Facebook / Paula D DeAnda
Paula DeAnda is no stranger to the Tejano music scene. The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame with her pop and R&B hits in the mid-2000s, has always been proud of her Mexican-American roots and has been influenced by elements of Tejano, cumbia, and Norteño in her music.
But the latest project from the San Angelo, Texas native, who now resides in Los Angeles, is something special. On October 21, 2023, DeAnda will perform at the 43rd Tejano Music Awards at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, where she will premiere two collaborations with the legendary band Tortilla Factory. The performance will mark a historic moment for both Paula and the band, as they celebrate their musical legacy and family ties.
The first collaboration is a duet of the Tortilla Factory classic hit, “Somos Novios” with late former lead singer Gilbert DeAnda, also known as Coyote, a first cousin of Paula. The song was recorded similarly to the 1990s hit duet of “Unforgettable” from Nat ‘King’ Cole and Natalie Cole, using Coyote’s original vocals and adding Paula’s voice to create a new version produced by multiple Grammy winner Gilbert Velasquez.
“His voice is so unique,” Paula tells Tejano Nation. “I’ve heard a lot of voices but I’ve never heard a voice like his. It was actually challenging in the studio trying to match his tone and how he delivers his vocals. I’m a pretty strong singer, so to say that, that’s a lot. I know he’d be proud of it.”
Facebook / Paula D DeAnda
The second collaboration is “Tus Ojos (I’m What You Need)”, an international cumbia written by Paula DeAnda, Alfredo Guerrero of Tortilla Factory, and Gabriel Zavala, who also produced the track. The song is a catchy and upbeat tune that showcases Paula’s vocal range and versatility, as well as Tortilla Factory’s signature groove.
“This song is a fusion of different styles and influences that reflect who we are as artists and as people. It’s a fun and danceable song that celebrates our culture and our love for music. We wanted to create something fresh and original that would appeal to different audiences and generations,” Paula says.
Both songs will be part of the highly anticipated 50th-anniversary album for Tortilla Factory, which will feature new material and collaborations with other artists. The album is expected to be released in early 2024.
Paula is excited and nervous about her performance at the Tejano Music Awards, where she hopes to honor her family and her fans.
“I’m very proud of these songs and I can’t wait to share them with the world. I hope they make people smile and dance. I also hope they inspire other young artists to follow their dreams and embrace their roots. Tejano music is a beautiful and rich genre that deserves more recognition and support. I’m honored to be part of it,” she says.
A music video for “Tus Ojos (I’m What You Need) will debut after the Tejano Music Awards performance.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast.