San Francisco-based artist Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea, aka La Doña, has developed a unique blend of Latin, hip-hop, and reggaeton music that speaks from a feminist perspective. Current asked her twelve excavating questions to reveal how she moves through the world.
1. What's your hottest take?
People should come with reviews from their last three partners. Sure, your friends and family are gonna say nice things about you but I want to hear the worst, first. I am more than capable of ignoring red flags once presented but let me know summmm.
2. Who is your problematic fave?
Honestly, I love The Beatles. My mom grew up during Beatlemania, and as a hippie child raised without movies, TV and other references to pop culture, this was as close as I could get! I've never seen a Disney movie and don't know what Spongebob is but I can basically cosplay a teenager in 1964, no problem.
3. Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
I'm probably supposed to say music but the truth is that my greatest love is seeing all my friends and family eat the food I've made them while they exclaim how delicious it all is.
La Doña (Courtesy Bobby Gordon).
4. What are your sins?
I never went to church so I'm not sure but probably a little dash of most of them??? Like loving food and wine and sex and chisme, all the good ones. :)
5. How are you misunderstood?
People think I am really mean but I'm actually very very very sweet and sensitive.
6. If not yourself, who would you be?
My cat, chünkita.
7. When do you lie?
I lie when people are asking me for validation, acceptance or appreciation that is not organic but I would feel too mean denying them it.
8. Are you modern or postmodern?
Post modern and post most things cuz this girl OVERRRR IT.
9. What’s your greatest fear?
Dogs, men, rapists, being murdered.
10. Two things in your doomsday bunker?
Weed, butter.
11. You can only save one Bay Area city… which is it?
Justine Rose Armen is Bay Area Current’s culture editor. She is a writer, documentary film professional and nonprofit arts administrator based in Oakland.
