Meet Lupita Infante, A True LA Girl and Grammy nominated artist who is bridging the gap between traditional and modern day Mexican music. Born and raised in Downey, California, Infante hails from an iconic musical legacy as her grandfather, Pedro Infante, is one of Mexico’s most cherished and revered figures (in the country’s history) who continues to make a global impact in the Latin music scene inspiring new generations of artists. Known for his work in classic film during The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema (1940s & 1950s) along with iconic songs such as “Cien Anos,” and “Las Tres Cosas,” Infante has also left a lasting impression and influence on Lupita who has successfully created her own legacy by releasing original music along with Grammy nominated albums “La Serenata” and last year’s “Amor Como en Las Peliculas de Antes.”
Getting her big break on Mexico’s “La Voz” in 2017, Infante has since tapped heavily into her creativity and grown as an artist experimenting with various themes and lyrical content. Her last album, heavily inspired by classic Mexican film, explores different stages of love and relationships with songs such as “Besarte Asi,” and “Quiéreme Asi.” Bringing traditional sounds of mariachi, ranchera, and norteño music to fans everywhere while inspiring women and Latinas out there, we got to sit down with Lupita Infante in our exclusive interview below.
The LA Girl: Can you tell us what you are currently up to? It should be noted, Lupita recently attended Billboard Latin Music Week and was a part of the “Legacies Panel,” along with other Latina artists hailing from iconic Mexican Lineages, she explains further below.
Lupita Infante: Hello! Currently I’ve been performing for the concert series Grita Canta Vota to get people out there to make their voices heard. I also just came back from Miami where we had an amazing panel with other daughters of legacy artists. Chiquis, Majo Aguilar, Camila Fernandez and myself made up the panel and it was really interesting to see how we all are so different yet we all have these huge figures that have influenced our lives and artistry in similar ways. I also love that it was all women. I feel like more and more women are taking up certain spaces and are being celebrated as they should be. The struggle is not over but I’m encouraged when I see women rising.
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The LA Girl: What has been the highlight of your year so far?
Lupita Infante: The beginning of the year started off with a bang. We were nominated for a GRAMMY, and attended the ceremony and it was a night to remember with many inspiring performances and speeches. It seems all artists have a similar story of struggle before they break through. The end goal in this game (for me) is longevity. Yes, it’s amazing to really have breakthrough commercial success but, I’m in it for the long run and my music genre allows this. I think people will always want to hear music of Mexico, and I think they will always find identity and culture with my music. The GRAMMY ceremony was a beautiful reminder that you just need to keep going, not until you “make it” but because you love this and can’t live life without music.
The LA Girl: How would you sum up your musical journey so far? Any challenges? Most rewarding part?
Lupita Infante: My musical journey has had many different phases. I was broke for the majority of my life, haha. I honed my craft, looked for opportunities to grow, and I educated myself. Right now there’s a sense of accomplishment and gratitude that I have come this far. I’m producing my next album, and I really feel the freedom of just expressing what I want and how I want, and it feels good to know that people are actually receptive of my artistry. I feel like I have learned so much the last few years since I began touring and was signed with a major label. Now,is the moment that I’m really coming into my own in every way. I’m still learning of course, that never stops, but with each change of perspective comes new inspirations that influence music and everyday life.
The LA Girl: Your album “Amor Como en Las Peliculas de Antes” was released last May, tell us about the inspiration behind the creative process in creating the album? How would you describe your musical style?
Lupita Infante: This album was such a learning process. It was all original music yet carried many of the traditional sounds that define Mexican music and the mariachi ensemble. I worked with a few producers for it and I learned a lot, hence why now I want to be in the producer’s seat. With ACELPDA there was still a lot of guidance and hand holding that took place, a lot of choices that were made for me in the production realm even though I had full autonomy of saying what I wanted through the songwriting process. During the time that ACELPDA came out and now we have seen a global explosion of Mexican music with artists like Peso Pluma (who won the GRAMMY we were nominated for) and those sounds are inspiring me. In my upcoming album I’m finding ways to combine what inspires me about the global Mexican music movement and what’s authentic to me.
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The LA Girl: What should we know about your iconic grandfather or dad? How has their legacy impacted you? What was it like attending the celebration of your grandfather’s legacy in Mexico City this year?
Lupita Infante: I attended the 67th “Aniversario Luctuoso” of my grandfather and it’s always beautiful to see how he is remembered and celebrated. My grandpa’s music and films have always been a source of inspiration. Songwriting sessions for ACELPDA took place in my grandfather’s native state of Sinaloa which was absolutely heartwarming to be in the lands that forged the resilient yet playful man that he became known for. The songs that came from this writing trip were “Quien No Ha Llorado Por Amor”, “Hazme Tuya”, and “Quiereme Así”.
The LA Girl: We see you are from Downey, CA/LA. Can you tell us where your favorite places are to go eat, grab coffee, shop, or hang out in LA?
Lupita Infante: Yes! I am a south east LA native. We love Downey and the surrounding communities, we go to the city of Paramount for Aji Verde (Peruvian) and I’ve been waiting for the new Tierra Mia that’s been in construction since what seems like forever. My husband and I also enjoy Downey’s Gaucho Grill, Fatima’s, and Poke 2 Grill. There’s also La Pasta in Lynwood! We like the good stuff!
The LA Girl: Can you share 5 things that people may not know? Any hidden talents, hobbies, or extra curricular activities that you have?
Lupita Infante: I enjoy cooking. I have always been a creative at heart, I love DIY videos and secretly wish I had the skills of a carpenter. I love being with family, and I’ve been on a classic film binge lately both U.S. and Mexican film.
The LA Girl: What was life like growing up in Downey?
Lupita Infante: Chill, it’s a working class neighborhood with a diverse Latino population. I love that my city has recognized me with the Mayor’s Excellence Award and also inducted me in the Downey High School’s Hall of Fame. It means a lot to me because when I was growing up it was hard to find those role models that I could look up to in my own community and I hope I bring that to Downey.
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The LA Girl: What artists have you taken influence from?
Lupita Infante: Lately I’ve been trying to find inspiration outside of music. There are so many incredible female Latinas in other professional fields. I heard Dr. Antonia Novello speak at a conference earlier in the year and she blew me away. She was the first female and person of hispanic descent to be the Surgeon General of the United States. Her story is amazing. I’ve also been inspired by Mexican actresses such as Lupita Tovar and Maria Felix.
The LA Girl: What’s currently on your playlist?
Lupita Infante: Everything from Xavi to Maura Nava, Los Dos Carnales to Kevin Kaarl, Pedro Infante to Dinah Washington, The Specials to Chencha Berrinches, and Jenni Rivera to The Delfonics. It’s all over the place lol.
The LA Girl: Favorite film or TV show?
Lupita Infante: Y LLegaon de Noche on VIX
The LA Girl: Advice to young women out there struggling with self esteem or who feel lost in their careers/ life?
Lupita Infante: Watch the Maria Felix documentary on VIX. Sometimes you just have to remember how powerful you are and no matter where you are in life today, that doesn’t define who you will be or where you will be tomorrow. You are a lot more powerful than you think, and there’s a long line of women that came before you whose shoulder you have to stand on. We are not alone.
The LA Girl: Anything else you want to share with The La Girl? Future plans, events or performances we should know about?
Lupita Infante: Follow me on social media @lupitainfantexo. I will update you on what’s new and what’s cooking!
Subscribe to Lupita’s YouTube channel here.
