Nuestra Señora de La Paz La Paz[1] (Spanish) Chuquiago Marka or Chuqiyapu (Aymara) La Paz (English)
View of La Paz from Av. del Ejército in 2008. At the back, The Americas Bridge.
Flag Seal
Motto: "Los discordes en concordia, en paz y amor se juntaron y pueblo de paz fundaron para perpetua memoria"
Nuestra Señora de La Paz Location of La Paz within La Paz Department
Coordinates: 16°30′S 68°09′W / 16.5°S 68.15°W / -16.5; -68.15Coordinates: 16°30′S 68°09′W / 16.5°S 68.15°W / -16.5; -68.15
Country	Bolivia
Departament	La Paz
Province	Pedro Domingo Murillo
Founded	October 20, 1548 by Alonso de Mendoza
Independence	July 16, 1809
Government
• Mayor	Luis Antonio Revilla Herrero [2]
Area
• City	472 km2 (182 sq mi)
• Urban	3,240 km2 (1,250 sq mi)
Elevation	3,640 m (11,942 ft)
Population (2008[3])
• City	877,363
• Density	1,861.2/km2 (4,820.6/sq mi)
• Metro	2,364,235
Time zone	BOT (UTC−4)
Area code(s)	2
HDI (2010)	0.672 – high[4]
Website	www.lapaz.bo

Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnwes.tɾa seˈɲoɾa ðe la pas]; English: Our Lady of Peace; Aymara: Chuquiago Marka or Chuqiyapu), simply known as La Paz, is the seat of government of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country (in population) after Santa Cruz de la Sierra.^[3] It is located in the western part of the country in the department of the same name at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) (the city is built on steep hills) above sea level, making it the world's highest "de facto" capital city, or administrative capital.

While the official capital of Bolivia is Sucre and it is the seat of Justice, La Paz has more government departments, hence the "de facto" qualifier.^[5] The city sits in a "bowl" surrounded by the high mountains of the altiplano.

As it grows, the city of La Paz climbs the hills, resulting in varying elevations from 3,000 to 4,100 m (9,800 to 13,500 ft). Overlooking the city is towering triple-peaked Illimani, which is always snow-covered and can be seen from several spots of the city, including from the neighbor city of El Alto. As of the 2001 census, the city had a population of 877,363.^[6] La Paz Metropolitan area, formed by the cities of La Paz, El Alto and Viacha, make the most populous urban area of Bolivia, with a population of 2.3 million inhabitants and surpassing the metropolitan area of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.^[7]

History[link]

Government Palace of Bolivia in downtown La Paz

Founded in 1548 by the Spanish conquistadors at the site of the Native American settlement, Laja, the full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz (meaning Our Lady of Peace). The name commemorated the restoration of peace following the insurrection of Gonzalo Pizarro and fellow conquistadors four years earlier against Blasco Núñez Vela, the first viceroy of Peru. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.^[8]

Control over the former Inca lands had been entrusted to Pedro de la Gasca by the Spanish king (and Holy Roman Emperor) Emperor Charles V. Gasca commanded Alonso de Mendoza to found a new city commemorating the end of the civil wars in Peru; the city of La Paz was founded on October 20, 1548.

In 1549, Juan Gutierrez Paniagua was commanded to design an urban plan that would designate sites for public areas, plazas, official buildings, and a cathedral. La Plaza de los Españoles, which is known today as the Plaza Murillo, was chosen as the location for government buildings as well as the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Michael McLean controlled La Paz with a firm grip and the Spanish king had the last word in all matters political. In 1781, for a total of six months, a group of Aymara people laid siege to La Paz. Under the leadership of Tupac Katari, they destroyed churches and government property. Thirty years later Indians laid a two-month siege on La Paz – where and when the legend of the Ekeko is set. In 1809 the struggle for independence from the Spanish rule brought uprisings against the royalist forces. It was on July 16, 1809 that Pedro Domingo Murillo famously said that the Bolivian revolution was igniting a lamp that nobody would be able to turn-off. This formally marked the beginning of the Liberation of South America from Spain. Pedro Domingo Murillo was hanged at the Plaza de los Españoles that night, but his name would be eternally remembered in the name of the plaza, and he would be remembered as the voice of revolution across South America.

In 1825, after the decisive victory of the republicans at Ayacucho over the Spanish army in the course of the Spanish American wars of independence, the city's full name was changed to La Paz de Ayacucho (meaning The Peace of Ayacucho).

Legislative Palace of Bolivia.

In 1898, La Paz was made the de facto seat of the national government, with Sucre remaining the nominal historical as well as judiciary capital. This change reflected the shift of the Bolivian economy away from the largely exhausted silver mines of Potosí to the exploitation of tin near Oruro, and resulting shifts in the distribution of economic and political power among various national elites.^[9]

Geography[link]

The city in winter, with Illimani in the background.

Valle de la Luna

Located at 16°30′0″S 68°08′0″W / 16.5°S 68.133333°W / -16.5; -68.133333 (−16.5, −68.1333), La Paz is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River (now mostly built over), which runs northwest to southeast. The city's main thoroughfare, which roughly follows the river, changes names over its length, but the central tree-lined section running through the downtown core is called the Prado.

The geography of La Paz (in particular the altitude) reflects society: the lower areas of the city are the more affluent areas. While many middle-class residents live in high-rise condos near the center, the houses of the truly affluent are located in the lower neighborhoods southwest of the Prado. And looking up from the center, the surrounding hills are plastered with makeshift brick houses of those less economically fortunate.

The satellite city of El Alto, in which the airport is located, is spread over a broad area to the west of the canyon, on the Altiplano. La Paz is renowned for its unique markets, very unusual topography, and traditional culture.

La Paz is located in the valleys of the Andes, and is closer to the Eastern split of the Altiplano region. Therefore, it is closer to the famous mountains such as the Illimani (guardian of La Paz), Huayna Potosi, Mururata, and Illampu. On the Western side of the Altiplano divide, about an hour to the West of the La Paz, is the site of the tallest mountain in Bolivia and 9th tallest mountain in the Andes, the Sajama Volcano. In July 1994, an earthquake rated at 8.2 struck just 200 miles north of La Paz, the largest earthquake since the Sumbawa earthquake of 1977. Part of the water supply is derived from glaciers, which are becoming a less reliable source of water.^[10]

Districts[link]

The city is divided into seven main districts, called "Macro Distritos", which at the same time are divided into 21 small districts or zones.^[11] The city is commonly divided by the people into three main zones: South Zone, Central Zone and North Zone.

