Courtesy of CHR Records
Hilda Lamas, the dynamic multi-genre vocalist and 2024 Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame inductee, is paying tribute to her late aunt — the iconic Mexican singer Dulce La Cantante — with her powerful new single, “Tu Muñeca.” The track, now available on all digital platforms, marks the beginning of a full tribute album honoring the musical legacy of her beloved tía
In a recent interview with iHeartMedia, Lamas opened up about the deeply personal inspiration behind “Tu Muñeca”, describing the song as a celebration of womanhood and resilience. “A lot of people in my generation and younger have probably never, ever heard some of her songs. And they’re amazing songs. They’re so empowering,” she said. “I didn’t really realize how strong of a woman she was and the message she conveyed in her songs until I really paid attention to the lyrics. And I was like, wow, what woman doesn’t relate to that?”
Lamas emphasized the importance of honoring her aunt’s legacy while representing her own bicultural identity. “I’m from Texas. Yes, I’m a Latina, I’m a proud Latina. My mom is from Mexico, Dulce is from Mexico,” she said. “So I wanted to combine the best of both worlds. That’s why it was important for me to do it Estilo Tejano, right? So we did the cumbia. This is so fitting because it has a little bit of the Mexican estilo, but it also has the Tejano. And so it’s a nice combination, a nice mix of the best of both worlds.”
Though they shared a bloodline and a love for music, a language barrier stood in the way of deeper collaboration during Dulce’s lifetime. “She spoke Spanish, I spoke English. We tried, we did the best that we could, but with that barrier, that really was a huge hindrance,” Lamas shared. “But for Tu Muñeca, I wanted to make sure that I represented that.”
Hilda Lamas with Dulce | Courtesy photo
The emotionally charged single is just the beginning. Lamas revealed she is currently working on a full homenaje album to her aunt. “We already have the second single. It’s almost done… and the next one, I think it’s gonna be a little balada. And then we do have some more cumbias coming. We’re gonna mix it up. It’s gonna be great.”
Lamas also reflected on her personal growth as an artist and how revisiting her aunt’s music has helped her embrace her own voice. “Growing up, because [my voice] is so thick and loud… I was always so uncomfortable. And it wasn’t until I really started diving into my tía Dulce’s music, I was like, man, she had a voice… powerful, raw. And I was like, now it makes sense.”
With renewed confidence and purpose, Lamas is moving forward with gratitude and excitement. “Music is fun for me. It’s a passion. It’s something that I could not envision my life being without. So every day I feel like I’m winning.”
“Tu Muñeca” is streaming now on all major platforms. The full tribute album from Hilda Lamas is expected to be released later this year.
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