7 Afro-Colombian Music Artists To Check Out
A significant part of Colombian identity and music comes from Africa
Photo: Unsplash/@zvandrei
A significant part of Colombian identity and music comes from Africa. However, not enough of a spotlight is shined on Afro-Colombian culture, artists, and their achievements. This primer will introduce you to some of the classic musicians, and newer groups, who represent the Afro-Colombian experience.
Totó la Momposina
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Joe Arroyo
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ChocQuibTown
ChocQuibTown is made up of Gloria “Goyo” Martinez, Carlos “Tostao” Valencia, and Miguel “Slow Mike” Martinez. It’s a hip-hop and alternative music band hailing from Chocó. They formed in 2000; some of their known songs are “De Donde Vengo Yo,” “Cuando Te Veo,” and “El Mar de Sus Ojos.”
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Profetas
Profetas—made up of Antombo Langangui and Pablo Fortaleza—is a hip-hop-alternative music duo. Active since 1997, their hits include “Chocolate,” “Tiempo,” and “Me Gustas.”
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El CaribeFunk
El Caribefunk, hailing from Cartagena, is a band that blends both Caribbean and funk music. Some of the songs members Funk-cho Salas Lopez and Andres Mordecai have created include “Rumba Del Tiempo,” “La Chamuyera,” and “Mi Burro.”
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Mitú
Mitú, with Franklin Tejedor and Julian Salaza, is an electronic music duo from Colombia (one half of who is Afro-Colombian—Tejedor). Their songs include “Solitario,” “Mercedez,” and “Atolon.”
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Petrona Martinez
Known as the “Queen of Bullerengue,” Petrona Martinez is an Afro-Latina who has been singing for decades, but received international fame in her 60s. Songs she has sung include “Las penas alegres,” “El Ventarron,” and “Rama de Tamarindo.”