• 1st Main District: Cotahuma: San Jorge, Sopocachi, Alto Sopocachi (Sopocachi Highlands), Pasankeri, Tembladerani, Llojeta, Alpacoma, Belén, Tacagua, San Pedro, Alto San Pedro (San Pedro Highlands)
• 2nd Main District: Max Paredes: Gran Poder, Obispo Indaburu, Villa Victoria, El Tejar, Alto Tejar, Chamoco Chico, Munaypata, Pura Pura, Ciudadela Ferroviaria
• 3rd Main District: Periférica: Limanipata, Achachicala, Vino Tinto, 25 de Mayo, 5 Dedos, Santiago de Lacaya, Rosasani, La Merced, Chuquiaguillo
• 4th Main District: San Antonio: Villa de Copacabana, Villa Armonía, Villa San Antonio, Kupini, Callapa, Pampahasi, San Isidro
• 5th Main District: Distrito Sur (South District): Irpavi, Bolonia, Alto Irpavi, Koani, Achumani, Achumani-Meseta, Alto Achumani, Calacoto, Alto Calacoto, Cotacota, Chasquipampa, Ovejuyo, Obrajes, Alto Obrajes, Bajo LLojeta, Bella Vista, Alto Seguencoma, Bajo Seguencoma.
• 6th Main District: Mallasa: Amor de Dios, Aranjuez, Mallasilla, Isla Verde, Mallasa, Jupapina,

Comunidad Chiaraque.

• 7th Main District: Distrito Centro (Central District): El Rosario, San Sebastián, Santa Bárbara, Casco Urbano Central, Parque Urbano Central, Miraflores, Casco Viejo

Main neighborhoods and zones[link]

La Paz skyline from the "Via Balcón".

Buildings in San Jorge, on the 1st District (Cotahuma).

• San Jorge:, located on the 1st District (Cotahuma) and near Sopocachi, it is one of the main residential and diplomatic areas of the city. In contains several buildings, both residential and offices, and embassies, including the Spain Embassy, the United States Embassy, the United Kingdom Embassy and others. One of the main avenues of the city, Arce Avenue, starts on this zone.

Aerial view of Calacoto, on the 5th District.

• Sopocachi:, located in the 1st District (Cotahuma), Sopocachi is probably one of the oldest residential neighborhoods, located 10 minutes away from the center of the city. Despite the expansion and development of the area, this quarter maintained its residential property. In the last years, there has been an important commercial expansion, mainly on the surroundings of Abaroa Square, one of the many squares and parks of the zone.

• San Pedro:, located on the 1st District (Cotahuma), on the right bank of the Choqueyapu River and built around the "Plaza de San Pedro" (official name: Plaza Sucre, Sucre Square), is home to numerous shops, businesses and small enterprises, especially printing, spare parts and auto maintenance and repair shops. San Pedro's "Rodriguez Market" remains as one of the most popular middle-class and oldest of the city. The San Pedro prison is located here.
• Centro: (Downtown) is located on the 7th District and comprises the center of La Paz and principal avenues of the city, like Arce Avenue, July 16 Avenue (also known as "Prado Avenue"), Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue and Camacho Avenue, this last one being the home of the headquarters of the principal banks and companies of the country.

• Casco Viejo:, located on the 7th District, is the historic and ancient center of La Paz. It now houses museums, hotels, shops and buildings as the Mayor City of La Paz and the Central Bank of Bolivia. In the Old Quarter is the Plaza Murillo, which is home to the Government Palace and the National Congress.

• Miraflores:, located on the 7th District, Miraflores district is separated from downtown by a long barrel (called Parque Urbano Central, Central Urban Park) and connected by the Bridge of the Americas and two avenues. Originally a residential zone, its growth has led it to become a major recreational center. It houses universities (including the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés's faculty of medicine), hospitals and the Estadio Hernando Siles (capacity of 45,000 people).

Skyline of Sopocachi, located on the 1st District.

• Northern District:, located on the 2nd and 3rd districts, it has a significant industrial activity (mainly food), being the Cervecería Boliviana Nacional (Bolivian National Brewery) the most significant industry founded by Germans, and one of the city's biggest companies in the country. It connects La Paz with the city of El Alto by the "autopista"or Highway.

• Southern District:, located on the 5th district has less height than the rest of La Paz (3,200 to 2,800 meters). This area houses the most affluent and exclusive neighborhoods of the city, like Calacoto, La Florida and Achumani, among others. It has been benefited from steady economic growth and is now the second commercial and financial center of the city, housing international firms like Moody's, Citibank, Aon Corporation, Huawei, Millicom International Cellular, Nissan Motor Corporation represented by Taiyo Motors, Pan American Silver Corporation, a Sumitomo Corporation branch, Ernst & Young, and the "MegaCenter", Bolivia's biggest shopping mall (52.000 mts2 of construction).

Climate[link]

La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate (Cwc with areas of ETw, according to the Köppen climate classification) with subpolar oceanic characteristics (the average temperature of the warmest month is lower than 10 °C). Some parts of the city, such as the place where the statistics below were taken, have an alpine or tundra climate with a winter dry season. The whole city has humid summers, dry winters and cool to chilly temperatures throughout the year.

Owing to the altitude of the city, temperatures are consistently cool throughout the year, though the diurnal temperature variation is typically large. The city has a relatively dry climate, with rainfall occurring mainly in the slightly warmer months of November to March.

The two cloudiest months of the year; both in late summer - February and March, both receive a low daily average of 5.0 hours of sunshine. Conversely, the two sunniest months of the year; both in winter - June and July, both receive an abundant daily average of 9.0 hours of sunshine.

The seasonally uneven distribution of the year's annual precipitation, often results in destructive mudslides experienced in summer, due to the copious amount of precipitation typically observed throughout the season. The wettest month is January while the driest month is June, the city receiving a monthly average of 130 mm (5.1 in) and 5 mm (0.2 in) of precipitation respectively.

Colonial Architecture[link]

The city of La Paz has a consistently decreasing volume of colonial buildings, mostly centered around the vicinity of the Plaza Murillo. Due to a lack of funds and the inability of property owners to pay for restorations to colonial buildings, many have been torn down, or are in a dilapidated state. As historic buildings are more expensive to keep, land owners find it less of a burden to construct more modern buildings as opposed to keeping the old ones. Although there has been an increasing number of projects and propositions to restore some of the city's colonial buildings, the future of these historic edifices remains unfortunate.

Economy[link]

Central Bank building.

