The Queen of Reggaeton and Queen of Salsa’s performance of ‘La Vida Es Un Carnaval’ is just what the holidays need this year.
Happy December! It’s crazy to think we are already at the end of this wildly unpredictable year. For many, this year has been stressful and exhausting. As we enter this last month of 2020, let us all allow ourselves to take a breath, relax, and melt into the holiday cheer as we recharge for the new year. And what better way to do that then with a little music and nostalgia!
This holiday season, AARP is bringing the Latino community some uplifting cheer with a special re-release of the Ivy Queen-Celia Cruz virtual duet “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”.
The unprecedented duet was first announced back in August to be the centerpiece of the Miami-based Calle Ocho Live festival, which went virtual this year in October due to COVID-19.
Speaking to Billboard, Ivy Queen said, “Celia Cruz stands out for her powerful voice, talent, stage presence and eccentricities. I’m honored to sing one of her songs with Celia because she captivated me from the moment I first heard her incredible voice and she is synonymous with the highest values, sacrifices and empowerment music that gives all of us. ¡Viva Celia Cruz, the Queen!”
The epic duet, which can be viewed here “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” throughout the holidays, not only made history uniting the Queen of Reggaeton (Ivy Queen) with the Queen of Salsa (Celia) but also became the first and only music video for Celia’s lifetime No. 1 hit.
“We are proud to be part of this amazing initiative to support and bring joy to Latino families during this holiday season, while paying tribute to two of the most iconic Hispanic artists of all time,” said Yvette Peña, vice president of multicultural leadership at AARP. “Both Celia Cruz and Ivy Queen have broken glass ceilings throughout their careers and are an inspiration to people of all ages. As a committed ally of Latinos aged 50+ and their families, AARP proudly supports initiatives that positively impact and empower our community.”
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The highly-produced video is a co-production of the Kiwanis of Little Havana, RetroPop Media, and Atlantino, and was produced in association with the Celia Cruz Foundation. It features unreleased footage contributed by director Ernesto Fundora, who himself directed Celia Cruz’s other video hit “La Negra Tiene Tumbao.” All of the footage for ‘La Vida Es Un Carnaval’ comes from a 2002 commercial shoot Fundora shot with Celia in Veracruz, Mexico for Azúcar de Veracruz. Ivy Queen’s portion of the duet was shot in Miami and directed by CSP Media Group.
“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” was written by Victor Daniel, produced by Isidro Infante, arranged by Isidro Infante and released as the lead single from Cruz’s studio album Mi Vida Es Cantar (1998). The song won the award for Tropical Song of the Year at the 2003 Lo Nuestro Awards.
As an iconic and legendary tune, “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” is sure to spread much needed holiday cheer this season. Watch the stunning video here and let yourself relax into the music and celebrate this life.
