This is the cover for the single Concha Nácar designed as a tribute to the unforgettable Toña la Negra, reimagined through a contemporary lens. Toña la Negra was the stage name of María Antonia del Carmen Peregrino Álvarez, a defining voice in Mexican bolero. Born into poverty, she had no formal musical training and began singing at family gatherings at the age of nine. In 1932, she moved to the capital, where she began a vital artistic collaboration with composer Agustín Lara. It is said that upon hearing her sing “Enamorada” for the first time, Lara was left speechless—and just days later, he wrote the poignant “Lamento Jarocho” especially for her, as a tribute to her coastal hometown. Over the years, her voice immortalised many of Lara’s compositions on the radio, including Lamento Jarocho, Veracruz, and one of my personal favourites, Concha Nácar.

For this visual piece, I drew directly from the lyrics of Concha Nácar, letting the imagery shape the composition and colour. The vibrant red background evokes the 'warmth of a woman' mentioned in the song, while the soft blue tones of the hands evoke the sea, as well as the coldness of solitude and sorrow. At the centre, a small shell rests, screen-printed with a glossy finish that catches the light like a delicate jewel, echoing the line “your tears turned into pearls.” A tactile and poetic gesture, as if one could reach out and touch the memory of her voice.