8 Fresh Colombian Artists to Kickstart 2025

When it comes to ringing in the New Year, the soundtrack in Colombia often evokes nostalgia, with iconic Venezuela-bound orchestras like the Billo’s Caracas Boys and Los Melódicos setting the tone for countless celebrations across the country. Their brassy fanfare and timeless melodies remain synonymous with dancing into the early hours of Año Nuevo.

This year, we’re giving tradition a twist, looking into the future of an already eventful year. Instead of sticking to these classic and highly respected big band hits, we’re starting 2025 by spotlighting fresh Colombian projects that are echoing the same joy and communal energy, while pushing the boundaries of sound into new and unexpected territories:

La Pambelé

La Pambelé is a contemporary salsa orchestra that embodies the fiery spirit of salsa brava—a style defined by its raw energy, intricate arrangements, and streetwise lyrics. Named after Colombia’s legendary boxer Antonio Cervantes “Kid Pambelé” , the band mirrors his grit and precision, delivering a heavy yet exhilarating take on vintage salsa.

The orchestra has carved a niche in both traditional and modern salsa landscapes, seamlessly moving between the rugged sounds of their classic influences—Markolino Dimond, Eddie Palmieri, and Edy Martínez—and contemporary live music platforms like its celebrated slot as the opening act for Marc Anthony at Bogotá’s Coliseo MedPlus in 2024. Their performances at other iconic events like Salsa al Parque and presence on Colombia’s Radio Nacional and Latina Stereo’s hit charts have further consolidated their place as torchbearers of salsa’s golden age, while giving it a vibrant new edge.

With their sophomore LP, Nací Mestizo, La Pambelé take their signature sound to new heights. This nine-track album merges the raw energy of 1970s salsa with narratives that reflect the vibrancy and struggles of contemporary Latin American neighborhoods. Featuring six original compositions and three reimagined classics—including a salsa-fueled take on Aterciopelados’ “Maligno” and a Spanish adaptation of The Specials’ “Ghost Town”—the record showcases the orchestra’s knack for balancing tradition with reinvention. Collaborations like Nicoyembe’s soulful contribution to the title track, further deepen the album’s roots, connecting the Afro-Colombian heritage of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts to salsa’s fiery urban pulse.

Ëda Diaz

Rising star Ëda Diaz is redefining Colombian folklore through her innovative fusion of traditional rhythms and contemporary textures. With roots in both Colombia and France, her music radiates a duality that bridges the earthy warmth of vallenato and bullerengue with the cool precision of electronic and experimental pop.

After causing a mild commotion a few years ago with her heartfelt rendition of Rafael Escalona’s timeless piece “La Casa en el Aire”, Her debut album Suave Bruta was a standout in 2024, crowned as the year’s best by top notch cultural hubs like El Enemigo.

Other tracks from her latest project such as “Tiemblas” breathe new life into classic elements, sampling Escalona’s accordion to create a hallucinogenic hybrid of vallenato psychedelia, while songs like “Nenita” and “Tutandé” push boundaries by blending traditional rhythms with reggaeton and club-ready guaracha beats. Collaborating with producer Anthony Winzenrieth, Ëda crafts music that’s as rooted as it is exploratory, offering a poetic and bold commentary on the modern human condition. Whether conjuring ancestral voices or building danceable soundscapes, Ëda Díaz stands at the forefront of Colombia’s musical evolution, infusing its traditions with a shimmering, avant-garde edge.

Gato ‘e Monte

From the heart of Bogotá, Gustavo Casallas’ project Gato ‘e Monte crafts raw, evocative music that seamlessly bridges the traditions of Colombia’s rural Andes and Llanos with the gritty realities of city life. His 2020 debut album, Gurbia, was a testament to his ability in blending introspective storytelling with diverse musical influences. Combining joropo and Boyacá’s very own rhymes (coplas) that he absorbed growing up with a distinct urban edge, his sound captures the complexity of displacement, migration, and cultural identity in a city shaped by its contrasts.

At the core of his music is the chiflamero, a custom instrument that embodies his experimental approach. Inspired by the bandola llanera but tailored to his unique style, it allows him to navigate effortlessly between traditional sounds and his own modern sensibilities. Gato’s live performances, often set against Bogotá’s bustling urban landscape, bring his storytelling to life, delivering songs that feel deeply personal yet universally resonant.

In 2024, Gustavo joined forces with Felipe Orjuela and his Nueva Estudiantina Electrónica for La Dosis Máxima, a critically acclaimed album that ventures into diverse currents of cumbia, punk, and norteño, pushing the boundaries of Colombia’s ever-evolving sonic spectrum. While Orjuela’s production provides a polished backdrop, it’s Gustavo’s poetic authenticity that shines through, grounding the project in heartfelt exploration.

lechedetigre

lechedetigre self-defines their sound as tragedia rock—an approach as eclectic as the elements that fuel it. Drawing from styles of Colombian cumbia, Peruvian chicha, and Argentinian villera, the group’s original approach blended these folkloric rhythms with ’90s house and French electro, plus other elements reminiscent of acts like national rock n’ roll icons Aterciopelados and reggae legends The Wailers. The result is a tapestry of sound that feels nostalgic yet innovative, intimate yet expansive.

Their latest album Las veces que quieras, is a testament to lechedetigre’s ability to create intricate immersive sonic worlds. Each track explores diverse textures and rhythms—dub, electropop, bolero, and more—all unified by their DIY production techniques. This approach gives the album a deeply personal and organic feel, balancing electronic beats with acoustic warmth.

