Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.
Mulata is a Tango written by Roberto Nievas Blanco and composed by Roberto Nievas Blanco.
Mulata tells a poignant story of an interracial romance fraught with societal pressures and internal conflicts. The lyrics portray a mulata, a woman of mixed African and European descent, who falls in love with a white man. Despite his genuine emotions towards her, their relationship is complicated by racial differences. The usage of the word ‘Mulata’ itself calls attention to her racial identity, which plays a central role in the narrative and her inner turmoil. The song traces her struggle between her affection for her white lover and her loyalty to her black roots, eventually finding solace only in death, suggesting a tragic escape from societal constraints.
The term ‘Mulata’ serves as a powerful symbol within the song, evoking both the beauty and the pain associated with mixed heritage in a society marked by racial divisions. Key phrases such as “de piel bronceada” (of bronzed skin) and “Tu alma está llorando” (Your soul is crying) highlight her external appearance and internal torment, respectively. These phrases underscore the disconnect between her emotional state and societal perceptions, further emphasized by her ultimate move to the “casa del Señor” (the house of the Lord), signifying a death that unifies her transcendentally with her love regardless of color.
The song was recorded in 1944, a period when Argentina was still grappling with issues of race and identity. At this time, the depiction of mixed-race relationships in art reflected broader social dialogues about race. The narrative, set against this backdrop, challenges the racial norms of its time, highlighting the profound impacts of racial discrimination on personal relationships and individual identity. The tragic resolution in ‘Mulata’ might resonate as a commentary on the era’s harsh racial realities, where true love is not free from societal prejudices and constraints.
Roberto Nievas Blanco was an impactful figure in the Tango music scene, known for deeply emotional compositions that often explored complex themes.