Ana Tijoux

Favela Chic Review

This Mapuche-Hontas with understated beauty arrived on stage after 22:00 to what has to be said to a far smaller crowd that I had expected, where were all the Chilenos at? Don’t get me wrong there were Chilean’s there but I was expecting it to be rammed with patriotic support. Nevertheless Anita Tijoux grabbed the mike and started spitting out her rhymes with acclompished gusto and in between songs communicted with the audience in mainly English. She explained what some of her songs were about, and showed solidarity with the Chilean Students who have been protesting for a free education system. All part of the Occupy Global Movement which is happening all over this glorious planet. People every where are standing up against the recklessness and overwhelming greed of financial and banking institutions. Something which our own media outlets (UK) are failing to report on.

Ana Tijoux is only the 2nd Chilean and the 2nd Chilean woman to be nominated for a grammy award for her 2nd solo album, 1977.  Anita was born in France to parents who were exiled from Chile by the North American backed dictatorship that was, Augusto Pinochet. As a child to exiled parents myself who are of Argentine and Chilean descent, Ana Tijoux’s performance was a must see.

I first came across Ana when my brother bought a compilation album back home called “Latin Hop” and Ms Tijoux featured on a track called La Rosa de Los Vientos by Makiza. I still listen to the album and that track today.

 

 

 

 

For me the highlight of the evening apart from her performance was her story behind the track called 1977, in which she explains as a child she had wanted the monopoly board game so that she could play with her friends, her father instead bought Anita a game called “Anti Monopoly“. Although at the time she didn’t quite understand it’s significance, it stayed with her as a memory, as her greatest present,  good enough to have inspired her to write a track that has been given critical acclaim, and important enough to forge an intelligent socially aware performer.

 

 

 

 

 

Anita Tijoux | Favela Chic | YouTube

This was no X-Factor glorified Karaoke show, this guapa is the real deal, talented, intelligent, humble and beautiful. A real inspiration to Latino Women and women in general.

Next time I would hope to see more support from the Anglo/Chilean community for one of their own and for some one as talented as Ana Tijoux. For £5 entry there really was no excuse, thats less than what we would pay for a bottle of Casillero del Diablo which you can get for £6.99p – £7.99p.

A big round of applause for those Chileans that did make the journey, especially the girl that knew all the lyrics and Rapped along with as much convintion as Anita did. In a parallel universe it could have been her up on stage instead.

A big shout as well to Movimientos and the Como No crew for organising the gig.

A special thanks to Ana herself for a great evening and huge congratulation for being Grammy nominated for her album 1977, which cost only $400 to make! Aspiring musician’s everywhere, please take note!

Hasta la Proxima!

Written by

Alejandro Gatica

Discography

Vida Salvaje (Independent, 1998)

Aerolíneas Makiza (Sony, 1999)

Casino Royale (Bizarro, 2005)

Kaos (Oveja Negra, 2007)

1977 (Oveja Negra, 2009) (Nacional Records, 2010)

Elefant Mixtape (2011)[3]

 

Featured Collaborations

Subdemo – FDA

Uno, Dos Bandera – Control Machete

Roda Do Funk – Funk Como Le Gusta

Limón y Sal – Julieta Venegas

Freno de Mano – Los Tres

La Medicina – Los Tetas

Supervielle – Bajofondo Tango Club

Música Para Después del Almuerzo – Bitman & Roban

 

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