Colombian Singers: Who to Listen to Before Your Trip

Famous Colombian Singers Playing Salsa

Salsa is an energetic style of music and dance that originated in Cuba and is heavily influenced by African rhythms. In Colombia, especially in Cali, salsa has become a true cultural phenomenon—so much so that Cali is considered the world’s salsa capital.

Here’s a selection of famous Colombian artists who’ve mastered the salsa genre:

Joe Arroyo

For Colombians, Joe Arroyo—fondly called El Joe—is a legendary figure. Although he passed away in 2011, his legacy endures. He’s one of the most influential voices in 20th-century Latin American music.

If you want to feel the essence of his music, listen to La Rebelión, one of his best-known songs, which narrates the story of enslaved Africans’ struggle for freedom. Its vibrant, irresistible rhythm makes it a salsa classic.

Grupo Niche

Founded in Bogotá in 1979, Grupo Niche later moved to Cali, where they became leaders in salsa music. Over the years, they earned multiple Latin Grammy nominations and even a win.

Their album Cielo de Tambores made it onto the prestigious list of the 50 best Latin albums of the past 50 years.

For a taste of their sound, check out their Grammy-winning album 40.

Fruko y sus Tesos

Formed in Medellín in 1970, Fruko y sus Tesos rose to fame when Joe Arroyo joined their ranks. Their music gained popularity far beyond Colombia, reaching audiences across Latin America and the U.S.

Their iconic song El Preso—with its contrast between dark lyrics and upbeat rhythms—has been described as a world salsa anthem.

Colombian Singers Playing Pop

In the late 90s, Latin pop emerged in Colombia by blending traditional sounds with global pop influences. The result? Catchy rhythms, emotional lyrics, and international success. Here are some of Colombia’s biggest stars in this genre:

Carlos Vives

A pioneer in Colombian Latin pop, Carlos Vives became a household name with his modern take on traditional Colombian music, like vallenato. His version of La Gota Fría, a vallenato classic, is a must-listen.

For something more recent, check out his collaborations with Ricky Martin (Canción Bonita) or Shakira (La Bicicleta).

Fun fact: He was a telenovela actor before becoming a Colombian singer.

Shakira

You already know her—Shakira, the global superstar famous for her voice, hip-shaking moves, and countless hits. Besides her pop hits, she collected numerous awards, including multiple Latin Grammys.

If you haven’t heard it in a while, revisit Whenever, Wherever, a track that defined early 2000s Latin pop.

Shakira made a powerful comeback in the music world following her breakup with Pique—you’ve probably heard about it.

Camilo

Known for his romantic lyrics, Camilo mixes Latin pop with urban sounds. His bohemian style and signature mustache make him stand out visually, but it’s his music that steals the show.

Listen to Tutu or 999, his collaboration with Selena Gomez, to get a feel for his vibe.

Andrés Cepeda

Once a rock band member, Andrés Cepeda (Aleja’s favorite) successfully transitioned into a solo Latin pop artist. His hit Lo Mejor que hay en mi Vida earned him critical acclaim and several Latin Grammy nominations.

Cepeda also loves mixing formats—his live shows often combine music with theater.

Monsieur Periné

Formed in 2007, Monsieur Periné blends gypsy jazz, swing, and pop into a style that’s uniquely theirs.

Fronted by Catalina García (from Cali), their music is upbeat, eclectic, and perfect for those who love experimentation.

Check out Ton Silence, a standout track from their award-winning album Hecho a Mano.

Fun fact: The group’s eccentric name was inspired by a joke about the French term “périnée” to which they added “Monsieur” for a refined, French touch.

Juanes

You probably know Juanes for his hit Camisa Negra, but his repertoire goes far beyond that. His music often addresses social issues like inequality and peace, earning him a spot among Latin America’s most respected artists.

His song A Dios le Pido became a peace anthem, and he’s won numerous Latin Grammy Awards throughout his career.

Colombian Singers Playing Reggaeton

Reggaeton, a genre blending Caribbean beats, hip-hop, and dancehall, started in Panama but flourished in Puerto Rico before becoming a Colombian specialty. Today, Medellín is one of the world’s reggaeton hubs, producing global stars like:

J Balvin

Dubbed the “Prince of Reggaeton,” J Balvin is one of Colombia’s best-known reggaeton ambassadors. Known for his colorful style and genre-blending experiments, he’s racked up countless hits and awards.
You’ve probably danced to Ritmo, his global hit with the Black Eyed Peas.

Karol G

No, it’s not just men who sing the sounds of Reggaeton loud and clear, as proved by the multi-award-winning singer and songwriter nicknamed the “new Shakira.”

