Colombian MusicA popular genre of Colombian music was born out of a courtship ritual performed by the lower classes, featuring traditional dancing along with instrument playing by both men and women that was considered inappropriate until the mid 20th Century. This genre is Cumbia. CumbiaCumbia was made very popular throughout Colombia when it was refined by artists like Pacho Galan and Lucho Bermudez., creating “The Golden Age of Cumbia”. It became so popular in Latin America that we can say that Cumbia is an Icon of Latin Music’s Culture though, the genre itself has been altered after being mixed up with other countries’ cultures such as that of Ecuador and Mexico.This mixture of styles and cultures with Cumbia has been overshadowed by newer and more popular genres in Latin America (such as Reggaeton), and has lost followers as it’s considered an outdated style. Cumbia plays a big role in Colombian Music as it represents the country’s identity; especially the Caribbean coast, which is where the genre was born along with Vallenato, another popular genre that has been popularized thanks to musicians like Carlos Vives. Carlos VivesIn the 1990s, Carlos Vives mixed Vallenato with genres like pop, rock and other Colombian rhythms which was a critical success in Latin America, although Vallenato “scholars” or “purists” we’re not too happy with such a mix. His 1993 Album “Clasicos de la Provincia”, got him and his band “La Provincia” the Billboard Latin Music Best Album Award, therefore introducing this genre to Colombia and the world. Prior to that, it was an unknown genre as it was mostly notorious amongst farmers and other Colombian travelers who found singing to be the best entertainment they could get while working or traveling.One of the most recent milestones in Colombian Music is the addition of both Cumbia and Vallenato categories in the Latin Grammy Awards. Colombia has been the cradle for different actors, writers and even musicians that are pretty popular around the world. Musicians like Shakira and Juanes have been influential not just for their music, but for their actions as well. ShakiraShakira was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia and is one of the most popular Latin American musicians with Rock, Pop and Merengue. Singing both in English and Spanish, and known for her dancing, she has captivated the world with her productions which have given her a total of two Grammy Awards and seven Latin Grammy Awards, this way positioning Colombian Music all over Latin America and the rest of the world. With regards o her humanitarian actions, she has founded a Colombian charity with special schools for poor children all over Colombia called the Pies Descalzos Foundation. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for her commitment o Global Issues and her commitment with to helping children around the globe.JuanesJuan Aristizabal who is better known as Juanes, was born in Antioquia, Colombia and is known for his Rock and Pop productions that have earned him seventeen Latin Grammys and one Grammy Award. Besides having meaningful tracks, he is an activist in Colombia and has founded the “Mi Sangre” Foundation which that helps victims of anti-personnel mines all over Colombia.Medellin and CumbiaColombian Music like Cumbia may be old but there are Music Festivals all over Colombia that try to bring back the good old traditions so that people don't forget their roots. In the city of Medellin, both young and middle-aged people show a growing interest in rescuing the masterpieces from yesteryear. Cumbia numbers during festivals, or in ballrooms in Medellin are enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age and social status.Return from Colombian Music to Colombia Culture New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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