Lupita Infante Esparza is an American singer-songwriter. She sings traditional mariachi, norteño, and ranchera music. Infante's debut studio album La Serenata (2019) was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano). In 2020, her song "Dejaré" was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. Infante advocates for women's empowerment through her music.

Lupita Infante
Infante in 2015
Infante in 2015
Background information
Birth nameLupita Infante Esparza
OriginDowney, California, U.S.
GenresMariachi, norteño, ranchera
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsSony Music US Latin

Early life edit

Lupita Infante Esparza[1] is the daughter of Marisol Esparza and actor Pedro Infante Torrentera [Wikidata].[2] Her paternal grandparents are Mexican performers Lupita Torrentera [es] and Pedro Infante.[3][4] Infante's mother moved to the United States from Zacatecas when she was 16.[2] Infante was raised in a working class family in Downey, California. While in college, Infante worked at a senior and community center where she would sometimes sing. She completed a degree in ethnomusicology at University of California, Los Angeles, in 2017.[3][2] To pay for school, Infante was a driver for Uber and Lyft and worked as a music teacher.[4][5]

Career edit

Infante interview in 2015 (in Spanish)

In 2017, Infante was a finalist on La Voz.[6][7] On the show, she chose Carlos Vives as her vocal coach.[2] Infante was an opening act for Shaila Dúrcal and Beatriz Adriana. In June 2018, Infante performed at the Mariachi USA festival. In 2018, after releasing a cover of "Flor Sin Retoño", Infante signed with Peermusic.[7]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in California, Infante recorded music videos in her front yard.[3] She released her debut studio album La Serenata on September 27, 2019. It contains thirteen traditional mariachi and norteño songs[8][9] including "Sabor a Mí", "Dejaré", "Ya Ni Me Acuerdo" and "Yo He Nacido Mexicano".[10] In the album, she advocates for women's empowerment.[9] In September 2020, Infante and Frankie J covered and released a music video of "Buenos Amigos" for his album, Canciones Que Recuerdo.[11] In 2020, at the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards, her song "Dejaré" was nominated for a Best Regional Mexican Song.[12] At the Latin Grammy Awards, Infante and José Hernández covered "Amorcito Corazón" as a tribute to her grandfather, Pedro Infante.[13] In 2021, at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, her album, La Serenata was nominated for the Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano).[3][4]

Infante was inspired by her father and grandfather to pursue singing traditional Mexican music.[4] Her ranchera music is influenced by Chavela Vargas, Aida Cuevas, and Amalia Mendoza.[10]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

  • La Serenata (2019)[3]

Singles edit

Awards and honors edit

In 2020, she was listed as one of the 100 Latina Powerhouses by Hola! USA.[9]

Year Awards Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2020 Latin Grammy Awards Best Regional Mexican Song "Dejaré" Nominated [12]
2021 Grammy Awards Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) La Serenata Nominated [3]

Personal life edit

Infante's father acted in over 80 films. On April 1, 2009, he died in a Los Angeles hospital as a result of 12 self-inflicted stab wounds. He is buried in a cemetery in Querétaro.[14][4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Nieta de Pedro Infante seguirá sus pasos. Con Matilde Obregón". Radio Fórmula (in Spanish). April 16, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Nieta de Pedro Infante busca ganar "La Voz... México"". El Universal (in Spanish). October 18, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Pennacchio, George (December 31, 2020). "Huntington Park native goes from Uber driver to Grammy-nominated artist". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Lupita Infante recibió su primera nominación al Grammy". Noticias de El Salvador y el Mundo (in Spanish). March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Pantazes, Lydia (March 9, 2021). "Grammy Nominee Lupita Infante Carries on Family's Musical Legacy". NY1. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Aguila, Justin (June 23, 2018). "Billboard's Latin Artist On The Rise: Lupita Infante's On Mariachi & Legendary Grandfather Pedro Infante's Influence". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Lupita Infante, the King of Rancheras' Granddaughter, Signs With Peermusic". Billboard. October 2, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Which Album Will Grammy Voters Choose for Best Regional Mexican Album? Vote!". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Lupita Infante". HOLA! USA. September 17, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Martínez, Brenda (September 30, 2019). "Son las mujeres las que le dan fuerza a Lupita Infante". Los Angeles Times en Español (in Spanish). Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Romeo (September 16, 2020). "Frankie J premieres music video for 'Buenos Amigos' duet with Lupita Infante". Tejano Nation. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c AP (September 29, 2020). "Lista de todos los nominados a los Latin Grammy". Chicago Tribune (in Spanish). Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Gomez, Shirley (November 20, 2020). "Lupita Infante honors grandfather Pedro Infante, covering 'Amorcito corazón'". HOLA! USA. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "Pedro Infante Jr. se suicidó". People en Español (in Spanish). April 28, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2021.