Eloísa Angulo’s 101st Birthday

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Lima, Peru-based guest artist Lucía Coz, celebrates the 101st birthday of Peruvian Creole singer Eloísa Angulo, known by many as “Sovereign of the Creole Song.” A blend of Spanish, African, and native Andean influences, música criolla (Creole music) remains a vibrant symbol of the rich culture and heritage of coastal Peru, and Angulo is among the genre’s most treasured performers. 

Eloísa Angulo was born on this day in 1919 in Peru’s capital city of Lima. From the time she was a child, she wanted to become a singer, and she was even known to run away from school to participate in contests held by Lima radio stations in order to make her dreams a reality. 

In the early 1930s, Angulo burst onto the scene along with Margarita Cerdeña in the duo Las criollitas, which lasted some three decades. Dubbed “La criollita,” she became known for her beautiful and often humorous interpretations of songs like “Araña, ¿quién te arañó?” (“Spider, Who Scratched You?” 1972) and “El conejito” (“The Bunny,” 1972). 

In addition to marking Angulo’s birthday, October 31 is observed in Peru as Día de la canción criolla (Day of the Creole Song), an annual celebration of the timeless and uniquely Peruvian art form to which Angulo dedicated her life.  

Guest Artist Q&A with Lucía Coz

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Lima, Peru-based guest artist Lucía Coz. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? 

A: Because of música criolla. I think Peruvians, especially when we’re apart from our country, find comfort in this music and its lyrics. It’s sad yet hopeful music, filled with history and connected to family traditions and memories filled with food and dancing and singing. Personally, I remember my dad talking about it and playing it on cds and vinyl.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: I realized i didn't know that much about the history of música criolla and its golden years. It was and is currently a pretty big deal in Peru. I had heard Eloísa Angulo's music, but without knowing who she was. I also learned about “las cinco grandes de la música criolla” (which Eloísa is a part of): all women, all empowered, all amazingly talented.

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: My creative process included playing Eloísa’s music loudly all day at my studio! I paid attention to the lyrics, wrote down what I liked most, and drew her over and over while listening to her voice. I ended up with the vinyl record idea because of the ones we’d play at home when I was little and because I personally think this music was at its best when it was recorded on vinyl.

Q: What do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I hope people feel curious and go find more about her and the genre in general. I hope they learn more about why the 31st of October is el día de la canción criolla in Peru, who Eloísa was, and the amazing songs she performed.