July 16, 2025, marks 22 years since the death of legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, yet her impact on music and global culture remains as vibrant as ever. Known as “La Reina de la Salsa,” Cruz’s legacy continues to resonate through her recordings, tributes, and the enduring presence of her trademark battle cry: “¡Azúcar!” a phrase that has become synonymous with joy, resilience, and Latin identity.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Cruz rose to fame in the 1950s with the celebrated ensemble La Sonora Matancera before launching a successful solo career that broke barriers for women and Afro-Latina artists in a male-dominated industry. Her music steeped in salsa, rumba, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms — spread across the world, influencing generations of musicians and fans.
Cruz’s life was shaped by exile following the Cuban Revolution, and though she never permanently returned to her homeland, she symbolically carried Cuba with her — famously collecting a handful of homeland sand during a brief 1990 visit, which she was later buried with after her death from a brain tumor.
The phrase “¡Azúcar!”, born from a spontaneous moment in a Miami Cuban restaurant, has transcended its musical roots to become a cultural emblem — repeated by families, artists, and communities worldwide in celebrations of heritage and joy.
Celia Cruz’s influence endures in contemporary music and honors: she has been celebrated at major award shows, featured on U.S. currency as the first Afro-Latina to appear on a U.S. coin, and commemorated with special radio programming and cultural events that highlight her contribution to Latin music and culture.
Today, Cruz’s recordings continue to be streamed globally, and her spirit lives on through tributes, covers, and the constant echo of her unforgettable “¡Azúcar!” — a reminder that her legacy is far from fading.
