Mercedes Sosa born 9 July 1935 is an Argentine singer immensely popular throughout Latin America. With her roots in Argentine folk music, she became one of the preeminent exponents of nueva cancion. Sosa is greatly admired for the depth and beauty of her contralto voice. She is nicknamed "La Negra" by her fans for her long, jet-black hair. She is best known as the voice of the "voiceless ones"

Sosa was born in San Miguel de Tucuman, in the northwestern province of Argentina, of mestizo descent from French and Amerindian (Quechuan) ancestry. In 1950, at age fifteen, she won a singing competition organized by a local radio station and was given a contract to perform for two months.

Sosa and her first husband, Manuel Oscar Matus, with whom she has one son, were key players in the mid-60s nueva canci�n movement (which was called nuevo cancionero in Argentina). Her first record was Canciones con Fundamento, a collection of Argentine folk songs.

In 1967, Sosa toured with great success the United States and Europe. In subsequent years, she performed and recorded extensively, broadening her repertoire to include material from throughout Latin America.

In the early 1970s, Sosa released two concept albums in collaboration with composer Ariel Ramirez and lyricist Felix Luna: Cantata Sudamericana and Mujeres Argentinas (Argentine Women). She also recorded a tribute to Chilean poet Violeta Parra.

In the following years, Sosa continued to tour both in Argentina and abroad, performing in such venues as the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Mogador in Paris.

Sosa's repertoire continued to broaden, and she made recordings in various styles. She collaborated frequently with many musicians such as Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Lucio Dalla, Nana Mouskouri, Joan Baez, Andrea Bocelli, Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gal Costa, Gian Marco, Konstantin Wecker, Nilda Fernandez, Pata Negra, David Broza, Franco Battiato, Luz Casal, Ismael Serrano.

Sosa participated in a 2001 production of the Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez.

Sosa is UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Latin America and the Caribbean.She has won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2000 ("Misa Criolla"), 2003 ("Acustico") and 2006 ("Corazon Libre"), as well as many international awards.

Gracias Dios mio me diste de vuelta mi vida, desde hoy cada dia es digno de ser agradecido. Bendito seas por tu perdon y tu misericordia.

gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.

gracias!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!