Latin Music Artist Soraya Dies
Friday May 12, 2006
Latin music singer, songwriter and producer Soraya died in Miami on May 10th, after her valiant and vocal struggle with breast cancer. She was 37.
Born in New Jersey to Colombian parents, Soraya knew she wanted to be a singer after hearing the song "Pueblito Viejo" at the age of 5. She worked hard at making her dream come true, and in 1996 won her first record contract with Polygram Latino/Island Records. Her first album, On Nights Like This, delivered 4 tracks that hit the top of the Billboard charts. Her second album, Wall of Smiles, was co-written with Carole King and cemented her quickly growing international reputation.
Her next album, Cuerpo Y Alma, was released in 2000, but her scheduled tour was interrupted when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, a disease for which she was at high risk, since it had killed her mother, grandmother and aunt.
Putting her music aside, she underwent treatment and devoted herself tirelessly to her new mission: educating the Latino community in the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. She became the Latin spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Things were starting to look brighter, and in 2003, Soraya released her self-titled CD, Soraya, for EMI Latin. She subsequently won the 2004 Latin Grammy for Best Songwriting.
According to Variety, her website (which is now down) carried a message in Spanish for her fans. They quote from that message: "I have not lost this battle, because I know the fight was not in vain. Instead, it will help a battle, which is early detection to prevent this terrible disease".
There will be a public memorial for her today at Unity Park in Miami at 6:30 PM.
Born in New Jersey to Colombian parents, Soraya knew she wanted to be a singer after hearing the song "Pueblito Viejo" at the age of 5. She worked hard at making her dream come true, and in 1996 won her first record contract with Polygram Latino/Island Records. Her first album, On Nights Like This, delivered 4 tracks that hit the top of the Billboard charts. Her second album, Wall of Smiles, was co-written with Carole King and cemented her quickly growing international reputation.
Her next album, Cuerpo Y Alma, was released in 2000, but her scheduled tour was interrupted when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, a disease for which she was at high risk, since it had killed her mother, grandmother and aunt.
Putting her music aside, she underwent treatment and devoted herself tirelessly to her new mission: educating the Latino community in the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. She became the Latin spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Things were starting to look brighter, and in 2003, Soraya released her self-titled CD, Soraya, for EMI Latin. She subsequently won the 2004 Latin Grammy for Best Songwriting.
According to Variety, her website (which is now down) carried a message in Spanish for her fans. They quote from that message: "I have not lost this battle, because I know the fight was not in vain. Instead, it will help a battle, which is early detection to prevent this terrible disease".
There will be a public memorial for her today at Unity Park in Miami at 6:30 PM.
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