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Celebrating Cumbiafrica’s New Release: A Conversation on Music, Influence, and Future Aspirations

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Cumbiafrica, the dynamic musical duo, to celebrate the release of their new project under Universal France’s Decca label. With deep roots in both Colombian and African musical traditions, Cumbiafrica is making waves in the world of Afro Latin House. Here’s a deep dive into their journey, inspirations, and future plans.

A Stellar Year So Far

“What an incredible year it’s been!” begins Lina, one half of the duo. “We’ve put in a tremendous amount of work with our label, Producciones Alé Kumá. At the start of the year, we released ‘Carmelita Adiós’ with DJ Dean Mickoski. More recently, we dropped an EP titled ‘Sheel Sheel (Drone Song)’ in collaboration with Gaza Birds Singing, a children’s choir from Palestine. This EP is a part of a larger album called ‘Canciones de Resistencia’ (Songs of Resistance).”

As the summer approaches, Cumbiafrica is ramping up their release schedule, promising a new single every three weeks throughout the season. “All these tracks are part of an upcoming Afro Latin House album, set to be released very soon. There’s a lot of excitement in the air!”

The Origins of Cumbiafrica

“Cumbiafrica began in Colombia,” explains Leo. “I was already somewhat established, having collaborated with several folkloric icons like Martina Camargo. I met Lina, who was fresh out of acting school but had a rich musical background.”

Their journey took a pivotal turn during a two-month artistic residency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the deep cultural ties between Africa and Colombia became evident. Here, they absorbed local rhythms and sounds, ultimately giving birth to Cumbiafrica.

A Musical Evolution

When discussing their sound, Lina shares, “We truly wanted to blend what we love about both Afro-Colombian and contemporary African music. Genres like soukous, champeta, cumbia, soca, amapiano, and classic Afrobeats all play a significant role in shaping our style.”

Influences also stem from artists they admire, including Bomba Estéreo and Ginton, along with their all-time favorite, Stromae. “His work resonates so deeply with us; it highlights the dialogue between cultures and genres.”

Reimagining Batonga: A Tribute to Feminine Strength

One standout project has been their reimagining of “Batonga,” originally by the iconic Angélique Kidjo. “For us, it’s not just a song; it’s an anthem of resistance and female strength,” Lina emphasizes. They aimed to create a dialogue between their voices and languages, infusing original verses that encapsulate themes of rootedness and resilience.

The collaboration was made possible through Decca Records, which aims to reimagine classic songs to introduce them to a new audience.

Choosing Decca: A Natural Fit

“Leo has been at the helm of his producer project, Alé Kumá, for 25 years,” he shares. “With our transition from ethnic to contemporary African music and finally to dance music, Decca approached us to reimagine some classics. ‘Batonga’ was an ideal starting point for this exciting collaboration.”

The Role of Alé Kumá

To give their new track a more defined Latin House sound, Leo took the reins under his Alé Kumá alias while integrating Cumbiafrica’s essence. This strategic move has solidified their position as notable contributors to the Latin House movement.

Collaborating with HUGEL

Their partnership with DJ HUGEL emerged during the pandemic, a time of unexpected but fruitful collaborations. “He reached out, knowing about our work with Martina Camargo. What started as a reimagining of our track ‘Morenita’ quickly turned into a phenomenon—the ‘post-pandemic’ anthem for Latin house. We’ve continued to build on this relationship with tracks like ‘Águila.’”

Memorable Live Performances

Discussing their live performances, Lina recalls their pivotal gig at the Carnaval de Vinaròs in Valencia, which drew an audience of 10,000. “Watching the crowd sing along to our lesser-known tracks was incredibly emotional. It felt like our songs had truly become part of people’s lives. We’ll soon upload the concert to our YouTube channel for everyone to experience it.”

Inside Their Creative Space

Cumbiafrica’s studio setup has undergone significant transformation. “We’ve moved to a more sophisticated environment after years of working out of a modest home studio,” Leo reveals. Yet, nostalgia lingers for their first recording equipment, an old t.bone RB 500 ribbon mic, which continues to find a place in their creative process.

Advice for Aspiring Producers

When asked about advice for budding producers, their response is enlightening: “Always listen to musicians, especially those who may not be trained academically. Traditional musicians hold a wealth of knowledge that can enrich your production. If you don’t find the time to learn an instrument, collaborate with a musician friend who can guide you.”

What Lies Ahead for Cumbiafrica?

As they look to the future, Cumbiafrica remains focused on expanding their musical horizons. “We’re not only releasing new music on our label but also looking to deepen our collaboration with Decca Records,” Leo shares. “We envision a compilation album featuring collaborations with African artists, preserving the pillars of what makes Cumbiafrica unique.”

With a rich tapestry of influences and inspirations, Cumbiafrica is set to create a wave in the music industry, inviting fans to journey with them through their evolving sound and meaningful collaborations.