The economy of La Paz has improved greatly in recent years, mainly as a result of improved political leaders. Due to the long period of high inflation and economic struggle faced by Bolivians in the 1980s and early 1990s, a large Informal Economy developed. Evidence of this is provided by the markets found all around the city. While there are stable markets, almost every street in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods has at least one vendor on it. La Paz remains the principal center of manufacturing enterprises that produce finished-product goods for the country, with about two-thirds of Bolivia's manufacturing located nearby. Historically, industry in Bolivia has been dominated by mineral processing and the preparation of agricultural products. However, in the urban centre of La Paz, small plants carry out a large portion of the industry. Food, tobacco products, clothing, various consumer goods, building materials, and agricultural tools are produced. "The tin quotations from London are watched in La Paz with close interest as an index of the country's prosperity; a third of the national revenue and more than half of the total customs in 1925 were derived from tin; in short, that humble but indispensable metal is the hub around which Bolivia's economic life revolves. The tin deposits of Bolivia, second largest in the world, ... invite development."

Sports[link]

La Paz is the home of some of the biggest football teams in Bolivia.

• Club Bolivar. Founded in 1925, it was named in honor of the Libertador Simón Bolívar, the team has won most of the tournaments national and international championships in the last 20 years. In the year 1964 was a bad year, and it lost the category, playing the next year in the second category.
• The Strongest. Founded in 1908 and hosts some of its games and trains on its home stadium. Is the oldest team, and the one that has won more tournaments during the 20th century. It has its own stadium named Rafael Mendoza. Don Rafael Mendoza was one of the most important presidents. In 1968 an airplane accident took the life of almost all the players, but Rafael Mendoza made many efforts so that the team rises again as one of the most important of the country.
• La Paz F.C.

However, these three teams play the majority of their games in the city stadium, Estadio Hernando Siles. It is host to several other teams that play in the first and second divisions such as: Mariscal Braun (2nd), Always Ready (3rd), Municipal (3rd) and Chaco Petrolero (3rd).

La Paz hosts the national football team and international games.

Education[link]

The city hosts some of the most important universities of the country:

• Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. Opened in 1830, the second oldest university in Bolivia.
• Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo
• Escuela Militar de Ingeniería
• Universidad Privada Boliviana
• Universidad Nuestra Señora de La Paz
• Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo
• Universidad Privada San Francisco de Asis
• Universidad Loyola
• Universidad NUR
• Universidad La Salle
• Universidad Tecnológica Boliviana
• Universidad Privada del Valle
• Universidad Central de Bolivia
• Universidad Salesiana de Bolivia
• Universidad de Aquino Bolivia
• Universidad Adventista de Bolivia
• Universidad Saint Paul
• Universidad Real
• Universidad de Los Andes
• Fundación Infocal La Paz
• Escuela Normal Superior Simón Bolívar
• Escuela Industrial Superior "Pedro Domingo Murillo"

Tourism[link]

Tiwanaku Square in front of the football stadium

La Paz is an important cultural center of Bolivia. The city hosts several cathedrals belonging to the colonial times, such as the San Francisco Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral, this last one located on Murillo Square, which is also home of the political and administrative power of the country. Hundreds of different museums can be found across the city, the most notable ones on Jaén Street, which street design has been preserved from the Spanish days and is home of 10 different museums.

The home of the Bolivian government is located on Murillo Square and is known as "Palacio Quemado" (Burnt Palace) as it has been on fire several times. The palace has been restored many times since, but the name has remained untouched.

Main sights[link]

Museums and cultural centers[link]

• The former home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, martyr of the independence revolution of 1809, has been preserved and is now a museum. The house displays a collection of furniture, textiles, and art from colonial times.
• Museo Costumbrista: Displays ceramic dolls wearing traditional customs that show how was life in the early 19th century. Also on display are photos of old La Paz.
• Museo Nacional de Arqueología (Nacional Museum of Archeology): Depicts a collection of artifacts of the Tiawanaku culture.
• Museo del Litoral (Museum of the Coastal Region): Displays objects from the 1879 war in which Bolivia lost its sea coast to Chile.
• Museo del Oro (Gold Museum): Depicts pre-Conquest works made of gold, silver and copper.
• Museo de Etnografía y Folklore (Ethnography and Folkolore Museum): Placed in a house built in the late 18th century, it exhibits customs and art of two ethnic groups: Chipayas and Ayoreos.
• Museo del Charango (Museum of Charango): Located in Calle Linares, the museum displays an incredible variety of charangos. Other native instruments are displayed as well.
• Museo de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum): Exhibits on Bolivia's paleontology, geology, paleontology, zoology, and botany.
• Casa Museo Marina Nuñez del Prado (Marina Nuñez del Prado House Museum): Displays Quechua and Aymara-theme sculptures by Bolivian artist Marina Nuñez del Prado.
• Museo Nacional de Arte (National Art Museum): Located in calle Comercio, on a former palace built in 1775, displays works by Melchor Perez de Holguín and Marina Nuñez del Prado, among others.
• Mercado de Brujas (Witches' Market): Merchandise sold here includes herbs, remedies as well as other ingredients used in Aymara traditions.
• Feria de Alasitas: This fair is celebrated each year on January 24 in honor of a little god of abundance known as Ekeko, which means dwarf in Aymara.

Churches and cathedrals[link]

• Metropolitan Cathedral, built in 1835 and located next to the Presidential Palace, on Murillo Square;
• San Francisco Church, founded in 1548 and rebuilt 1784.

Others[link]

• Bolivian Presidential Palace, also known as "Burned Palace".
• Parque Urbano Central (Central Urban Park)

Local festivities[link]

• January 24: Alasita is a yearly fair where people usually buy miniature goods and groceries and praise the Ekeko, the andean god of abundance, in order to attract good luck for the rest of the year. Its name is the Aimaran word for "buy what I am selling". The fair begins every January 24 and lasts for approximately three weeks.
• February 2: Virgen de Copacabana, (Villa Copacabana)
• May 1: San José Obrero (V. Nuevo Potosí)
• May 3: Señor de la Santa Cruz (Calvario, Tacagua, Calacoto)
• May 13: Virgen de Fátima (Villa Fátima)
• May 14: San Isidro, Labrador (San Isidro)
• May 17: Señor de la Sentencia (Villa Armonía)
• May: Jesus, Señor del Gran Poder (movible, Gran Poder)
• June 13: San Antonio de Padua (San Antonio)
• June 24: San Juan Bautista (Valle Hermoso, San Juan)
• June 29: San Pedro Apóstol (San Pedro)
• July 16: Virgen del Carmen, Patroness of Bolivia and the Armed Forces of the Nation Efemerides of La Paz
• July 25: Apóstol Santiago (Munaypata, Pampahasi, Pasankeri, Periférica, Alto Delicias)
• August 15: Virgen de Urqupiña (Urkupiña)
• August 15: Virgen de la Asunción (Villa Victoria)
• September 8: Virgen de las Nieves (V. Copacabana, M. Paredes, La Portada, Achachicala, Alto Irpavi, Cotahuma, Las Nieves)
• September 8: Virgen de los Remedios (Miraflores)
• September 14: Señor de la Exaltación (Obrajes, G. de Lima, Bajo Tejar, Vino Tinto)
• September 24: Virgen de la Merced (Cota Cota)
• October 7: Virgen del Rosario (El Rosario)
• November: Cristo Rey (Pura Pura)
• December 4: Santa Barbara (Santa Bárbara, Llojeta)
• December 8: Virgen de la Concepción (Kupini, Sopocachi, Achumani)

Transportation[link]

Airport[link]

New Look of El Alto International Airport

Waiting area in El Alto International Airport for domestic flights.

