Amandititita

Amanda Lalena, better known as Amandititita, is Mexican rock royalty. Her father, "Rockdrigo" González, is Mexico’s answer to folk legend Bob Dylan.

Favoring futuristic cumbia beats, the short and spunky Amandititita is the self-proclaimed "Queen of Anarcocumbia" (anarchic cumbia). On tracks like "El Balneario," clacking cowbells, a winding accordion and pulsating bass lines are punctuated by Amandititita's girly vocals.

Like her father, Amandititita uses sarcasm and kitsch to air out the ugly side of Mexico City, as on songs like La Mataviejitas, the story of a nurse that kills old ladies for kicks, Mecánico, a tale of fresas who fall in love with old car mechanics, and "La Cumbia de Telmex," which criticizes Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim:

El señor Slim
remodela mi pais
es tan generoso
vuelve al centro fabuloso
pero la gente se queda sin vivienda
porque es fea
se ve mal y eso molesta

Mr. Slim
remodels my country
he's so generous
turns downtown into something fabulous
but the people are still homeless
because they're ugly
they look bad and annoying

Political and playful, Amandititita's biggest hit to date is Metrosexual, a flirty single about a pretty-boy boyfriend. The track made her the toast of gossip shows and late night TV programs. Her eponymous debut, produced by Lino Nava of La Lupita, is scheduled for release in the U.S. later this year, and Amandititita says she's confident her father's legacy won't overshadow her music: "The YouTube and MySpace generation didn't know about [Rockdrigo]; I read lots of comments that say they've never heard of him but it doesn't bother me because I also have something to say."

Updated: April 11, 2008.