Mercedes Sosa, Argentine singer who was popular throughout Latin America

Mercedes Sosa music made people hail her as the "voice of the voiceless ones".

Haydée Mercedes Sosa sometimes known as La Negra was an Argentine singer who was popular throughout Latin America and many countries outside the region. Sosa core roots were Argentine folk music but she became one of the preeminent exponents of nueva canción. Sosa gave voice to songs written by many Latin American songwriters. Her music made people hail her as the "voice of the voiceless ones".

Sosa was born on 9 July 1935, in San Miguel de Tucumán, in the northwestern Argentine province of Tucumán, of mestizo ancestry. Her heritage deeply influenced her stylistically and by 15, she won a radio talent contest for her traditional folk music. A dramatic tipping point of her career happened on this day in 1965, when singer Jorge Cafrune invited Sosa on stage during his set at Argentina’s renowned Cosquín Folk Festival.

Sosa won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2000 ("Misa Criolla"), 2003 ("Acústico"), and 2006 ("Corazón Libre"), as well as many international awards. In 1995, Konex Foundation from Argentina granted her the Diamond Konex Award, one of the most prestigious awards in Argentina, as the most important personality in the Popular Music of her country in the last decade.

Sosa album Cantora 1 won two awards at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2009. She won Best Folk Album and was nominated for Album of the Year. The album was also awarded Best Recording Package. She continued to perform around the world and later became a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.

Sosa died from multiple organ failure on October 4, 2009, at 5:15 am.