Ana Tijoux: Speaking Truth to Power Through Music

WHO IS ANA TIJOUX?

Music can often be an excellent tool for political expression, and that’s something Ana Tijoux has taken to heart throughout her career.

Also known as Anita Tijoux, this rapper/singer has built up quite a legacy through both her music and her activism. Born in France to Chilean parents who’d been living in the country to escape the coup d'état in their homeland leading to a dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet, Tijoux eventually moved to her parents’ homeland in 1993 following the country's return to democracy three years earlier. Since that time, she’s built up a successful career that's still going strong today, one that has led to her winning a Latin Grammy Award in 2014 and nominations for three awards at the main Grammys. 

But how did she get to where she is now? Here’s a rundown of what Ana Tijoux has accomplished to date, and what’s next for her.

HOW ANA TIJOUX GOT ON THE MAP

After relocating to post-dictatorship Chile (she’d only visited for the first time 10 years earlier to visit family), Tijoux got herself immersed in the local rap scene in Santiago. She’d begun learning how to rap as the ‘80s were ending, and collaborated with local funk band Los Tetas while also starting her own group, Los Gemelos. During the late ‘90s, however, Tijoux gained recognition as a member of the politically-charged Chilean hip-hop outfit Makiza. Their first album, Vida Salvaje, dropped in 1997, with its 1999 follow-up, Aerolineas Makiza, really helping the group break through in Latin America. Makiza released one more album, 2005’s Casino Royale before disbanding the following year — marking the start of Tijoux’s solo career.

Tijoux’s mainstream breakthrough wouldn’t come in the Spanish-speaking world until 2006, after featuring on Mexican singer Julieta Venegas’ hit single “Eres para mí” and then releasing her own debut single “Ya no fue”. Her debut album Kaos dropped in 2007, but her true breakthrough in Latin America wouldn’t come until its follow-up, 2010’s 1977 (named after her birth year). Its title track and lead single would be its biggest hit, earning placements in two FIFA video games and the hit shows Broad City and Breaking Bad. 1977 would be nominated for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album at the 2011 Grammys.

ANA TIJOUX’S KEYS FOR SUCCESS

Since Tijoux made her breakthrough in a mostly pre-social media world, her rise to prominence came largely through her politically-charged and frequently autobiographical songwriting. Her solo work first began catching fire within Chile before catching the attention of North American audiences. This would allow 1977 to earn her a spot performing at SXSW in 2010. As alluded to earlier, the album’s title track would also get placements in an episode of Breaking Bad and in FIFA 11.

Though Tijoux is first and foremost a rapper, her musical style derives from a wide palette of genres. Not only does she rap in both Spanish and French, she is also known for her outspokenly feminist and anti-capitalist politics both in her music and IRL. Also a staunch supporter of Palestine, she refuses to play shows in Israel. Getting a co-sign from famous fans, like she received from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke in 2010, also helped her gain wider recognition. Four years later, Rolling Stone would name her “Best Rapper en Español”, the same year she’d win her first Latin Grammy for Record of the Year for “Universos Paralelos”, a duet with Jorge Drexler.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ANA TIJOUX

Fans of NPR’s Tiny Desk may recognize Tijoux from her recent performance on the beloved YouTube concert series. Since the success of 1977, Tijoux has released three more studio albums, the most recent being January’s Vida (her first new body of work in a decade). The album is in keeping with Tijoux’s autobiographical style, as the single “Tania” is about losing her sister to cancer. 

Now fully based in Paris, Tijoux has spent much of 2024 promoting Vida with shows in Chile, Europe and North America, both for her own gigs and at major festivals. Her only announced tour dates still to come are happening in the fall, first with an appearance at September’s Festa do Avante festival in Seixal, Portugal and then back to France with a show on October 16 in Nancy. You can keep up to date with all things Ana Tijoux by visiting her official website, following her on the streaming platform of your choice, or on X/Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

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FAQS ABOUT ANA TIJOUX

Where is Ana Tijoux from?

• Ana Tijoux was born in Lille, France, but moved to Paris at age six and is the daughter of Chilean parents who immigrated to France following the 1973 coup d’état in their homeland, and has Chilean nationality.

How old is Ana Tijoux?

• Ana Tijoux was born on June 12, 1977, and is 47 years old.

What is Ana Tijoux's full name?

• Ana Tijoux's full name is Anamaría Tijoux Merino.

Who is Ana Tijoux signed to?

• Ana Tijoux is signed to the Altafonte Music Network.

What was Ana Tijoux’s breakout song?

• Ana Tijoux’s breakout track after going solo was “Despabilate” from her debut album Kaos, but she'd really gain recognition from the title track off her sophomore album, 1977.

Who influenced Ana Tijoux’s music?

• Ana Tijoux has been influenced by classic Latin American folk music, including the iconic Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra. She combines influences such as her and Victor Jara with more contemporary rap music, such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Wu-Tang Clan, and the local rap scene she witnessed while growing up in Paris.

What’s next for Ana Tijoux?

• Ana Tijoux has some shows coming up by the end of the year in Portugal and France, as she continues promoting her most recent album Vida, released in January of this year.

How can I stay updated with Ana Tijoux’s music?

• You can keep up with Ana Tijoux’s new releases by following her on your chosen streaming platform, by visiting her official website, or by following her on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and/or X/Twitter.