Kendrick Lamar found mariachi singer Deyra Barrera by hearing her sing at Dodger Stadium during Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, where the Dodgers held a tribute to Fernando Valenzuela. A few days later she was in Lamar’s studio writing lines for a song. Album credits place her voice on three tracks on GNX, and list her as a songwriter on all three.
How the stadium performance led to Lamar
Rolling Stone en Español published an interview with Barrera by Tomás Mier on December 3, 2024. In it, she says the Dodgers hired her to perform during the tribute to Valenzuela, who had recently died. She sang “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela” and a medley that included “Yo Te Extrañaré,” and says she was crying as she sang for a friend. According to her account, Lamar was in the stadium and heard her. A Los Angeles Times feature published November 27, 2024 independently reports that Lamar discovered her while she performed at Dodger Stadium.
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From the stadium to the studio
Barrera’s account of how she moved from the stadium into the session runs in four steps:
- An introduction. Kimberly Barrena, a former Interscope Records executive, introduced Barrera to Lamar’s team.
- A few days later, the session. Barrera went to Lamar’s studio. She says the team played the beats and described the emotions Lamar wanted the song to carry.
- Writing to fit. She brought a pen and paper and wrote lines that matched what the team was looking for. Lamar’s own vocals had not yet been placed on the song.
- The welcome. Barrera says Lamar later thanked her and spoke to her about her voice. She describes this as her recollection, not a direct interview with Lamar.
Who Deyra Barrera is
Rolling Stone en Español describes Barrera as a mariachi singer born in Tucson, Arizona. It says she emigrated to the United States from Villa Juárez, Sonora, in 1993, pursued singing in the Los Angeles area, followed her mother’s musical path, and took inspiration from ranchera singers Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, and Lola Beltrán.
#1 Best Overall
- Description Kendrick Lamar - GNX - Vinyl GNX is the sixth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. Titled after the Buick Regal model, and a follow-up to Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). Tracklisting SIDE A: 1. wacced out murals 2. squabble up 3. luther 4. man at the garden 5. hey now 6. reincarnated SIDE B: 7. tv off 8. dodger blue 9. peekaboo 10. heart pt. 6 11. gnx 12. gloria...
- Format: Vinyl...
- Released: 2025-02-07...
- Genre: Hip-Hop...
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The same interview lists her reported television and competition history:
- 2010: competed on La Academia in Mexico.
- 2017: placed third on Univision’s Reina de la Canción.
- 2021: appeared on Mexico’s La Voz.
She also records solo music and earns a living singing at restaurants, weddings, and quinceañeras with Trío Corazón. These details are as reported in December 2024 and may not describe her current schedule.
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Where she appears on GNX
GNX is a 12-track album that was released as a surprise on November 22, 2024, according to The FADER. Two sources cover Barrera’s credits on it, and they describe different levels of involvement. The label catalog from Universal Music Italia lists her as an additional vocalist, and Pitchfork’s published credits add songwriting roles.
| Track | Listed vocal credit | Listed songwriting credit |
|---|---|---|
| “wacced out murals” | Additional vocals by Barrera (Universal Music Italia catalog; The FADER) | Composer and lyricist with Kendrick Lamar (Pitchfork, November 22, 2024) |
| “reincarnated” | Additional vocals by Barrera (Universal Music Italia catalog; The FADER) | Composer and lyricist with Kendrick Lamar (Pitchfork, November 22, 2024) |
| “gloria” | Additional vocals by Barrera (Universal Music Italia catalog; The FADER) | Composer and lyricist with Barrera, Lamar, Ink, and SZA (Pitchfork, November 22, 2024) |
Barrera is therefore a credited songwriter as well as a vocalist on these three tracks. She is not limited to a single sampled line on one song.
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In her own words
Barrera’s account includes three quotes from Rolling Stone en Español’s December 3, 2024 interview. All translations are ours.
- On entering the session: “No tenía idea de lo que iba a grabar. Hago mariachi, no rap.” (“I had no idea what I was going to record. I do mariachi, not rap.”) She says the team told her they wanted her style and voice.
- On Lamar’s welcome, as she recalls it: “Tienes una voz muy poderosa. Gracias por venir.” (“You have such a powerful voice. Thanks for coming.”)
- On her career: “Han sido muchos años de altas y bajas, pero nunca he tirado la toalla porque esto es lo que amo.” (“It has been many years of ups and downs, but I have never thrown in the towel because this is what I love.”)
What the sources do not establish
- No direct statement from Lamar explaining why he chose Barrera is reported in the sources. Any account of his reasoning would be speculation.
- The studio account rests mainly on Barrera’s interview. Her description of Lamar’s words is her own recollection.
- No audience, chart, streaming, or sales figure for Barrera’s contribution to GNX is reported in the sources reviewed.
Listening to GNX in physical formats
Universal Music Italia’s catalog lists a digital release on November 22, 2024, along with standard vinyl and CD editions carrying a February 7, 2025 release date. Catalog entries and retailer stock change over time, so check current availability and the listed format before you buy.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- Media Condition: Mint (M)
- Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
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