Adassa

Hadassa Nohemi Candiani, known professionally as Adassa, was born on February 5, 1981, in Miami, Florida, and raised in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, by her Colombian parents. Her early life was influenced by her family’s appreciation for music, with both her mother and grandmother having musical aspirations. Adassa pursued her own dream of becoming a singer from a young age, a path that her parents’ sacrifices in coming to the United States helped make possible. This family background provided a strong foundation for her future career in the entertainment industry.

Adassa’s professional music career began at eighteen when she signed her first record deal with Universal Music Latino. Over the years, she built a discography that includes albums like “On the Floor” (2004), “Kamasutra” (2005), and “Adassa” (2007). Her music, characterized by a blend of urban reggaeton and Latin-infused dance-pop, led to collaborations with artists such as Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and Missy Elliott. She achieved chart success with singles like “De Tra” (2005), which reached No. 40 on the Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay chart, and had top positions on German dance charts with “Dancing Alone” and “Little White Lies” in 2013. Adassa has performed at notable venues including Madison Square Garden and the American Airlines Arena.

A significant turning point in Adassa’s career came with her voice acting debut in the 2021 Disney animated feature film “Encanto,” where she voiced the character Dolores Madrigal. Her performance contributed to the success of the film’s soundtrack, particularly the viral hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” for which she received nominations at the 2022 American Music Awards. This role brought her widespread recognition and expanded her professional reach beyond music. Adassa has consistently emphasized her commitment to family principles, even turning down large financial opportunities that did not align with her personal values, prioritizing family moments over monetary gain.