Tracks like the album’s opener “Naufragio” exemplify the band’s knack for combining pop balladry with experimental flourishes, grounding their experimental sensibilities in the richness of Latin American folk.

Goyo

Gloria “Goyo” Martínez helped shape the sound of a generation as a member of ChocQuibTown. Tracks like “De Donde Vengo Yo” and “Somos Pacífico” presented a unique merge of hip-hop, funk, reggae, and electronic music with the traditional rhythms of Colombia’s Pacific coast, becoming anthems of identity and pride, and propelling the group to international acclaim and multiple Grammy wins.

The band’s contributions to the global recognition of Afro-Colombian music are immeasurable. From gracing the stages of events like SXSW and the Latin Alternative Music Conference to collaborating with artists across multiple genres, the group was a trailblazer for Colombia’s bubbling music scene at the start of the 2000s. Their unique blend of urban and folkloric sounds established a template that many artists continue to draw inspiration from today. Following ChocQuibTown’s disbandment in 2023, the singer has stepped into a solo career, exploring new creative territories. Her upcoming album, set for release in 2025, promises to delve into deeply personal and innovative spaces, drawing on two decades of experience at the forefront of Colombian music.

While her latest single, “Cuando Te Vi” leans toward a commercial pop aesthetic, its creation in London and deeply emotive narrative showcase Goyo’s ability to adapt and thrive in new musical territories. Though its polished production falls outside our habitual sonic ethos, the release is a significant milestone in her career, marking her triumphant re-entry into the global music conversation.

laurél

Emerging from the creative haze of the pandemic, laurél has quickly carved out her space in Colombia’s music scene. Though officially stepping onto the stage just a couple years ago, her sound reflects years of introspection, a journey where melancholy meets movement. The project’s sound transforms existential heartache into pop-infused gems designed for both reflection and the dance floor.

Originally from Medellín but now calling Bogotá home, she sees herself rooted in a blend of cultures and influences. Her live performances reflect this mix, featuring a full band with bass, drums, sequencers, backing vocalists, and guitars. While her lyrics delve into themes of sadness and self-discovery, the energy onstage aims to get her audience moving—bridging the gap between contemplation and joy.

Her breakout single “Ojos Miel”, created in collaboration with Paula Pera y el Fin de los Tiempos, evokes the nostalgia of ’90s pop with a romantic, dreamy undertone. It’s an anthem for anyone who has sought refuge and healing in the love of others. This track is part of her Amor y Brillitos EP, which features other rising female artists like La Pardo, More, and Camila Borrero, showcasing laurél’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices in music.

El Kalvo

For nearly a decade, El Kalvo has been capturing Bogotá’s raw, vibrant urban culture like very few artists. Through his deeply personal lyrics and vivid storytelling, he offers a window into the complexities of life in the Colombian capital—one tale at a time.

On Los Tres Golpes, his latest LP, El Kalvo paints a multifaceted portrait of the city. His collaboration with seasoned beatmaker Hi-Kymon creates a soundscape as layered as the stories within, blending rap, salsa, and urban grooves into a cohesive yet dynamic whole.

2024 was a landmark year for El Kalvo. Not only did he release one of the country’s most celebrated albums, but his performance at ostentatious stages like Estéreo Picnic cemented his reputation as a live act to watch. Beyond music, he stayed true to his community roots, hosting events like rap barbecues and collaborating with dancers, poets, and ambient producers.

El Kalvo embodies the hardworking spirit of Bogotá’s urban dwellers, turning what society may overlook into lyrical gold. His music has been transmuted into a love letter to the city that shaped him, and the stars he aims to reach.

Sara y Jacobo

Born from the crossroads of urban chaos and the need for creative refuge, Sara y Jacobo craft music that feels as personal as a handwritten letter. A collaborative project between vocalist Sara Cartwright and multi-instrumentalist/producer Jacobo Polanía (better known for his solo project Mente Orgánica), this duo merges the organic warmth of folk with contemporary sensibilities, creating soundscapes that feel both timeless and deeply rooted in everyday life.

While Jacobo made waves internationally in the late 2010s with his downtempo, Latin-infused beats, Sara brings a background steeped in jazz and a voice that exudes both vulnerability and strength. Together, they released their debut album Altar in 2023, a collection of songs born from their creative and personal partnership. Tracks like “Altar” and “Ojos Miel” demonstrate their knack for turning raw emotion into lush harmonies, blending acoustic guitars, delicate programming, and vocal interplay that’s as much about connection as it is about melody.

What makes the duo stand out is their authenticity. Their music doesn’t aim for grandiose declarations but instead focuses on life’s quiet, intimate moments—turning the mundane into something poetic. Whether it’s heartbreak, nostalgia, or the tentative joy of new beginnings, Sara y Jacobo’s work feels like a gentle reminder that beauty often lies in the simplest things.

As the new year unfolds, all of these projects remind us of the ever-evolving spirit of Colombian music—a blend of tradition and innovation, past and present, the familiar and the unexpected. As we step into 2025, we hope these voices guide you into a year filled with discovery, joy, and the enduring power of music to connect and inspire. Stay tuned as we dive headfirst into the 2025 festival season, bringing you exclusive features and notes on can’t-miss events like Festival Centro, Estéreo Picnic, and so much more. The year is just getting started, and the soundtrack promises to be unforgettable!

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