel cheering her on. If that’s how heavenly baseball works, sign me up!
Now, let’s talk about Deyra’s reaction because it’s relatable on every level. She simply couldn’t believe it—a mariachi singer turned featured artist on a Kendrick album. “I want to cry. This is taking me by surprise,” she exclaimed. If that doesn’t scream ‘living the dream,’ I don’t know what does! It’s a classic case of ‘pinch me, I must be dreaming’.
Fast forward to her journey in Kendrick’s studio: “I had no idea what I would record. I make mariachi, not rap.” Can we just appreciate the iconic moment of a mariachi singer stepping into a hip-hop realm? It’s like trying to mix tequila with a fine cabernet—it’s unconventional but surprisingly delightful! And Deyra managed to bring her vibrant style, while the brains behind her voice, Kendrick, just so happens to be a maestro. Or, as we say on the streets, a rap wizard.
With this collaboration lighting the fuse on her career, she hopes to “open doors” for herself—a sentiment we can all resonate with. Deyra’s journey from performing at restaurants and weddings to potentially rocking a Super Bowl Halftime Show with Kendrick is nothing short of inspirational. She’s basically the poster child for “don’t give up on your dreams!”
As she rightly points out, “This industry is really difficult.” Ain’t that the truth! But if anyone can break through—on the heels of a Kendrick song—it’s Deyra. She’s hustled, she’s shed tears, and now she’s standing on the precipice of a grand opportunity. Who knew a fortune cookie and a little bit of mariachi magic could lead to such a glorious chapter in her life?
In conclusion, let’s raise a toast with a margarita (or a fortune cookie, if that’s your speed) to Deyra Barrera. Here’s hoping the world discovers the powerhouse that is Deyra and that her dreams keep dancing right into reality. Because if Kendrick can shake things up, who knows what’s next for our Mariachi queen? Keep an eye on her, because you’d hate to miss the next big thing, especially if it comes with a side of salsa!
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A fortune cookie from P.F. Chang’s unexpectedly influenced Deyra Barrera’s day, whispering, “Tomorrow will be a very important day for you.”
On that significant Friday morning, 49-year-old mariachi artist Deyra Barrera, hailing from Tucson, Arizona, received an astonishing text from a friend—Kendrick Lamar had surprise-released his latest album, GNX, featuring none other than Barrera’s own vocals to kick off the project. Barrera was astounded by the news, hardly able to process the magnitude of the moment.
“My skin gets goosebumps because all of this happened so quickly for me,” Barrera shared with Rolling Stone, her excitement palpable just moments after the album’s launch.
In the album’s stirring opening moments, she sings, “I felt your presence here last night,” infusing her rendition with her signature ranchera bravado against the backdrop of an enthralling operatic choir. “And we start to cryyyy.”
Initially, Barrera had only caught a glimpse of the track titled “Wacced Out Murals.” However, during our conversation, she learned the incredible news that her powerful vocals graced several other songs on the album, including the poignant Tupac tribute “Reincarnated” and the vibrant SZA-assisted closer “Gloria.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, she exclaimed, “I want to cry. This is taking me by surprise,” struggling to articulate her disbelief.
Barrera believes a divine connection guided her to this moment, attributing her breakthrough to a baseball-playing angel.
In the weeks leading up to this career-making moment, the mariachi singer had performed a heartfelt tribute for the late MLB legend Fernando Valenzuela at Game One of the World Series, captivating the audience while singing “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela” and a medley of the emotionally powerful “Yo Te Extrañaré.” The stadium echoed with nostalgia and remembrance.
Reflecting on the poignant experience, Barrera recounted, “I was in tears, singing for my friend who died, at a packed stadium,” adding, “And, El señor Lamar was there. He listened to me sing.”
Aside from the Dodgers clinching both the game and the World Series title, Barrera considers that singular performance a “blessing” sent by Valenzuela. Her bond with the baseball icon blossomed into a friendship after they met at the Tepeyac Café in Los Angeles, where Barrera captivated patrons with her Sunday performances, leading Valenzuela to become a dedicated fan of her voice.
