Milly Quezada
Encyclopedia
Milagros Quezada Borbón, known simply as Milly Quezada, is a Latin Grammy-winning Dominican
Merengue music
singer. She is a singer in Latin America
; especially in those Latin American countries bordered by the Caribbean Sea
, and in the eastern seaboard
region of the United States
. She is also known as Merengue Queen.
natives and sister of four musician brothers. Growing up in such a musical family, Quezada became interested in music as a toddler—she would sing along with her brothers for family, friends and small gatherings near her home.
She expressed an interest in developing her singing talents as a young girl, and, partly for this reason the Quezada family moved to New York City when she was still a child.
Milly spent her pre-teen and teen years in New York, a city that is well known as a school for Merengue and Salsa
singers from its Latino barrio
s, e.g. Spanish Harlem
. In New York, Quezada developed an in-depth knowledge of her favorite musical genre, the fastest of the Latin American popular dance music styles, sung in Spanish and native to the Dominican Republic
(see also Son Cubano
, Rumba
, Salsa, Cha-Cha-Cha
, and Punta
for comparison, as well as Kompa, the style sung in kreyòl in neighboring Haiti). Merengue has been comically referred to as "the Latino weight-loss program" since it is an infectious rhythm, and the songs tend to inspire adherents to enthusiastic dancing. After graduating from high school
in New York, she attended City College of New York
, graduating with a university
degree in communications.
During the 1980s, Quezada was the lead singer of a group named Milly y los Vecinos. The group enjoyed wild international success, producing 20 records, some of which were released in both vinyl
and CD format, others only as CD's (as vinyl record album sales declined substantially by the end of the decade).
Quezada later decided to embark on a solo career, moving to Puerto Rico
where she also married
and became a mother, enjoying even more success as a solo artist. Since the 1990s, Quezada has been either on tour or in recording studios almost constantly, earning several prestigious awards and public recognition such as keys to cities (see below).
In May 2005, she began a Dominican Republic tour that included a concert with the legendary Conjunto Quisqueya.
Quezada has publicly proclaimed her love for the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the United States.
In 2007, Milly recorded a song called "Reencuentro" along with fellow Dominicans Sergio Vargas
and Anaís
. The original version and Merengue version of the song appear on Anais' album "Con Todo Mi Corazón
"
In early 2009, Milly joined eleven other Dominican music legends on a national tour celebrating the merengue and bachata music traditions of the country. That tour was transformed into a Felix Limardo documentary entitled Sol Caribe. The movie features an original song, La Puerta del Nuevo Mundo that is a once in a lifetime collaboration of the twelve stars. The film was the closing feature at the III Dominican Republic Global Film Festival in November, 2009 and was attended by the President of the Dominican Republic.
She is related to Dominican model Patricia Gomez.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
Merengue music
Merengue music
Merengue is a type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. Its name is Spanish, taken from the name of the meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar...
singer. She is a singer in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
; especially in those Latin American countries bordered by the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
, and in the eastern seaboard
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She is also known as Merengue Queen.
Biography
Milly Quezada was born in Santo Domingo, the daughter of two CibaoCibao
Cibao, usually referred as "El Cibao", is a region of the Dominican Republic located at the northern part of the country.The Taíno word Cibao, meaning "place where rocks abound", was originally applied to the central mountain range, and used during the Spanish conquest to refer to the rich and...
natives and sister of four musician brothers. Growing up in such a musical family, Quezada became interested in music as a toddler—she would sing along with her brothers for family, friends and small gatherings near her home.
She expressed an interest in developing her singing talents as a young girl, and, partly for this reason the Quezada family moved to New York City when she was still a child.
Milly spent her pre-teen and teen years in New York, a city that is well known as a school for Merengue and Salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
singers from its Latino barrio
Barrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
s, e.g. Spanish Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
. In New York, Quezada developed an in-depth knowledge of her favorite musical genre, the fastest of the Latin American popular dance music styles, sung in Spanish and native to the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
(see also Son Cubano
Son
A son is a male offspring; a boy or man in relation to his parents. The female analogue is a daughter.-Social issues regarding sons:In pre-industrial societies and some current countries with agriculture-based economies, a higher value was, and still is, assigned to sons rather than daughters,...
, Rumba
Cuban Rumba
In Cuban music, Rumba is a generic term covering a variety of musical rhythms and associated dances. The rumba has its influences in the music brought to Cuba by Africans brought to Cuba as slaves as well as Spanish colonizers...
, Salsa, Cha-Cha-Cha
Cha-cha-cha (dance)
The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953...
, and Punta
Punta
Punta is a Garifuna music and dance style performed at celebrations and festive occasions. Contemporary punta, including Belizean punta rock, arose in the last thirty years of the twentieth century in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. It also has a following in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Southern Mexico...
for comparison, as well as Kompa, the style sung in kreyòl in neighboring Haiti). Merengue has been comically referred to as "the Latino weight-loss program" since it is an infectious rhythm, and the songs tend to inspire adherents to enthusiastic dancing. After graduating from high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in New York, she attended City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
, graduating with a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
degree in communications.
During the 1980s, Quezada was the lead singer of a group named Milly y los Vecinos. The group enjoyed wild international success, producing 20 records, some of which were released in both vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
and CD format, others only as CD's (as vinyl record album sales declined substantially by the end of the decade).
Quezada later decided to embark on a solo career, moving to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
where she also married
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and became a mother, enjoying even more success as a solo artist. Since the 1990s, Quezada has been either on tour or in recording studios almost constantly, earning several prestigious awards and public recognition such as keys to cities (see below).