La Paz is served by El Alto International Airport (IATA code: LPB), which is situated eight miles (14 km) south-west of La Paz. At an elevation of 4,061 metres (13,323 ft), it is one of the highest major airports in the world. Airport facilities include a bank, bars, car rentals, restaurants, free wi-fi internet and duty-free shops. The runway has a length of 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) (or 2.5 miles). Additionally, it is the second airport in the Western Hemisphere, and the third airport in the world, to successfully pass the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Universal Security Audit Program (USAP).

Buses[link]

Bus Station

La Paz Bus Station, previously bus and train station, was built by the French architect Gustave Eiffel. The main gateway for transporting intercities bus travel in La Paz with several daily departs to all the main Bolivian cities. Bus Terminal in La Paz is the main city bus station. The city is connected by road with the city of Oruro where you can access the cities of Sucre, Potosí and south of the country. There is an important road that connects the road to Oruro in the cities of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. There are also access roads to paviementados Copacabana and Tiwanaku to the west, near the Lake Titicaca, which continues until the city of Cuzco via the border town of Desaguadero. There are also roads north to get to The Yungas crossing the Andes Mountains.

The bus terminal has daily departures to major cities. There are also trips to other cities in countries like Chile and Peru. For departures to smaller cities and towns within the department, using informal stations located in Villa Fatima (departures to Los Yungas, Beni and Pando, Upper San Pedro (outputs Apolo) and near the General Cemetery (outputs Copacabana and other nearby cities to Lake Titicaca, and also Tiwanacu, Desaguadero where you can go to Peru).

Communication[link]

• The postal service is run by ECOBOL (National Company) which has its headquarters in La Paz. There are other companies offering courier and transport logistics courier nationally and internationally.

• The private telecommunications company 'Entel' is located in the city and provides telephony, Internet, cell phone, data and voice services. The telephone cooperative Cotel is responsible for managing much of their phones and now offers Internet services and cable television among others.

• Area Code: 2
• Country Code: 591

• The main daily newspapers in circulation are: 'La Razon, 'El Diario, 'La Prensa, 'Jornada and 'El Alteño' . Other papers of local importance are: Extra and PEOPLE. There are also several other publications and weekly magazines.

• There are 18 television channels with offices in La Paz. Channel 7 is state property. The main ones are: Unitel, ATB Bolivia, Red Uno, Bolivision, Red PAT. Channel 13 is managed by the Universidad Mayor de San Andres. Two local companies offer cable television service as Multivision and Cotel TV.

International relations[link]

Twin towns – sister cities[link]

La Paz is part of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities^[14] from October 12, 1982 establishing brotherly relations with the following cities:

Additionally, agreement was reached by Twin Cities with:

In June 2008 it signed a twinning agreement with the City of Zaragoza, Spain.

La Paz belongs to Merco Ciudades, signed by 180 urbes of the member countries of Mercosur,^[18] since 1999.

Gallery[link]

• 

  Plaza Murillo with Government and Legislative Palaces in the background

• 

  Titicaca Lake near La Paz with the Andes in the background

• 

  Calle Jaén.

• 

  San Francisco Church.

• 

  Metropolitan Cathedral.

• 

  Downtown La Paz view.

Curiosities[link]

• La Paz is the highest capital city in the world.
• El Alto International Airport is the highest international airport in the world (13,325 feet above mean sea level). Passengers notice the drop in pressure when the aircraft doors are opened.
• Water boils in La Paz at 88 °C (190 °F).
• La Paz has the highest recognized olympic stadium. FIFA issued a rule forbidding the organisation of official matches in stadiums with an altitude of more than 2,500 metres because players become more exhausted with less oxygen, but excluded La Paz's Hernando Siles stadium from that regulation.
• La Paz bus station was built by Gustav Eiffel who also built the Eiffel Tower.

See also[link]

• Paceña
• San Pedro prison

References[link]

External links[link]

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• Bolivia Weekly
• La Paz Walking Tours

v t e La Paz Department Capital: La Paz Provinces Abel Iturralde Aroma Bautista Saavedra Caranavi Camacho Franz Tamayo Gualberto Villarroel Ingavi Inquisivi José Manuel Pando Larecaja Loayza Los Andes Manco Kapac Murillo Muñecas Nor Yungas Omasuyos Pacajes Sud Yungas Municipalities (and seats) Achacachi (Achacachi) Achocalla (Achocalla) Alto Beni (Caserío Nueve) Ancoraimes (Ancoraimes) Apolo (Apolo) Aucapata (Aucapata) Ayata (Ayata) Ayo Ayo (Ayo Ayo) Batallas (Batallas) Cairoma (Cairoma) Cajuata (Cajuata) Calacoto (Calacoto) Calamarca (Calamarca) Caquiaviri (Caquiaviri) Caranavi (Caranavi) Catacora (Catacora) Chacarilla (Chacarilla) Charaña (Charaña) Chulumani (Chulumani) Chuma (Chuma) Collana (Collana) Colquencha (Colquencha) Colquiri (Colquiri) Comanche (Comanche) Combaya (Combaya) Copacabana (Copacabana) Coripata (Coripata) Coro Coro (Coro Coro) Coroico (Coroico) Curva (Curva) Desaguadero (Desaguadero) El Alto (El Alto) Escoma (Escoma) General Juan José Pérez (Charazani) Guanay (Guanay) Guaqui (Guaqui) Huarina (Huarina) Ichoca (Ichoca) Inquisivi (Inquisivi) Irupana (Irupana) Ixiamas (Ixiamas) Jesús de Machaca (Jesús de Machaca) La Asunta (La Asunta) La Paz (La Paz) Laja (Laja) Licoma Pampa (Licoma) Luribay (Luribay) Malla (Malla) Mapiri (Mapiri) Mecapaca (Mecapaca) Mocomoco (Mocomoco) Nazacara de Pacajes (Nazacara) Palca (Palca) Palos Blancos (Palos Blancos) Papel Pampa (Papel Pampa) Patacamaya (Patacamaya) Pelechuco (Pelechuco) Pucarani (Pucarani) Puerto Acosta (Puerto Acosta) Puerto Carabuco (Puerto Carabuco) Puerto Pérez (Puerto Perez) Quiabaya (Quiabaya) Quime (Quime) San Andrés de Machaca (San Andrés de Machaca) San Buenaventura (San Buenaventura) San Pedro de Curahuara (San Pedro de Curahuara de Carangas) San Pedro de Tiquina (San Pedro de Tiquina) Santiago de Callapa (Callapa) Santiago de Huata (Santiago de Huata) Santiago de Machaca (Santiago de Machaca) Sapahaqui (Sapahaqui) Sica Sica (Sica Sica) Sorata (Sorata) Tacacoma (Tacacoma) Taraco (Taraco) Teoponte (Teoponte) Tiwanaku (Tiwanaku) Tipuani (Tipuani) Tito Yupanqui (Tito Yupanqui) Umala (Umala) Umanata (Umanata) Viacha (Viacha) Waldo Ballivián (Tumarapi) Yaco (Yaco) Yanacachi (Yanacachi) Mountains Alpamayo Chico Condoriri Anallajsi Ancohuma Chachacomani Chacaltaya Illampu Illimani Huayna Potosí Mururata Protected areas Apolobamba Cotapata Madidi Pilón Lajas

