Albita began her career at very young age, coming from a home of parents who were famous singers. As young singer Albita became noticed because of her contribution to the renovation of traditional Cuban music, composing, arranging and singing with very personal style. GaySOFLA Magazine’s own entertainment writer Vixen spent some ‘one on one’ time talking with the twice Grammy Award winning musician and brings us this exclusive story/interview!

"Albita talks to Vixen"

Score, 11:45 PM, August 21, 2007 

As my assistant and I walked through Lincoln Road she kept asking me the questions I was planning to ask Albita. I was getting them all wrong of course and could not remember. "Don't worry! As soon as I'm inside I'll have all the questions ready,” I said.

We went through the press line.  "Hi I'm Vixen from Gaysofla.com and this is my assistant Sonia". The door hostess checked our names, gave us our orange bracelets, and told us to go upstairs. I took a deep breath asked my assistant to hand me my notes. We sat at the front bar said hi to the "too gorgeous to be a bartender" Shawn.

“We'll have two Cosmos with Kettle One vodka with a splash of sour mix,” I requested. I He nodded and began mixing. I looked around and found a room filled with perfectly groomed men sporting tight shirts, and wearing heavy cologne, I noted, as they all walked by. I wondered if Mr. 8 Pak would be here. The last time I saw him was @ Click. I had woken up next to him in some loft in downtown Miami. I didn't even bother to wake him up when we had slept together. I felt it would of have been way too ‘mushy’. So that morning I just got my clothes and left. No note, no getting his number, nothing.. Oh well.
"Hey!" Rudy Rafuls came from behind me. I kissed him hello and informed him that we were ready. "Good! Albita is waiting for you upstairs,” Rudy told us.

Alibita’s manager pulled me aside and said, "Hi I'm Teresa. Please keep the questions short.”
I smiled at her and said, “Don't worry! It will be less than 5 minutes.” "Good and make sure you speak to her in Spanish,” she told me.

"Not a problem!" I exclaimed.

Albita started to walk towards me her hair must have been a cherry blonde 67. She wore a black top with a gold emblem, high sandy/beige pumps and what appeared to be a fetish choker. She sat down. I sat down. The interview began.

Albita Talks to Vixen (Albita habla con Vixen)

Vixen: First and foremost I wanted to congratulate you on your latest Live CD/DVD and your upcoming show on October 4th at the James L Knight Center.! Are you excited??? ( En primero felicidades en tus ultimos proyectos el CD/DVD en vivo y tambien tu concierto este 4 de Octubre en el James L. Knight Center. Estas emocionada??? )

Albita: Thank you Vixen. Yes very .Very Excited. I'm loving what I'm doing right now. (Gracias Vixen . Si muy.. Estoy muy emocionada. Amo a lo que estoy hacienda ahora.)

Vixen: How do you feel the style of your music has change from your hit " Habra Musica Guajira".( "Como sientes que a cambiado el estilo de tu musica desde tu exito "Habra Musica Guajira?")

Albita: Well, I hope it's changed. I mean as an artist I think you grow and you try different styles and I'm very proud of the direction my music is going. I think if you stay doing the same style of music it starts to lack that creativity and passion .(Bueno espero que haya cambiado. Osea como Artista you pienso que uno tiene que crecer y probar diferente estilos y estoy muy orgullosa en la direccion donde mi musica esta llendo  Tambien pienso que si uno se queda hacienda el mismo estilo de musica la musica empiesa a perder su creatividad y pasion. )

Vixen: Since you talk about changing music , who's music do you like? Who are you dying to work with? ( Ya que hablas de cambio de musica, cual muscia te gusta? Con quien te gustaria collaborar? )

Albita: Oh lord there are so many…. There's Ednita Nazario, Alejandro Sans.. And if God permits … you know cause it does not cause anything to dream, Luis Miguel.( Ahi Dios ahi tantos. Ahi Ednita Nazario, Alejandro Sans, Y si Dios lo permite ya que no cuesta nada soñar Luis Miguel .

Vixen: I'm sure I can make a few calls. Hahahaha( Yo creo que yo puedo hacer unas llamadas. Hahahahaha)

Albita: Hahahaha

Vixen: What's your favorite part of Miami??( Que es lo que mas te gusta de Miami?)

Albita : The beach. I love the beach. It's what Miami is all about. ( La playa . Amo a la playa. La playa es Miami.)

Vixen: What do you think about having gay fans?( Que opinas de tener fans gay?)

Albita:I'm fascinated by it. I really don't care for lables and don't like to categorize people I love having a variety of fans.( Estoy fascinada por eso. A mi no me importa classificar ni categorizar a la gente. Me gusta tener una variedad de fans.)

Vixen: Ok and the question that everyone is dying to know and I was bold enough to ask.( Ok y la pregunta que todos quieren saber y yo soy el unico valiente que te la va a preguntar)

Albita: What is it? (Que es?)

Vixen: Arroz con Leche o Flan de Coco???( Rice Pudding or Coconut Flan???)

Albita: (Stays thinking.....)( se queda pensando....)

Vixen: You can only pick one.( Solo puedes escojer uno.)

Albita: Both. I want both. I love both . Hahahahaha( Los dos. Quiero los dos.)

Vixen: Thank you so much for talking to us I wish only the best in all that you. ( Muchisimas gracias por hablarnos , te deseo solamente lo mejor en todo lo que hagas.)

Albita: Oh my love thank you..( Ahi mi amor gracias a ti.)

I kissed her on the cheek we got up as cameras flashed from every area of the room. The Commissioner of Miami Beach, Michael Gongora, quickly came up to her spoke to her and told her he was giving her the key to the city of Miami Beach. More bulbs flashed, more smiling. I stepped away.and my assistant took my notes.

I looked at Albita and thought to myself" Wow. She is very down to earth. Super sweet. Great smile. Very warm." The staffs from 411 Magazine, Marks List, and even Hot Spots were there. My assistant handed me my Cosmo.

Joe Granda approached me with a big smile. "Thank you so much for the opportunity Joe".

“You're welcome Vixen, anytime." It was 2.a.m. Albita was escorted towards the stage. Joe announced her. The crowd went nuts. Everyone started to sing all of the words to " Que manera de quererte" She was on fire!. Definitely a true asset to Cuba! The woman can work up a room! She was hitting the notes to the T! She sounded so crisp and so alive. Albita looked at me as she was singing, pointed and winked. Now that's A Diva! A Posh Diva! See you guys October 4th @ the James L Knight Center! I'm hooked!

More Exclusive Albita Photos in the GaySOFLA Magazine Photo Gallery.