This Colombian singer-songwriter draws her inspiration from the urban culture of Medellin, her native city.

Karol G has the reputation of being a militant artist, fighting for the recognition of female urban music singers on an equal level with their male music counterparts.

Even if you’re not a Barbie fan, listen to Watati; Karol G sings the soundtrack.

Maluma

Meet a phenomenon that has been shaking up Latin music since 2011.

After all, this Medellin native had a good idea when he decided to give up his football career.

Musically, Maluma is a chameleon, blending reggaeton with other urban genres. Think of him as the Colombian Justin Timberlake, one of his significant influences with Daddy Yankee.

Among his hits that won him several Grammy awards, listen to Chantaje, a duet with Shakira.

Maluma is very active on social networks, and he uses his platform for social activism, like addressing racism against Latinos in the U.S.

Sebastián Yatra

Sebastián Yatra is the perfect romantic singer, and Colombians love romance. 

As proof, the song Traicionera, the hit that brought him international success in 2016, or Como mirarte, one of his greatest hits.

With a velvet voice, this Colombian singer blends traditional lyricism with modern reggaeton vibes. 

Yatra studied music in the United States, where his parents moved when he was a kid. He started composing songs at a very young age.

He ventured into the world of dubbing, lending his voice to characters in animated films.

Colombian Singers Playing Cumbia

Cumbia is Colombia’s signature music style, born from blending African, indigenous, and Spanish influences in the 17th century. It’s more than music—it reflects Colombia’s soul.

Bomba Estéreo

Bomba Estéro is one of the most festive groups on the international scene. 

This Colombian duo, led by the vocals and energy of Li Saumet, is known for its eclectic mix of electro and Caribbean music.

Their song Fiesta, remixed by American superstar Will Smith, reflects the essence of the carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia’s biggest carnival. In 2022, their track Ojitos Lindos, with the Porto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, reached 10 million views on YouTube in just five days.

Totó La Momposina

Now, hats off to the Grande Dame of Colombian Cumbia!

Born to a percussionist father and a singer mother, Toto’s childhood was steeped in Colombian music.

She became famous for breathing new life into traditional Caribbean music such as cumbia, porro, and mapalé. Her songs tell the stories of simple people. I never tire of listening to El Pescador.

She owes her stage name “Toto” to the sound she made banging on a drum as a child and “Momposina” to where she grew up, Santa Cruz de Mompox, in northern Colombia. 

The 83-year-old legend with a powerful voice gave her last concert in Bogota in 2022 after a 60-year career.

Andres Landero

If Cumbia has its queen, then it’s only fair that it has its king.

Andrés Landero grew up in a family of musicians and learned the accordion at a young age.

If you want a taste of his talent, listen to La Hamaca Grande, a hit from the Colombian repertoire.

His first accordion was bought from Pacho Rada, a legendary Colombian accordionist and ambassador of the Vallenato.

The King of Cumbia retired in 2000 but remains a model for Cumbia lovers.

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto is a Colombian musicians group formed in the mid-1950s, known for blending indigenous, African, and Spanish influences and playing instruments like Gaïtas, maracas, and African drums.

The group owes its name to the Gaïta, a mix between the flute of black African slaves and the Colombian peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. I’m sure you’re familiar with its distinctive sound.

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto sings their love of their native land, and their fame has spread beyond Colombia’s borders.

Now listen to Un Fuego de Cumbia; close your eyes; you’re in the Andes.

Colombian Singers Playing Pacific Coast Music

Let’s move to the Pacific coast of Colombia, whose music is a pure example of the cultural mix between indigenous peoples, Spanish colonists, and African slaves.

All these influences give rise to a style that could be described as Afro-Colombian, blending the sound of typically Latin American musical instruments such as the Merimba, a kind of xylophone, and the Bundé, a drum from Kenya.

Here are two popular Colombian bands that perfectly illustrate the musical soul of this region.

Chocquibtown

ChocQuibTown, a Colombian trio, blends American hip-hop, Jamaican reggae, and traditional Colombian rhythms, such as Salsa, to create a unique sound with very rhythmic and colored tempos.

The best way to discover their music, which is very popular with young people, is to listen to their hits like Somos Pacifico.

Their original, upbeat music has taken them on international tours, and they won several Latin Grammys.

The group owes its name to their hometown, Quibdo, in the department of Choco in northwest Colombia, the only department in the country bathed by both the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Herencia de Timbiqui

Herencia de Timbiqui is a folk band of 11 Colombian musicians who harmoniously blend traditional coastal music, such as Currulao, with the urban sounds of funk produced by electric guitars and keyboards. 

