Estrella

Born Estrella María Benzo Blas on March 23, 1985, in Seville, Spain, Estrella belongs to an emerging wave of flamenco vocalists intent on blending traditional cante with pop, soul, and rhythm and blues. Raised in a musical household—her mother performed alongside Lola Flores and her father works as a songwriter—she grew up surrounded by flamenco from her earliest years. In her late teens she committed to a professional career, appearing with local orchestras and supplying backing vocals for acts including Junior Míguez. Her distinctive, commanding voice soon drew the notice of Erik Nilsson, producer for Ketama, who proposed recording an album together. Nilsson handled the music and arrangements while Estrella supplied the melodies and lyrics. Her first album appeared in 2006 and earned strong critical praise. Two years later came Black Flamenco, a more assured follow-up whose title itself signaled her goal of merging African-American styles with Spanish flamenco.