The Best of Colombia: 20 Artists You Need to Hear

No country has seen a bigger impact on Billboard’s Latin charts in the past two years than Colombia.

Once recognized for a few power acts, including Shakira, Carlos Vives and Juanes, Colombia has morphed into a pop music powerhouse, whose recent superstars include Maluma and J Balvin. But the South American nation is extraordinarily rich in musical genres and traditions that go beyond the pop and reggaeton you may have heard on the radio.

In honor of Colombian Independence (July 20), here is a list of the Colombian acts you need to hear (in no particular order):

Carlos Vives

Fruko y Sus Tesos

Toto la Momposina

Joe Arroyo

Shakira

Grupo Niche

J Balvin

La Sonora Dinamita

Juanes

Silvestre Dangond

Maluma

Bomba Estereo

Manuel Medrano

Jorge Celedón

Fonseca

Herencia de Timbiquí

Martina La Peligrosa

Chocquibtown

Peter Manjarres

 

 

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