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Electropical, a blend of Colombian folklore and modern music sounds

In Colombia, each musical rhythm pays tribute to its regions. That's why in the country of a thousand rhythms, joyful music becomes cultural heritage. A legacy that different musical groups are sharing with the world.

This is how Colombian artists have taken on the task of exploring and recreating the warmth of the Caribbean, inspired by unique places, mixing it with incredible percussion to the rhythm of house and techno music. The result: Colombian sounds that resonate on international stages.

Discover some representatives of this musical rhythm and its source of inspiration. And immerse yourself in Colombian music by visiting places and living experiences that you can only find in Colombia.

Systema Solar, a musical collective inspired by the Colombian Caribbean coast

Its members from different cities of Colombia such as Bogotá, Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla and Santa Marta, have found in Afro-Caribbean rhythms various ways to highlight the joyful music of the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Inspired by the local tradition of 'Pikós' (sound systems) and the Colombian popular parties called verbenas, this musical group rescues the tradition of Colombian cumbia, and other rhythms of Colombian music such as bullerengue, fandango, and champeta.

This is how Systema Solar takes as a reference the customs, oral expression, dance, colors, and energy that characterize Colombian parties like the Carnival of Barranquilla, to recreate a tradition of sound.

You might also be interested in the García Márquez route in the Colombian Caribbean.

Explore the proposal of this musical group by visiting the following destinations in Colombia

Roofs of buildings in Cartagena de Indias, a city that inspires a modern musical rhythm
Credit: ProColombia

View of the Church of San Pedro Claver in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

In Cartagena de Indias, you can feel part of the 'gravitational force' of Systema Solar, how? by dancing champeta. Immerse yourself in the culture of the Colombian Caribbean in places like Bazurto Bar Social Club in the Getsemaní neighborhood, where you can enjoy the vibrant sounds of this rhythm. Or also, taking a tour through the raizal neighborhoods of Cartagena to get to know the history of Colombian music up close, and even experience a traditional party of this Caribbean rhythm.

Another way you can discover this musical rhythm could be in the city of Barranquilla. Let yourself be mesmerized by its gastronomy, trying the best fried foods of the Colombian Caribbean coast. It's very likely that more than one will become your favorite.

ChocQuibTown, representatives of the folklore of the Colombian Pacific

‘Tostao’, ‘Goyo’ and ‘Slow’, who were born in the department of Chocó are the members of this musical group. Inspired by the Colombian Pacific, they mix urban sounds such as hip hop with rhythms of Colombian music such as currulao, bambazú, bunde, and Colombian salsa.

Capurganá beach is ideal to enjoy an authentic musical rhythm | Colombia Travel
Credit: Jess Kraft / Shutterstock.com

Jetty in Capurganá, Colombia.

Their name alludes to their land: Quibdó, of which they are proud to have been born and from which they draw inspiration when composing songs, highlighting its gastronomy, the joy and warmth of its people, their ingenious talent for dancing, as well as the diversity of musical instruments that exist in the region such as the marimba.

You might also be interested in: 5 paradisiacal places that could only exist in Colombia.

Feel the modern sounds of this musical group in the Colombian Pacific

A woman enjoys the musical rhythm of the Colombian Pacific at the Petronio Álvarez Festival
Credit: Ana María Soto

Vibrant colors and rhythms are enjoyed at the Petronio Álvarez Festival.

Immerse yourself in an incredible journey in one of Colombia's most important natural reserves. Discover Bahía Solano in Chocó, a place where you can enjoy beautiful beaches, jungle, exotic fauna and flora. Also, get ready to see the best natural spectacle with the whale watching. Explore another facet of this region through the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival , held in the city of Cali, an annual event dedicated to disseminating and preserving Colombian music from the Pacific region.

Ghetto Kumbé, a trio from the Colombian capital inspired by the Colombian Amazon

Bogotá was the meeting place for these three musicians, who to the beat of drums, Colombian cumbia, and electronic music beats create an authentic sound experience. Their proposal exposes the richness of Colombian rhythms, those that are felt and danced in the streets of cities like Cartagena de Indias and Barranquilla, merging with traditional African rhythms and techno music.

Women dancing at the Barranquilla Carnival, a festival that inspires a particular musical rhythm
Credit: ProColombia

A troupe during the Barranquilla Carnival celebration.

With their colorful animal masks that they always use in their performances, they pay homage to the Colombian jungle: as colorful as it is diverse. They draw inspiration from it to compose and convey a message in all their presentations: “we all belong to the jungle and thanks to it, we are one”.

Discover the sound of this musical rhythm by touring the green ocean of the Colombian Amazon

An indigenous person from the Colombian Amazon, a place that inspires a new musical rhythm
Credit: ProColombia

A representative of one of the indigenous communities inhabiting the Colombian Amazon.

Get in touch with the tropical rainforests of Colombia. Enjoy the adventure and ecotourism in the majestic Amazon River, discovering more than two million species, many of which are endemic. Dive a little deeper by getting to know the indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon, their rituals and beliefs, and most importantly, be amazed by their relationship with nature.

Discover the country through Colombian music, a fantastic source of inspiration that, when combined with modern sounds, reminds you of our fascinating cultural diversity.

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