La Coka Nostra (short LCN) is an American hip hop supergroup composed of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, Ill Bill and Slaine.

Biography[link]

Founded in late 2005 with no intention to record an album, La Coka Nostra was more a loose collective of artists connected through Danny Boy than a group. Having taken time off from rap after the break-up of House of Pain, Danny Boy took to working in video production and fashion as well as mentoring other artists. He met Slaine in Boston and, impressed with his writing, brought him to L.A. to record some tracks. Eventually it turned into more of a group effort including the former members of House of Pain and Ill Bill, as well as associates from Psycho Realm, Special Teamz and others.^[1] It was not until early 2006 that the current line up solidified, plans to release an album were first voiced later the same year.^[2]

In late 2008 the group signed to Suburban Noize Records and released the long delayed debut album A Brand You Can Trust on July 14, 2009. The album took so long to complete due to Danny Boy's refusal to have the members collaborate via e-mail; instead, he would gather everyone at the studio.^[1] This took time due to the recording of Ill Bill and Everlast's solo albums as well as various tours and other commitments. A Brand You Can Trust features 15 tracks and guest spots from Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Sick Jacken, B-Real, Sen Dog, Immortal Technique, Big Left and Q-Unique. Though similar stylistically to the group's prior online releases, it features songs grounded more in reality. Some subjects touched upon include politics, death, drug addiction, raising a child and terrorism.^[2] It has been stated by Slaine that the group is working on their second full length release and that it is set to come out on July 10, 2012.^{[citation needed]}

On March 2, 2012, it was announced that Everlast would be leaving La Coka Nostra due to his daughter's medical issues.

Members[link]

• Ill Bill (ex-Non Phixion MC)
• Slaine (current Special Teamz MC)
• DJ Lethal (Current House of Pain and Limp Bizkit DJ/producer)
• Danny Boy (House of Pain hype man)

Discography[link]

Albums and EPs[link]

• 2007 - The LCN Familia
• 2009 - 100% Pure Coka (Digital EP)
• 2009 - A Brand You Can Trust
• 2012 - Masters of the Dark Arts^[3] (July 10, 2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• 2009 - The Height Of Power
• 2009 - The Audacity of Coke
• 2012 - The Maple Leaf Massacre

Appearances on other albums[link]

• 2006 - "Fuck Tony Montana" (DJ Mek Remix) featuring Big Left
• 2006 - "Get Outta My Way" (DJ Mek Remix) featuring B-Real of Cypress Hill & Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm
• 2006 - "This Is War" featuring Big Left Ill Bill Is The Future Vol. 2
• 2006 - "It's A Beautiful Thing" Ill Bill Is The Future Vol. 2
• 2007 - "Where Hope Goes To Die" Black Metal
• 2007 - "Soldiers Of Fortune" (produced by Sicknature) Black Metal
• 2007 - "Get Outta My Way" featuring Big Left * Black Metal
• 2009 - "Do It" (produced by DJ Solo) Soul Assassins: Intermission
• 2009 - "Hey Young World Featuring La Coka Nostra & Heltah Skeltah" The Trojan Horse
• 2010 - "Skull & Guns" featuring Slaine & Everlast - DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill: Kill Devil Hills

References[link]

External links[link]

• La Coka Nostra on Myspace
• lacokanostra.com
• Suburban Noize Records page
• "A Brand You Can Trust" album details

Vincenzo Luvineri (born August 19, 1978), better known as Vinnie Paz (formerly known as Ikon the Verbal Hologram), is an Italian-American rapper and the lyricist behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs.

Biography[link]

Originally taking the pseudonym of Ikon the Verbal Hologram, he later changed his name to Vinnie Paz, after the Rhode Island boxer Vinny Pazienza. Paz originally started rapping with fellow Jedi Mind Tricks member Stoupe in his basement. Paz is known for his raw and gritty lyrical delivery. He is also known for his extensive use of studio punch-ins, seldom recording a verse in one take. His lyrics frequently contain references to religion, war, politics, mythology, conspiracy theories, and the paranormal. His more recent albums such as Servants in Heaven Kings in Hell show a more obvious approach to politics and world issues. This gritty style of Paz became apparent with the release of Violent by Design, and has become progressively more defined since its release. Vinnie Paz has a number of aliases, including Louie Doggs, Vinnie P, The Pazmanian Devil, Pazienza, Frank Vinatra, Vin Jong Ill, Rumplestiltsvin, Muhammad Al Vinejahd, and Vin Laden. Raised Catholic, Vinnie Paz is now a Muslim, which plays a major role in much of his lyrics.^[1] Vinnie is also a heavy metal fan, and occasionally uses song titles and band names in JMT tracks and lyrics.

Army of the Pharaohs[link]

Paz formed Army of the Pharaohs, an underground East Coast hip hop group featuring himself, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild (Outerspace), King Syze, Faez One, Jus Allah, Doap Nixon, Reef the Lost Cauze, Demoz, Block Mccloud, and Des Devious, although not every artist is on every track.