In May 2005, she began a Dominican Republic tour that included a concert with the legendary Conjunto Quisqueya.
Quezada has publicly proclaimed her love for the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the United States.
In 2007, Milly recorded a song called "Reencuentro" along with fellow Dominicans Sergio Vargas
Sergio Vargas
For the Chilean football goalkeeper with the same name see Sergio Vargas Sergio Vargas is a Dominican merengue singer. He has been a member of the bands La Banda Brava and Los Hijos del Rey.- References :...
and Anaís
Anaís
-Notable TV Guest Appearances:*Premios Juventud*Latin Grammys*Latin Grammy Celebra Marco Antonio Solís*Al Despertar 41*El Show de Cristina*Escándalo TV*Anda Pa'l Cará*El Gordo y la Flaca*Despierta América*Premios Casandras 2007...
. The original version and Merengue version of the song appear on Anais' album "Con Todo Mi Corazón
Con Todo Mi Corazón
Con Todo Mi Corazón is the second album from Latin music singer and winner of the second season of Objetivo Fama, Anaís. The album was released in the U.S. on April 3, 2007 and had an April 18 release in Mexico. The lead single "Tu Amor No Es Garantía" premiered in January 2007. The majority of...
"
In early 2009, Milly joined eleven other Dominican music legends on a national tour celebrating the merengue and bachata music traditions of the country. That tour was transformed into a Felix Limardo documentary entitled Sol Caribe. The movie features an original song, La Puerta del Nuevo Mundo that is a once in a lifetime collaboration of the twelve stars. The film was the closing feature at the III Dominican Republic Global Film Festival in November, 2009 and was attended by the President of the Dominican Republic.
She is related to Dominican model Patricia Gomez.
Milly y los Vecinos
- Esta es Milly con los Vecinos (This is Milly with los Vecinos)
- La gente de hoy (Today's People)
- Pa' Dominicana (To Dominican Republic)
- Los Vecinos en su momento (The Vecinos at Their Best Moment)
- 'Milly en Boleros (Milly into BoleroBoleroBolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
s) - Acabando (Kicking Some)
- NostalgiaNostalgiaThe term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
(Nostalgy) - Esta Noche, Los Vecinos (Topnight, Los Vecinos!)
- Milly en Salsa (Milly into Salsa, alongside Luis "Perico" Ortiz)
- Dinastía
- Special Delivery
- Etiqueta Negra (Black Tie Affair)
- Por Supuesto (Of Course)
- Ahora esAhora Es"Ahora Es" is the third single by reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel from their sixth studio album Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres, released in March 2008, by Machete Music. The melody resembles the song "Ay Cosita Linda" by Pacho Galan.-Chart positions:...
(Now's the Time) - 7+1= Vecinos
- Flying soloFlying SoloFlying Solo is a young adult novel written by Ralph Fletcher, first published in 1998.-Plot:Mr. Fabiano is a sixth-grade teacher that calls in sick on April 28. When his class arrives they discover that their substitute teacher has not shown up. The class decides that they will not report this to...
- La Milly una noche (Milly, one Night)
- Celebrando (Celebrando)
- Lo Mejor de Milly y los Vecinos (The Best of Milly y los Vecinos, a remix)
- En tus manosEn Tus ManosEn Tus Manos is a short narrative film by Toy Gun Films released to DVD on January 1, 2010. Written by Oscar Torres , directed by Ron Jacobs, and produced by Oscar Torres, Brent Ryan Green and Jeff Goldberg Paper Flower who serve as co-presidents to and also featuring Thomas Marvel as the...
(On Your Hands)
As a solo singer
Quezada has recorded five solo albums, receiving a Latin Grammy for Pienso asi and MQ.- Hasta siempreHasta Siempre"Hasta Siempre, Comandante, or simply "Hasta Siempre", is a 1965 Spanish song by Cuban composer Carlos Puebla. The song's lyrics are a reply to revolutionary Che Guevara's farewell letter when he left Cuba, in order to foster revolution in the Congo and later Bolivia, where he would be captured and...
(Forever) - Milly vive (Milly Lives)
- Tesoros de mi Tierra (Treasures From my Homecountry, where she had her first experience singing Bachata)
- Milly, éxitos y más (Milly, Hits and More)
- Pienso así (This is How I Think)
- MQMQMQ may refer to:* Macquarie University, Australia* Macquarie Bank, Australia* Magic Quadrant, a market analysis visualization method proprietary to Gartner* Martinique: country code within ISO 3166-1 alpha-2* Merseburg-Querfurt, a district of Germany...
(MQ) - Sólo Faltas Tú
- Aquí estoy yoAquí Estoy Yo"Aquí Estoy Yo" is a song written by Luis Fonsi, Claudia Brant and Gen Rubin; it was produced by Fonsi and Sebastián Krys for Fonsi's seventh studio album Palabras del Silencio, and it is performed by Fonsi, David Bisbal, Aleks Syntek, and Noel Schajris....
(forecoming)
City Keys
Quezada has received many awards during her career, such as the aforementioned Grammy. Arguably, one of the highest honors a person or celebrity can receive is the "key to a city," usually presented by that city's mayor. Here is a list of cities that have given Quezada that symbolic award:- Jersey City, New JerseyJersey City, New JerseyJersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
- Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode IslandProvidence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
- New York City, New York
- West New York, New JerseyWest New York, New JerseyWest New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.-Geography:...