She was born Linda Viera Caballero on March 9 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but we know her as La India. Her classic ’80s hit “I Can’t Get No Sleep” to her tropical chart topping “Sedúceme,” have helped India make a name for herself in the music biz. This Grammy nominee has worked with eveyone from Tito Puente to Marc Anthony. Now she’s gearing up for a tour with Club Papi slated to begin on March 20, which will have her traveling from coast to coast, hitting Miami, Houston, Chicago San Diego and San Francisco. For you San Diegans, La India will be performing at Rich’s Friday, March 23.

I recently chatted with La Princessa de la Salsa who filled me in on her new tour, who she’ll dedicate her performances to and how she became known as La India.

Rocket: Why is this upcoming tour so important to you?

La India: Just being able to perform for the gay community is always special for me. This year, I am dedicating all of my performances across the country to my dear friend Willie Ninja, who will always be remembered. He passed away last year. When I get up on stage and sing for the gay community, I won’t help but think of him. He was a people person just like me. I’ve known him since his early days as a backup dancer for me in the ’80s. He used to train so many models from Iman to Naomi. Madonna was a fan of his when he vogued. He was a big part in creating that.

Rocket: What will you be performing?

LI: A lot of my tropical hits that a lot of people love. The gay community wants me to go back to the early days to sing those dance songs that they remember. It will be a mixture of all the years. There’s going to be a couple of surprises. I am going to be collaborating with some of the best dancers. It’s going to be a “let your hair down tour.” We will be having a great time.

Rocket: What city are you most looking forward to visiting?

LI: I can’t wait to go to San Diego. I am excited that we’re going. Of course, I’d also love to go back to San Francisco.

Everybody knows that I love to sing and make everyone feel good. I hope that energy rubs off onto everyone.

Rocket: Is there a particular song you enjoy to sing?

LI: “Love and Happiness.” For some reason I feel so happy when I sing that song. I feel very liberated and free.

Rocket: I must say that my favorite song you sing is “Dicen Que Soy.”

LI: That is a great song. People don’t understand that if you can cause an impact, well, then, you must be doing something good. Let them say what they want to say. That’s what it’s about. The public doesn’t know that it’s one of my favorites and very therapeutic.

Rocket: I’ve read that your grandmother was a big inspiration in your life.

LI: Yes, she was a huge inspiration. Her name was Justa Guadalupe and she was a very soulful person that loved everyone and believed in being a humanitarian. She would cook a huge pot of rice and would give it to the needy. I grew up with that spirituality. It was my grandmother who taught me to be a giver. Someone out there needs you. She was a firm believer in God loving everyone. I don’t believe it when people say God is prejudice. Whether we’re black, white, yellow, green, handicap, God loves us all. She taught me that.

Rocket: When did you know that you wanted to be a singer?

LI: I loved singing since I was a little girl. I did not know that singing would change my whole life. People would hear me and say that I had a great voice. I learned at an early age to dominate this fear that I had inside. I used to be so scared. I had to break away from that. My grandma was like: “Get over it. Shake it off!”

Rocket: How did you get the name La India?

LI: I have to blame my grandma. She was a gospel singer and was always calling me that. People would often ask if I had gone to the salon to get my dark exotic look. Back in the days at the bodegas, I would hear, “There goes the Indian girl.” I am actually the first artist to register that name. There is another artist called India.Arie. I don’t think she knew that the name already existed when she first hit the music scene. I sent her a legal letter and asked her to respect the fact that she is from a different category. I own the trademark India. They had to add Arie. Everyone calls me La India, but it’s actually India. Once in a blue moon, I do have to remind her that I am India!

For more information on La India and her upcoming performance at Rich’s on Friday, March 23, visit www.clubpapi.com or www.richssandiego.com.