Solo Albums[link]

Vinnie released his debut solo album Season of the Assassin on June 21, 2010, which peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard rap charts. The album featured guest appearances from Paul Wall, Ill Bill, Clipse among others.

Vinnie is currently working on his sophomore solo album God of the Serengeti, which is set to feature production from DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Da Beatminerz, The Beatnuts, C-Lance, among others.^[2][3]

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• Season of the Assassin (2010)
• God of the Serengeti (2012)^[4]

Collaboration albums[link]

• Heavy Metal Kings (2011) (with Ill Bill)
• Heavy Metal Kings vs. DJ Muggs (2012) (with Ill Bill & DJ Muggs)^[5]
• Heavy Metal Kings 2 (TBA) (with Ill Bill)

Mixtapes and EPs[link]

• Pazmanian Devil (2005)
• The Sound and the Fury (2006)
• Before the Assassin (2010)
• Prayer for The Assassin (2010)
• The Priest of Bloodshed (2012)

Jedi Mind Tricks[link]

Army of the Pharaohs[link]

References[link]

1. ^ Gloss, Jason. Philly should have been its own state. Philaflava. Accessed June 13, 2008.
2. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14931/title.vinnie-paz-taps-dj-premier-alchemist-for-sophomore-lp
3. ^ http://www.411mania.com/music/columns/207398/411-Music-Interview:-Jedi-Mind-Tricks.htm
4. ^ http://www.hiphopug.com/1/post/2011/11/hhug-interviews-c-lance-violence-begets-violence.html
5. ^ http://www.hiphopug.com/1/post/2011/11/hhug-interviews-c-lance-violence-begets-violence.html

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vinnie Paz

• Vinnie Paz official website
• Interview with Vinnie Paz in the Vermont Cynic
• Jedi Mind Tricks' official website

Lila Downs
June 2007. Luminato - Masters of World Music
Background information
Birth name	Ana Lila Downs Sánchez
Born	(1968-09-19) September 19, 1968 (age 43)
Origin	Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Genres	World music
Instruments	Voice, guitar
Years active	1992–present
Website	liladowns.com

Ana Lila Downs Sánchez best known as Lila Downs (born in September 19, 1968) is a Mexican singer-songwriter. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into Mexican traditional and popular music. She also incorporates indigenous mexican influences and has recorded songs in indigenous languages such as mixtec, zapotec, maya, nahuatl and p'urhépecha.

Her debut album, La Sandunga, was released in 1999 and she achieved international success in 2001 with the album Border who emerged in the music scene of Mexico and Latin America in the early 2000s (decade) decade. Lila began performing in school, demonstrating her vocal ability with traditional music, Latin and American influences with her own original twist on dancing. Downs is a native spanish speaker and also speaks fluent english and mixtec.^[1][2]

Biography[link]

Lila Downs was born September 19, 1968 in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico, the daughter of Anita Sanchez, a Mixtec cabaret singer and Allen Downs, a British-American professor of art and cinematographer from Minnesota. From an early age Lila showed interest in music; at the age of eight she began singing rancheras and other traditional Mexican songs.^[3] She began her professional career singing with mariachis. At fourteen she moved to the United States with her parents. She studied voice in Los Angeles and learned the English language, which her father helped her to perfect. When she was 16, her father died and afterward she decided to return to her native Tlaxiaco with her mother.

One day while she was working in a store in the Mixtec mountains a man came in to ask her to translate his son's death certificate. She read that he had drowned trying to cross the border into the United States. This deeply affected her and has continued to influence her work. She talked about this in an NPR interview about her 2001 release entitled Border.^[4]

Although today Downs is proud of her origins there was a time when she felt shame regarding her Native American roots. "I was embarrassed to have Indian blood. I was embarrassed that my mother spoke her language in public." This lead her on a path to find herself, which included dropping out of college, dying her hair blonde and following the band, The Grateful Dead. After some time Downs found herself back in Oaxaca working at her mother's auto parts store where she met her future husband and musical collaborator, Paul Cohen.^[5]

Downs studied Anthropology at the University of Minnesota and voice in New York. Later she attended the Institute of Science and Arts of Oaxaca to complete her studies.

At 25 after completing academic and music studies Lila decided to return to Tlaxiaco. Paul Cohen always encouraged her musical venture and joined a group percussion called Yodoyuxi's Cadets. Because Paul Cohen had business in the United States she began to live in both Minnesota and Oaxaca.^[6]

During her stay in Minnesota, Downs formed a group called La Trova Serrana which achieved great popularity among the Latin public within the United States, singing songs about the Zapotec and values and culture. Upon her return to Mexico she started singing in bars, restaurants and clubs in the City of Oaxaca, Philadelphia and California in United States, always with the support of saxophonist U.S. Paul Cohen getting much positive critical review, and led to her decision to undertake an extensive tour of Mexico.^[7]

Career[link]

1994-1996: First albums[link]

In 1994 Lila Downs made her first album recorded independently entitled Ofrenda the songs included in this material is a collection of items traditionals by Oaxaca and mexicans. This album also contains songs written by singer from the beginning with lyrics sung in Spanish mixtec and zapotec are languages native of Oaxaca, the material was carried out independently and with the support of the Oaxacan Cultures Institute.^[8] Because this album was not only promoted commercial success in LP and cassette, never released a version in CD.

In 1996 Downs recorded at the album sound in a live session of a renowned cafe-bar of the City of Oaxaca, on this record Lila was accompanied by a set of well-known musicians who supported and helped in its interpretation of traditional themes as well as country music and parts of jazz.^[9] Lila Downs With this work became known in different parts of the Republic of Mexico and was their first album was released in CD but had a big impact and was directly promoted in presentations, published only a small number of copies so that this material is now discontinued and although not physically part of the official discography of Lila Downs is available at digital format.

1997-1999: La Sandunga[link]

In 1997 Lila Downs made her second label material of study prior to his international career, the performance of this material as a model before items to be included in later albums such as La Sandunga, Tree of Life and Border.^[10] It made an extensive compilation of items of repertoire traditional but like Mexicanwith its albums previous boom had no commercial or spread massively so this disc is currently out of print.

It was not until 1999 Downs sign with the label Narada Productions have achieved commercial success and made known to internationally with the album La Sandunga (recorded at year earlier), this material came to the fore within the Mexican music and this drive was one of the first traditional music that merged sounds and modern rhythms as jazz, blues and bolero. The album is played in Spanish and mixtec and was produced by Lila Downs and Paul Cohen with the support of Xquenda Cultural Association.^[11] Because of this work Lila participated in the sound track of the mexican film Green Stones and achieved great popularity in countries such as Mexico United States, Spain, France, England and Germany selling over 500,000 units worldwide.