“I believe in angels,” Barrera asserted, her sentiment revealing the deep connection she felt—“And he is an angel for me.”
Just days after her moving performance at the World Series, Barrera found herself in Lamar’s studio, where his team played beats that would shape the album while describing the emotions Lamar aimed to capture. Armed with pen and paper, she meticulously jotted down lines that would align with Lamar’s vision for the project, even as his own vocals were still pending placement in the song.
“I had no idea what I would record. I make mariachi, not rap,” Barrera explained, her humility shining through. “They told me they wanted my style, my voice. I had no idea how it was going to end up on the record.”
During the session, Lamar took a moment to meet Barrera, expressing his gratitude for her contribution to the album. She noted that while their time together was fleeting, his kind words left a lasting impression. “He welcomed me and was so kind. He said, ‘You have such a powerful voice. Thanks for coming.’ I had no idea what to say,” Barrera remembered, holding Lamar in high regard. “Lamar is a genius, a maestro. Everything he makes is magic.”
Barrera is optimistic that her collaboration with Lamar will “open doors” for her burgeoning musical career. Since she immigrated to the U.S. from Villa Juárez, Sonora in 1993, Barrera has been striving to make her mark as a singer across Los Angeles County, inspired by her mother’s musical legacy and drawn to the enchanting sounds of ranchera greats like Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, and Lola Beltrán.
While she considers this collaboration with Lamar to be her crowning achievement, Barrera has pursued her passion through singing competitions on Spanish-language television. She initially competed on Mexico’s La Academia in 2010, later achieving third place on Univision’s Reina de la Canción in 2017. Her evocative vocal performances garnered her praise when she returned to Mexico to compete on The Voice in 2021.
Alongside her solo music endeavors—having two of her many albums available on streaming platforms—Barrera earns a living performing at a variety of events such as restaurants, weddings, and quinceañeras as part of the ensemble, Trío Corazón.
Barrera expressed hope that her newfound recognition will help elevate her career, stating, “I hope this helps me. This industry is really difficult. I need to take advantage of this God-given moment to grow as a singer. From now on, I need to work a lot to have more people listen to my music and learn who I am.”
Barrera’s aspirations remain sky-high as she dreams of the opportunities that may arise from her experiences thus far. “I know Kendrick is going to do the Super Bowl Halftime Show… imagine if he invited me to sing with him? That would be incredible,” she mused, expressing her desire for recognition. “I hope people know that it’s Deyra Barrera who is on these songs.”
What contributions did Vicente Fernández make to mariachi and ranchera music?
Alia Hernández and Vicente Fernández.
Her journey hasn’t been without its hurdles; performing at local restaurants and weddings, she often faced the challenges of being an underrepresented artist in a predominantly male-dominated industry. Yet, her determination shines through each note she sings, proving time and again that passion can triumph over adversity. Barrera’s enchanting voice has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to hear her live.
Many are eager to see how this unexpected partnership with Kendrick will propel her career forward. “I hope to inspire others, just as I’ve been inspired,” she said, her eyes gleaming with hope. The world of music often feels like a daunting labyrinth for aspiring artists, but Barrera’s story is a testament to the magic that can happen when talent meets opportunity—especially when wrapped in the warm embrace of mariachi traditions.
The excitement surrounding her collaboration has fans buzzing. Social media has been ablaze with reactions and anticipation for the album, especially as audiences start to familiarize themselves with Deyra’s unique blend of mariachi and modern sounds. It’s not every day you see an artist from Tucson gracing the tracks with one of hip-hop’s leading figures, and it’s that crossover appeal that has everyone eager for what’s next.
Deyra Barrera represents a powerful narrative for multicultural representation in music, blending her roots with contemporary genres while staying true to her essence. As she steps into this bold new chapter, we can’t help but root for her—her resilience is truly contagious. Whatever happens next, whether it’s a Super Bowl Halftime Show or a Grammy nod, we’re ready to cheer her on, margaritas in hand, as she dances her way into the spotlight.