I’m a fiend for good music by interesting people. I like artists who have a compelling life story that has shaped what they do.

So I was immediately captivated when I heard the smoky voice of Buika on PRI’s The World: Global Hit the other day. Buika is a Spanish singer whose family was refugees from Equatorial Guinea. She grew up singing in hotels in Mallorca after her father abandoned the family. Listen to the compelling podcast about her journey from being a Tina Turner impersonator to a nominee for a Latin Grammy the other night.

And check out a song or two as well.

(And btw, this is the first installation in a recurring feature about my neverending quest for great music.)