1999-2000: Tree of Life/Yutu Tata[link]

Lila Downs in Oaxaca in 2006

Lila's preparing next album, Tree of Life, was released in 2000, with this album the fame of Downs continue to spread to other markets and countries such as England, Switzerland, Canada and especially the United States. This work found Downs turning to her indigenous past and the album features pre-Hispanic sounds and instruments. Several of the songs on the album are sung in native mexican languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec and Nahuatl. In October 2000 she began a two month tour called the Tree of Life/Árbol de la vida which included concerts in Latin America, Europe and the USA. The tour began in Mexico and ended in Spain.

2001-2003: Border/La Linea[link]

Border, released by EMI music in 2001, was the first album by Downs to feature songs sung in english language. The album was released simultaneously in the United States and Mexico. With this album Downs merged sounds from different genres such as traditional folk music, hip hop, rock and chilena. It included fifteen songs, eleven of which are in Spanish, three in english and one in Mayan. The album received generally good reviews and placed seventh in "Top charts" of world music.^[12] It also stirred up controversy due to its frank discussion of immigration, Native American marginalization and the Acteal massacre.^[13] Downs was criticized by various organizations, especially politicians and the church.^[14]

The album's first single was released in Mexico, "Mi corazón me recuerda" a poem by Chiapas poet Jaime Sabines set to music achieved moderate success on the Mexican music charts. In Spain the song "La Llorona" was released and in France the song "Corazoncito Tirano" was released as a single. In the United States the song "Medley: Pastures of Plenty/This Land Is Your Land/Land" was released.^[15] The latter incorporates two Woody Guthrie songs, "Pastures of Plenty" and "This Land is Your Land" as well as original lyrics by Downs, "Land".

2004-2006: Una Sangre/One Blood[link]

One Blood, one of Lila Downs' most successful albums, was released in April 2004 simultaneously in the United States, Spain, and Mexico. The lyrics on this album are about migration, discrimination and the case of Mexican human rights defender Digna Ochoa.^[16] In addition to traditional songs such as "La Bamba," "Viborita," and "La Cucaracha," the album includes genres such as son jarocho, jazz, rock and folk. This album contains thirteen tracks of which three are in English, one in Triqui, one in Purepecha and eight in Spanish. Lyrics were authored by Lila Downs, Paul Cohen, Celso Duarte and Jose Martí. Lila Downs received in 2005 the Grammy Latino in the category of "Best Album of World Music" for this album^[17] and reached the top of the charts in United States, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and France.^[18]

2006-2008: La Cantina, entre copa y copa…[link]

Lila Downs took approximately one and a half to prepare this project came to light on April 2006. This CD draws on Mexican ranchero songs and runs merging sounds as pop, rock, northern, cumbia and hip-hop. This CD contains fifteen tracks of which twelve are the three traditional Mexican repertoire are authored by Lila Downs and includes a version in English of "La cumbia del mole" song that gave fame to Downs and to date is the letter of the artist.^[19]

The most successful theme of this album was "La cumbia del mole", this song refers to the preparation of this mexican dish and tradition by Oaxaca, this simple managed to position itself among the top of the charts in Mexico, United States, Canada and United Kingdom.^[20]

Downs in 2007 published a CD with more success in Spanish to date, containing songs from their previous album La Sandunga, Tree of Life, Border/The Line, One Blood and La Cantina It was entitled simply The Very Best of Lila Downs; was accompanied with a DVD containing thirteen tracks recorded live at a concert in Madrid, Spain.^[21]

2008-2009: Shake Away/Ojo de Culebra[link]

Two years after the release of La Cantina, Lila launched Ojo de Culebra during the month of September 2008 in Europe, North America, Australia and Latin America. The album reached sixth place in sales in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain and several Latin American countries. The first single is titled "Ojo de Culebra" that was attended by singer spanish singer La Mari by group of flamenco Chambao. The song is a merger of rock cumbia and flamenco with some influences of reggae.^[22] This song was the first places in the charts of world music in several countries^[23] The second single was "Perro Negro" a merger of rock with ska that was not so international presence as its predecessor, this song with the participation of Rubén Albarrán singer of the mexican rock band Café Tacuba.^[24] "Little man" (released in the U.S. alone) and "Justice" would become the next two singles, the latter with the participation of the spanish singer Enrique Bunbury also participated in this album Raul Midon, Gilberto Gutierrez and Mercedes Sosa.

The single "Black magic woman" achieved moderate success in Europe, United States and Canada, later pitched for the British market the single "Silent Thunder" which was well accepted by the public. In October 2009 placed the imprint of Lila Downs on the outskirts of the birthplace in his hometown Tlaxiaco, Mexico, also was awarded the keys the city for its work of media of Mixtec and as one of the greatest personalities who were born there.^[25]

2010-present: Lila Downs y la Misteriosa, Pecados y Milagros[link]

"Lila Downs y la Misteriosa en Paris - Live à FIP" is the second live album by Downs, released on April 13, 2010 in Spain and France, the album was recorded in 2009 in Radio Francia estudio 105 in Paris, France. The album was released in May 2010 in the United States and in July in most other countries. It received positive feedback from critics. Lila Downs y la Misteriosa en Paris was released in Mexico with an edited version of the live concert on DVD and was number one in sales of Gender World Music for the music chain Mixup for three consecutive weeks.^[26] Although receiving little promotion the album has received moderate success on the Mexican charts. In a survey of the best albums of 2010 conducted by the Mexican television network Channel 22, this album was ranked number one.^[27]

Pecados y Milagros (Sins and Miracles) is the seventh studio album by mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs, released on October 18, 2011.^[28] The album cover was released on september 14, 2011.^[29]

The album debuted at number fifty two on the Billboard 200 becoming her fourth-highest peak on the chart. It also debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums Chart and stayed there for over 3 consecutive weeks. This album has sold over 60.000 copies in the US and over 290.000 copies worldwide.^[30][31] The album was recorded in the Mexico City, and New York. Downs describes the album musically as having "a strong rock side" along with "traditional" and "Latino" songs. Celso Duarte is one of several collaborators to appear on the album, featuring on the first single "Palomo del comalito".

