Julieta Venegas
Biography
Julieta Venegas Percevault, born on November 24, 1970, in Long Beach, California, is a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Raised in Tijuana, Mexico, she began studying piano at the age of eight, and her passion for music grew from there. In her youth, she joined several bands, including the ska group Tijuana No!, for which she composed one of their biggest hits, "Pobre de Ti". Venegas is a versatile musician who plays various instruments, including the acoustic guitar, accordion, and keyboard.
Early Career and Breakthrough
In 1997, Venegas released her debut solo album, "Aquí," which was met with positive reviews from the rock audience in Mexico. The album's first single, "De Mis Pasos," was popular among young audiences. Her second album, "Bueninvento" (2000), garnered critical acclaim and featured collaborations with producers like Gustavo Santaolalla. Venegas's mainstream breakthrough came in 2003 with her third album, "Sí". This album marked a shift towards pop-rock and included hit singles like "Andar Conmigo" and "Algo está cambiando," which topped the Latin Billboard charts.
"Sí" and Commercial Success
The album "Sí" was a significant turning point in Venegas's career, earning her multiple awards. In 2004, she won her first Latin Grammy for "Best Rock Album". That same year, MTVla honored her with three awards: "Artist of the Year," "Solo of the Year," and "Best Artist North." The album's success established her as a leading songwriter in Latin pop.
"Limón y Sal" and International Acclaim
Venegas's fourth studio album, "Limón y Sal," was released in 2006 and became her best-selling album to date. The album's lead single, "Me Voy," became a worldwide hit. "Limón y Sal" achieved platinum status in several countries and earned Venegas a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album and a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. The success of this album led to a world tour that included stops in Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
MTV Unplugged and Continued Evolution
In 2008, Venegas released "MTV Unplugged," a live album that sold over 400,000 digital copies and earned a diamond certification in Mexico. She followed this with the studio albums "Otra Cosa" (2010) and "Los Momentos" (2013), the latter marking a move towards indie pop. Her 2015 album, "Algo Sucede," debuted at number one on the Latin Pop Albums chart.
Recent Work and Legacy
Venegas continues to be an influential figure in Latin music. She released the conceptual album "La Enamorada" in 2019 and "Tu Historia" in 2022. She has collaborated with numerous artists across different genres, including Tainy, Bad Bunny, and Natalia Lafourcade. Venegas has been recognized for her contributions to music with awards such as the Master of Latin Music Award from Berklee College. With a career spanning decades, she has sold over 25 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and eleven Latin Grammy Awards.