A P.F. Changs fortune cookie predicted Deyra Barrera’s Friday: “Tomorrow will probably be an important day for you.”
That morning, the 49-year-old mariachi singer from Tucson, Arizona, woke as much as a textual content from a pal, telling her that Kendrick Lamar had surprise-released GNX — and Barrera’s vocals opened the album. Barrera was shocked.
“My pores and skin will get goosebumps as a result of all of this occurred so rapidly for me,” she tells Rolling Stone, minutes after Lamar dropped the venture.
“I felt your presence right here final evening,” she sings within the first few seconds of the album, channeling her ranchera bravado over an operatic choir. “And we begin to cryyyy.”
By then, Barrera had solely listened to the LP’s monitor “Wacced Out Murals.” Throughout our name, she realized that her vocals have been additionally featured elsewhere on the album together with Tupac tribute “Reincarnated” and the SZA-assisted nearer “Gloria.”
“I wish to cry. That is taking me abruptly,” she musters in response.
Barrera thinks it was a baseball-playing angel that received her right here.
A number of weeks in the past, the mariachi singer was tapped by the Dodgers to carry out a tribute for late legend Fernando Valenzuela at Recreation One of many World Collection. She took the stage to carry out “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela,” and a medley that included “Yo Te Extrañaré,” a strong farewell music.
“I used to be in tears, singing for my pal who died, at a packed stadium,” Barrera says. “And, El señor Lamar was there. He listened to me sing.”
Apart from the Dodgers finally successful the sport, and the World Collection total, Barrera thinks that second was a “blessing” despatched by Valenzuela. She and Valenzuela turned longtime buddies after assembly on the Tepeyac Café in L.A., the place she used to carry out on Sundays, and the late singer was a fan of her voice.
“I consider in angels,” Barrera says. “And he’s an angel for me.”
Inside days of the World Collection sport, Barrera was in Lamar’s studio. His staff performed her the beats they’d use on the album, and gave her an outline of the feelings Lamar wished to evoke. Utilizing a pen and paper she introduced together with her, Barrera scribbled a number of strains to match what Lamar was searching for. (Lamar’s personal vocals had but to be positioned within the music.)
“I had no concept what I’d file. I make mariachi, not rap,” Barrera says. “They informed me they wished my fashion, my voice. I had no concept the way it was going to finish up on the file.”
At one level, Lamar stopped by to satisfy Barrera, and thanked her for being a part of the venture. She says Lamar lingered to listen to a few of her takes, however they didn’t spend a lot time collectively. “He welcomed me and was so form. He stated, ‘You have got such a strong voice. Thanks for coming.’ I had no concept what to say,” Barrera recounts. “Lamar is a genius, a maestro. Every part he makes is magic.”
Barrera hopes the Lamar collaboration “opens doorways” for her. Barrera has been hustling as a singer throughout Los Angeles County ever since she immigrated to the U.S. from Villa Juárez, Sonora in 1993. Following in her mother’s musical footsteps, Barrera was impressed by ranchera greats like Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, and Lola Beltrán.
“Ever since I can bear in mind, we’ve sung to pay for hire and to make sufficient cash to eat,” Barrera says. “It’s been a few years of highs and lows, however I haven’t thrown the towel in as a result of that is what I like.”
Whereas she cites this Lamar collaboration as her best accomplishment, Barrera has taken a shot at singing competitors reveals on Spanish-language TV. She first competed on Mexico’s La Academia in 2010, and reached third place on Univision’s Reina de la Canción in 2017. She then returned to Mexico the place she was praised for her evocative vocals on Mexico’s The Voice in 2021.
Together with making music as a soloist — she has solely two of her many recorded albums on streaming platforms — she makes a residing by acting at eating places, weddings, and quinceañeras as a part of the group, Trío Corazón.
“I hope this helps me. This business is actually troublesome,” Barrera says. “I must reap the benefits of this God-given second to develop as a singer. Any further, I must work quite a bit to have extra individuals hearken to my music, and study who I’m.”
Barrera has her eyes set excessive on what she hopes will come from this. In any case, she’s fought onerous for what she’s earned.
“I do know Kendrick goes to do the Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present… think about if he invited me to sing with him? That will be unbelievable,” she says. “I hope individuals know that it’s Deyra Barrera who’s on these songs.”
