Deyra Barrera: The Latina Voice Opening Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Era

When fans hit play on Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album GNX, the opening voice wasn’t what anyone expected. Deyra Barrera, a 49-year-old mariachi singer from Tucson, Arizona, sets the tone with powerful lyrics in Spanish: “I felt your presence here last night, and we started to cry.” According to Billboard, Barrera’s voice kicks off the album’s first track, “Wacced Out Murals,” and she also features on “Reincarnated” and “Gloria.”

Her path to GNX started in an unlikely setting: Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, where she performed a tribute to the late Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. “I was in tears, singing for my friend who died, at a packed stadium,” Barrera told Rolling Stone. Among the audience was none other than Lamar himself, who heard her performance and later invited her to his studio.

From a Stadium Performance to the Studio, Deyra Barrera’s Journey

Barrera’s tribute at Dodger Stadium included a rendition of “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela” and a farewell medley that moved the crowd. Complex reports that this emotional moment led to her introduction to Lamar by former Interscope executive Kimberly Barrena. Days later, Deyra Barrera was recording for GNX.

At the studio, Barrera listened to the beats and emotions Lamar wanted to convey. She quickly jotted down lines to match his vision, even though she wasn’t sure how her mariachi style would blend with rap. “I had no idea what I would record. I make mariachi, not rap,” she said. “They told me they wanted my style, my voice.”

A Genius Collaboration

Meeting Lamar in person left Barrera in awe. “He welcomed me and was so kind,” she said. “‘You have such a powerful voice. Thanks for coming,’ he told me. I had no idea what to say.” Calling him a “genius” and a “maestro,” Barrera praised Lamar’s creative brilliance.

Her vocals on GNX highlight her ranchera bravado and years of experience as a mariachi singer. “Everything he makes is magic,” Barrera added.

Deyra Barrera’s Decades of Dedication

Barrera’s journey as a mariachi singer started long before Lamar noticed her talent. Originally from Villa Juárez, Sonora, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1993 and has worked tirelessly to make a living through music. “Ever since I can remember, we’ve sung to pay for rent and to make enough money to eat,” Barrera told Rolling Stone.

She competed on several singing competition shows, including La Academia in 2010 and Reina de la Canción in 2017. Most recently, she appeared on The Voice Mexico in 2021. Despite these achievements, she often struggled for recognition.

A Turning Point in Her Career

Barrera hopes her collaboration with Lamar will open new doors. “This industry is really difficult,” she said. “I need to take advantage of this God-given moment to grow as a singer. From now on, I need to work a lot to have more people listen to my music and learn who I am.”

Although her albums are limited on streaming platforms, her performances with Trío Corazón at weddings and quinceañeras have sustained her career. Now, she dreams of larger stages and more opportunities.

Dreaming of the Super Bowl

With Lamar headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Barrera dares to dream of joining him on that stage. “Imagine if he invited me to sing with him? That would be incredible,” she told Rolling Stone. For now, she’s grateful for the chance to share her voice with a global audience.

“I hope people know that it’s Deyra Barrera who is on these songs,” she said. “This is taking me by surprise, and my skin gets goosebumps because all of this happened so quickly for me.”

Deyra Barrera’s story is one of resilience, passion, and the power of seizing opportunities. As she steps into the spotlight with GNX, her voice represents a bridge between cultural heritage and modern artistry, ensuring her legacy resonates far beyond mariachi.