Ely Guerra

In 1992 Ely Guerra, the Mexican singer-songwriter, launched her career at home with a self-titled album. After completing her studies at Washington’s Evergreen State College, the Latin alternative pop/rock direction of her work drew unfavorable notices. She therefore relocated to London to record the 1997 follow-up Pa' Morirse De Amor, which introduced her first hit single, “Angel De Fuego.” Time magazine further spotlighted her promise by placing her photograph beside Julieta Venegas on a cover that presented the pair as the brightest emerging voices in Mexican rock.

Before appearing with La Ley on their MTV Unplugged date—where she supplied vocals and guitar for “El Duelo,” captured in Miami on June 28, 2001—Ely Guerra had already contributed to the soundtracks of Amores Perros and Los Hijos de la Calle. Issued the next year, her third album Lotofire became her first release to reach international audiences.