Legendary singer and cultural icon Chavela Vargas, 88, is about to receive a Latin Grammy award for her achievements in music. But according to Spain’s Publico, she doesn’t give a damn:

“I’m a little confused, because I don’t understand it. They are giving it to me now, after 40 years?”, the singer asked…

Without beating around the bush, the popular singer added that important awards have been given to her by the public, not by record companies. “I have one of the biggest awards that is given out and only one woman in Latin America has it, which is me: the Great Cross of the Order of Isabel la Católica,” the singer said proudly.

Chavela is referring to a 2001 award she received from the Spanish government, one of the highest distinctions given by Spain. She says that a Latin Grammy, in comparison, is nothing:

“After that [the Spanish award] I care little about so many things; dinky awards given by record companies so that their artists become famous…those have no importance,” said the veteran of Mexican music.

“Record companies have never given me anything, not even a tin record, so I don’t know why I have to be surprised and thank them so much. I’ve already won it many times over!”

Vargas hasn’t RSVPed on the invitation to the Latin Grammys but something tells me she might not show up. Hopefully VL will be there to report on this and many other Latin Grammy-related stories.

Via / Publico