La Shica

An alternative flamenco act from Madrid based around vocalist and dancer Elsa Rovayo, La Shica performs a style of music derived from flamenco as well as copla while incorporating elements of hip-hop and pop. Born in the autonomous Mediterranean coastal city of Ceuta, Rovayo moved to Madrid at age 15 to become a flamenco dancer but harbored ambitions to become a singer, and ultimately teamed up with Brazilian flamenco guitarist Fernando de la Rúa to form the musical group Dios los Cría. Changing its name to La Shica, the band attracted a following in Madrid and later signed a recording contract with Warner Music Group, releasing the full-length debut album Trabajito de Chinos (including collaborations with Miguel Poveda and Miguel Campello) in 2008. ~ Jason Birchmeier