Listen to Caleño for a romantic musical break, as Colombians love it.

Timbiqui is the name of a municipality on the Pacific coast in the department of Cauca, where the band’s members originate.

As proof of their success, they collaborated with Carlos Vives, the Colombian pop star you already know.

Colombian Singers playing Vallenato

Declared UNESCO Immaterial Cultural Heritage in 2015, this musical genre combines European, indigenous, and African influences.

The 3 instruments that form a vallenato band are a perfect illustration of this mix: the European accordion, the Guacharaca of the indigenous peoples, and the Caja, an african drum.

Every year, the best Vallenato artists compete for the title of “Rey Vallenato” at the Vallenato Legend Festival in Valledupar, in the northeast of the country.

Diomedes Diaz

Diomedes Díaz was a Colombian Vallenato legend, the best-selling Vallenato artist in history.

Born into a rural family, his musical vocation was influenced early on by his uncle, who was a composer.

As a kid, he sang to scare birds away from cornfields and even traded songs for coffee with neighboring indigenous people. One of his most famous songs is Cariñito de mi vida.

He owes his nickname “El Cacique de La Junta” to another famous Colombian singer, Rafael Orozco. The two were friendly rivals in Valledupar, joining in on numerous parties (parrandas), spending the night singing tales of their adventures to vallenato melodies.

Alejo Durán

This Colombian musician and singer-songwriter was nicknamed “El Rey negro del accordeon“.

If you want a taste of his talent, listen to Fidelina.

At the age of 23, when he was a farm boy, he was fascinated by the voices of cowboys singing traditional songs. He learned the accordion by watching others play.

He is known for his performances full of popular interjections such as “Apa!”, “Hombe!” and “Aaay! ».

Jorge Celedon

This Vallenato artist began his musical career at a young age when his uncle Daniel Celedón, another Colombian Vallenato singer, invited him to sing with him on stage.

First, as part of a group, then solo, Jorge Celedon scored numerous hits and won Latin Grammy Awards.

His immense success with Esta Vida is a fine example of his talent.

He sang Nuestra Fiesta, the official song of the 2011 FIFA World Cup.

Rafael Orozco

Rafael Orozco Maestre was a Colombian Vallenato legend, best known for his work with the iconic group Binomio de Oro de América.

He initially aspired to be an accordionist like his father but finally turned to a singer career.

The duo won multiple awards with their first song, La Creciente, including at the Carnaval de Barranquilla.

Orozco was gunned down, a crime probably linked to a love triangle involving a Medellin cartel hitman.

His life inspired the 2014 telenovela “Rafael Orozco, el ídolo.” 

Silvestre Dangond

Silvestre Dangond, dubbed “La Voz de Colombia,” is a powerhouse in the New Wave Vallenato scene. 

His musical roots trace back to his father, a Vallenato singer, and his musically inclined mother. 

If you’re not already familiar with his repertoire, I suggest you listen to Casate Conmigo, a track from his album ‘Esto es Vida‘, named the best Vallenato album.

More Colombian Singers

The Colombian music scene also counts very popular artists who draw their style from other different traditional Latin American music genres.

Here’s a small selection.

Jessi Uribe – Ranchera music genre

Jessi Uribe’s repertoire and sounds are directly inspired by the Ranchera, a traditional Mexican music style whose main element is the cord instrument, played by Mariachi bands. He was spotted on “Voz Colombiana”, a famous TV talent show in Colombia.

He gets his inspiration from his father, a musician in a Mariachi band who used to take him when he played in cafés.

Listen to one of his best hits, Dulce Pecado, to understand his style. 

In his videos, Jessi likes to dress up in the regional costumes of Mariachi musicians.

Systema Solar – Caribbean genre

Systema Solar is a Colombian music collective formed in Santa Marta, known for its party-centric sound that blends Caribbean rhythms, champeta, cumbia, vallenato, and salsa into a genre they call “berbeneutika”.

If you want to discover their highly mixed style, listen to Yo voy ganao; you’ll surely get dancing.

Since 2006, they have performed on several international stages and collaborated with renowned artists. They opened for Shakira’s El Dorado Tour in 2018.

Although always festive, their music often carries social and political messages. Their single La Rana aims to draw the public’s attention to the need to recycle waste.

Mr Black – Champeta genre

The repertoire of this popular Colombian singer is inspired by the Champeta, a very seductive musical style of the 70s. 

Champeta originated in the communities of descendants of black slaves living in the poor neighborhoods of Cartagena de Indias. 

Mr Black is one of those Colombian artists, like Bomba Estereo, who revisit traditional musical styles, giving them a more urban sound and making them increasingly popular in Colombia.