Influential Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa dead at 74

Posted by Bryan Simpson on 10/04/09 • Categorized as South America

Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, known as “the voice of Latin America,” has died Sunday at age 74 due to kidney problems.

BBC News reports Sosa was known for supporting the poor and fighting for political change. The Associated Press adds that she recorded more than 70 albums, including three that won Latin Grammy Awards for the Best Folk album in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

After news of Sosa’s death was released, the city of Buenos Aires suspended all artistic activities on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Twitterers in Argentina and all over South America commented on the passing of their “voice,” including Colombia native Shakira:

shakira (Bahamas) Mercedes Sosa nos mostró que la canción puede ser una enseñanza – http://bit.ly/BJ9Rr – ShakiraHQ (Mercedes Sosa showed us that the song can be a teaching) 04 Oct 2009 from web

fercool4 (Asunción, Paraguay) mercedes sosa idolaaaaa….te extrañaremos!!!! (mercedes sosa idolaaaaa …. miss you!!)04 Oct 2009 from web

mikeila__ (Argentina) Mercedes Sosa R.I.P Argentina love u! peace and support for her family 04 Oct 2009 from web

teozambarda (Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil) Grande perda na música latina. Vai com Deus Mercedes Sosa (Great loss in Latin music. Go with God Mercedes Sosa) 04 Oct 2009 from web

oobsessed (Uruguay) Sé que Mercedes Sosa no fue de mi país, pero.. ella comenzó cantando aquí en Uruguay. Q.E.P.D! (Mercedes Sosa know that was not my country, but .. She first sang here in Uruguay. Q.E.P.D!)04 Oct 2009 from web

Unregaloparami (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Mercedes Sosa: La Cantora de todos: “Yo creo que no hace falta hablar de ella porque ella es la mejor cantante .. http://bit.ly/qMZeu (Mercedes Sosa: The Singer of all: “I think there’s no need to talk about her because she is the best singer ..)04 Oct 2009 from twitterfeed

pedrinhocandido (São José dos Campos, Brazil) Nossa representante da América Latina nos deixou. Adeus, Mercedes Sosa http://bit.ly/18YUP0 (Our representative in Latin America has left us. Goodbye, Mercedes Sosa)04 Oct 2009 from web

valu5 (Argentina) MERCEDES SOSA,q en paz dscanses,se fue una grand d la música, smpre viviras en nstros corazons alegrandons c ts preciosas mlodias yunica voz (MERCEDES SOSA, q dscanses alone, it was a grand d music, will live in smpre c ts nstros corazons alegrandons precious mlodias yunica vo) 04 Oct 2009 from web