Rewriting the Rules: The New Wave of Women Expanding Pacific Music

Verito Asprilla, Analú and Reencarnación del Pacífico are turning heads in Colombia’s Pacific Coast music scene and beyond…

The infectious rhythms of Colombia’s Pacific Coast have been making waves for quite some time now, attracting an ever-growing international audience. Bands like Canalon de Timbiquí, Herencia de Timbiquí and Grupo Bahía, have pioneered the fusion of traditional rhythms with modern genres, blending ancestral Pacific sounds with contemporary elements. But now, a new generation of musicians is stepping into the spotlight, and they’re doing more than just reinterpreting tradition—they’re rewriting the rules.

While Pacific music has long been synonymous with instruments like the marimba and guasá (shaker), genres like reggaeton, dancehall, and hip hop have also found a home in the region’s thriving cultural landscape. As these genres gain popularity, a new wave of artists, particularly young women, are breaking away from the historical norms of Pacific music, notably within the realm of gender. 

Traditionally, the music of the Pacific Coast has been shaped by gender roles. Performances are conventionally led by the voices of women, or cantadoras, and with women playing instruments like the guasá, while men dominate the marimba and percussion sections. This division is not just cultural—it is deeply rooted in the religious and ritualistic settings of the music.

Yet, as the musical scene evolves, a powerful shift is underway. While the genre still boasts impressive male figures, it is now the women who are breaking free from tradition, claiming their rightful place within the music. The rise of female artists who are not only singing but also learning to master the marimba and percussion, once considered off-limits, is reshaping the musical landscape.

One of the most exciting aspects of this movement is the willingness of these women to push past societal and cultural boundaries. In communities where traditional music was often confined by gender, these musicians are creating new opportunities for both men and women to explore every aspect of the music. They’re not just challenging the stereotypes of Pacific music—they’re expanding it, creating a space where anyone, regardless of gender, can be an equal participant in the artistic process.

As the Pacific music scene continues to evolve, it’s clear that the future is female. These women are not just breaking the mould—they’re creating a whole new space for the next generation to follow. With their fierce talent, innovation and passion, they’re proving that the future of Pacific music is both boundless and inclusive.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the women carving this new era of music from Colombia’s Pacific Coast:

Verito Asprilla 

Tumaco’s rising star is probably the most well-known among the examples of female pacific musicians here. Due to her work with renowned record label, Discos Pacífico, Verito has taken on audiences in Bogotá, Germany, London and more. 

Describing herself as “a young resilient example of struggle,” Verito aims to be a role model for the youth in her community in Tumaco, Nariño. Her sound blends the traditional rhythms of the Pacific with modern urban genres like trap and rap. “My music is diverse, talking about everything from our traditions to the daily life of a young Black person,” she says.

Her lyrics are a bold statement of female empowerment: “I’m often underestimated,” Verito admits. “People think women can’t make music with strong beats. Or that trap and rap are only for men, but I’m here to prove them wrong.” Her work with Discos Pacífico has been pivotal, helping reignite her belief in herself and her mission to represent the untapped talent of Tumaco. 

Verito’s music speaks to both local and global audiences, with tracks like “Pa’ Que Bailen” and “No Soy Tu Princesa” already becoming anthems. “I want people to see all that we have to offer,” she notes.

Analú 

Singer, rapper, and songwriter, Analú is another dynamic female force hailing from Tumaco. Her music tells stories of Black communities in this region, infusing her blend of dancehall, rap, trap, reggaeton and afrobeat with the rich traditions and local slang of the Pacific region. “I express what it means to be an Afro-urban artist making music from the ‘periphery’ of the country,” she says, emphasising her roots.

Analú’s music showcases both everyday experiences of Black communities in Tumaco and the strength of female empowerment. “I admire what women represent in society, and I want to highlight that in my work,” she says. The artist highlights the creative potential of women from her region. “There’s still a need to give more visibility to women’s contributions … We still have little presence, and not all artists see us as equals,” she says, determined to change that. 

Analú has worked with a range of talented male musicians, including renowned traditional artist Juan Carlos Mindinero (Cankita), who was the first to believe in her talent. “I’ve worked with him since the beginning,” she says, also mentioning collaborations with DJ Peso, DJ Bunde, and others. “They’ve all made valuable contributions to the development of my project,” she adds, recognizing the importance of these partnerships in her journey. “Just like me, all women deserve to be supported,” she affirms.

Reencarnación del Pacífico

Reencarnación del Pacífico is a new music group on the Guapi scene. Since its founding in 2019, the group has embraced both intergenerational collaboration and a commitment to breaking down gender barriers for future generations. Among its core members are Jessianber and Claudia Vanessa.

Jessianber, like most women in the region, started making music by learning to sing and play the guasá, while her brother learned the marimba and percussion. But inspired by her brother’s musical growth, Jessianber decided to venture into learning the marimba, an instrument traditionally played by men. “It’s not easy to find a marimbera (female marimba player) … I was very scared at first to play the marimba. It’s much more complicated than the other instruments,” she says. 

Jessianber’s dedication has not only helped her become a rising female star on the marimba, but also sparked change in her community. “Before, women weren’t really allowed to interpret the marimba,” she explains. “But this gave me a lot of motivation to learn, and I wanted to inspire other girls to do the same.” 

Growing up in Guapi, a small town where opportunities for women in music were once limited, Jessianber feels deeply grateful for the support of her community. “Being a musician in Guapi, honestly, isn’t that easy. But it’s been marvellous,” she says. “Now there are more women learning the marimba, but not as many as I would like,” she says, adding that fostering female solidarity is key to inspiring even more women to take up traditionally male-dominated roles in music.

Claudia Vanessa de San Vidal, another driving force behind Reencarnación del Pacífico, is a social worker and percussionist committed to preserving the traditional sounds of the Pacific while fighting for women’s rights. Vanessa’s own musical journey has been marked by defiance against gendered norms. “There were many myths around women learning to play percussion,” she recalls. “They said, for example, that the marimba was a very difficult instrument for women, that we’d embarrass ourselves if we played it.” But Vanessa, undeterred by such limitations, delved deep into learning the percussion instruments of the Pacific.

Vanessa’s experience has sparked a shift in how young girls approach music in their communities. “When they saw a woman playing the marimba, girls began to come forward wanting to learn it,” she says. “Girls started to want to play the marimba and cununo (drum)—in other words, the roles were reversed … It helps children realise that everyone can do it,” Vanessa explains. 

For Jessianber and Vanessa, music is about more than just sound—it’s about creating change. As Vanessa puts it, their work has the power to transform communities: “This helps people from the communities and the territory to strengthen their economy.” Going beyond redefining the role of women in the traditional music of Colombia’s Pacific coast, Reencarnación del Pacífico, which has both male and female members, believes in a collective approach where “everyone learns everything, every instrument,” says Jessianber. Together, they are not only keeping the traditional music of the Pacific alive but also pushing it into new, inclusive spaces where gender and age no longer limit potential. 

By challenging stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and empowering the next generation, Reencarnación del Pacífico is redefining what it means to be a woman in Pacific music. “Instruments don’t have a gender,” Vanessa says. “It’s about losing the fear and knowing that we can all learn.”

Follow Sounds and Colours: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mixcloud / Soundcloud / Bandcamp

Subscribe to the Sounds and Colours Newsletter for regular updates, news and competitions bringing the best of Latin American culture direct to your Inbox.

Share: