Paty Cantú

Patricia Giovanna Cantú Velasco, known professionally as Paty Cantú, is a celebrated Mexican singer and songwriter who first gained prominence as one of the founding members of the pop duo Lu. She was born on November 25, 1983, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Cantú’s family moved several times before settling back in Guadalajara when she was four years old. Drawn to music from a young age, she began taking bass and guitar lessons at 16 and eventually left law school to pursue a career in music.

Cantú’s musical journey took off with the formation of Lu, alongside Mario Sandoval. The duo’s debut album, produced by Aureo Baqueiro, was released in 2004 and included hits like “Por Besarte,” “Una Confusión,” and “La Vida Después de Ti.” These tracks enjoyed significant success, especially in Mexico and Brazil, thanks in part to their inclusion in the popular telenovela Rebelde. Despite the duo’s success, Cantú and Sandoval parted ways in 2007 due to creative differences.

Transitioning to a solo career, Cantú quickly demonstrated her songwriting prowess. Her debut solo single, “Déjame Ir,” released in 2008, became an instant hit, reaching the Top 10 in Mexican radio airplay. This success was followed by her debut album, Me Quedo Sola, released in January 2009. The album, which featured songs primarily written by Cantú, debuted at #8 on the Mixup sales chart and soon reached #1. The second single from the album, “No Fue Suficiente,” further solidified her place in the music industry with its Tim Burton-inspired music video.

Cantú’s talents extended beyond her own music. She wrote songs for other artists, including Alejandro Fernández and Dulce María. In 2009, she contributed “Historia Ancestral” to the soundtrack of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. She also released a re-edition of her debut album, including new tracks like “Muñeca de Papel” and collaborations with artists like Alfonso Pichardo of Moenia.

Cantú’s rising fame was recognized with multiple award nominations. In 2009, she received nominations for Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica and Premios Oye!, the Mexican Grammy Awards. Her song “Afortunadamente no eres tú” gained further popularity by being featured in a MasterCard commercial and the soundtrack of the series Niñas Mal.

In 2014, Cantú’s international appeal was highlighted when she was featured in Coca-Cola’s 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign with the single “The World is Ours,” included in the album One Love, One Rhythm. Her fourth studio album, #333, released in 2018, showcased her continued evolution as an artist.

Apart from her musical achievements, Cantú also ventured into acting. She appeared as a musical guest in the second season of El Show de los Sueños and starred in the Mexican series El Pantera. In 2013, she voiced the character of Gossip Girl in Gossip Girl: Acapulco.

In recent years, Cantú has continued to make significant contributions to music. In 2020, she participated in the charity single “Resistiré México” to support the Mexican people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her single “Bailo Sola,” released in 2022, further cemented her reputation as a versatile and enduring artist. Throughout her career, Paty Cantú has remained true to her roots while consistently pushing the boundaries of her musical and creative expression.