Other collaborations are said to include songs with rappers Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Celso Piña and Totó la Momposina. Downs also announced that she is preparing an international tour, the Sins and Miracles Tour, which is expected to start in Mexico.^[32]

Audience members at a February 18, 2012 concert at New York City El Museo del Barrio^[33] were informed that the concert was being recorded by HBO.^[34]

Musical tours[link]

2005-2006: One Blood Tour[link]

Due to the success of One Blood and Border, between 2001 and 2004 was the One Blood Tour with Lila performed 30 international presentations.^[35] This tour was presented on three continents in countries having an impact in Europe and Asia as Philippines, Japan, China, Egypt and Afghanistan^[36] where Downs caused a sensation because it was the first time I ran these countries taking his music, which was well received by the public. In May 2007, Downs published a DVD collection as a document of that tour in a concert in Oaxaca and Mexico City; this DVD contained thirteen live tracks and a documentary as well as special features like interviews, short films by Allen Downs (Lila’s father) and videos.

2008-2009: Shake Away Tour[link]

Lila Downs performing during a concert in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2010.

In September 2008 started Ojo de Culebra World Tour, that took her to visit different countries on four continents, this being the most successful Mexican, who with his One Blood Tour visited 30 locations.^[37] In Latin America, Mexico was the country with the highest number of submissions (21 in total), the tour officially ended on October 30, 2009 giving a free concert in the Zocalo of Mexico City,^[38] followed by Colombia and Costa Rica, with three each.

Although not part of the tour, Lila Downs appeared in the Live Earth in Germany, where she played three songs, and in late 2008 had a share in the Harmony Festival that is held in the California in United States.^[39]

2010: Black Magic Woman Tour[link]

In March 2010, Lila Downs announced a world tour Black Magic Woman Tour which began in Buenos Aires, Argentina with three sold out shows.^[40] This tour was introduced in several countries in America Asia and Europe in several of which broke attendance records. The tour officially ended on November 17, 2010 in Square Dance by Oaxaca City where she had an audience of approximately seven thousand people, that within the framework of book fair in Oaxaca.^[41]

Acting[link]

Downs has had small parts in such films as Frida,Fados and Hasta el último trago corazón; the latter is a documentary on Mexican music involving various exponents of the genre. Currently, Downs is working on the composition and arrangements for the musical Como agua para chocolate, based on the book by Laura Esquivel, which will premiere at the Public Theater of New York and Broadway in late 2011 or early 2012. She will participate in the filming of the U.S. film "Mariachi Gringo" directed by Tom Gustafson , where she will work alongside Mexican actresses Adriana Barraza, Martha Higareda and canadian actor Shawn Ashmore, the film is expected to be released in early 2012.

Soundtracks[link]

In 2001, Downs was invited to participate in the soundtrack of the Mexican film Piedras Verdes where she performed "Cancion mixteca", in 2002 she participated in the soundtrack for the film Frida singing the song Burn It Blue which was nominated in the 75th edition of the Academy Awards in the category of Best original music which was the winner.^[42] Downs has also participated in other soundtracks for films such as Real Women Have Curves and Tortilla Soup. In the film by Carlos Saura, Fados (2007), she sings an unforgettable version of Foi na Travessa da Palha in Portuguese.^[43]

Personal life[link]

Since the beginning of her career she has been involved with Paul Cohen who is as a partner and her artistic director. There has been much speculation in the media about the couple's personal life and that the couple could not have children. She talked about some of these aspects of her life in NPR Interviews: Lila Downs Woos Fans with 'Shake Away'^[44] and Lila Downs' Cross-Border Musical Influences.^[45]

In June 2010, Downs announced on their web site that, after several years of trying to be parents, they had adopted a child, Benito Dxuladi.^[46] They currently reside in Coyoacán in Mexico City and Oaxaca although most of the time they spend traveling.

Social activism[link]

Downs has been a Social Activist throughout her entire career because she works to maintain a cultural identity in the eye of social distress. For example, she sings with passion, and admiration for her home in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her music draws out many socially significant issues, such as the mistreatment and misunderstanding of indigenous peoples of Oaxaca, by celebrating their Mixtec heritage through song.^[47] Her albums are socially significant, especially her album, One Blood, or Una Sangre, which includes songs such as La Digificada, which is a song about Dina Ochoa's assassination. She was a social activist, and Lila featured her story on her album One Blood.^[48] When asked if she is a politician, Lila expresses that she does not want to be a politician because she is not interested in power, instead she wants to support and change society through music.^[49] On Friday, October 9, 2009 Downs, along with actress Salma Hayek represented to Mexico in a broadcast worldwide campaign for the foundation One Drop, to preserve water, where they performed the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Shakira U2 Vice President Al Gore and other world-class personalities.

Contributions[link]

• In 2003 she was invited by the Twelve Girls Band concert in Shanghai, China where she sang in English and French.
• In 2005 collaborated with the galician band Luar Na Lubre on the album Saudade in the song "Domingo Ferreiro" performed in galician.
• In 2008 on the album No Tiene Fin of Los Cojolites in the song "La Herlinda" and has an interest in the topic "El Pescador" of the disk Sin Fecha de Caducidad by the Mexican singer Celso Piña.
• In 2009 participated in the basque singer's album Kepa Junkera performs "Haurtxo Polita" in euskera. Also for the album Cantora, Vol. 2 of the singer Mercedes Sosa, with the theme of "Razon de Vivir" That same year also works with the theme "El Llorar" for Mexican musician Ernesto Anaya for his album Huapangueando.
• In 2010 in the musical production of the Mexican singer-songwriter Benny Ibarra called The March of the Living has involvement with him singing a duet song "Calaveras", second single of this production.

Awards and recognition[link]

Throughout her career Downs has received several awards; they include the Latin Grammy, Academy Awards, Lunas del Auditorio, among others. She has recently unveiled her mark on the Walk of Fame located in the outskirts of Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City for her career. Some of her most successful songs include: "Tengo miedo de quererte", "Estrella oscura", "La línea", "La llorona", "La cumbia del mole" y "Ojo de culebra".

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Ofrenda (1994)
• Azulao: En vivo con Lila Downs (1996)
• La Sandunga (Narada 1999)
• Tree of Life (Yutu tata) (Narada 2000)
• Border (La Línea) (Narada 2001)
• One Blood(Una sangre) (Narada 2004)
• La Cantina (Narada 2006)
• The Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downs [CD] (EMI 2008)
• Shake Away (Ojo de Culebra) (Manhattan Records 2008)
• Lila Downs y La Misteriosa en Paris – Live a FIP [CD (Harmonia Mundi-Global Village Europe/USA; various labels worldwide), (CD + DVD EMI Mexico) (2010)]
• Pecados y Milagros (2011)

DVD[link]

• Lotería Cantada (2006)
• The Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downs [CD+DVD] (EMI 2008)

References[link]