On a lively December night in Quito, Ecuador, the Mapogo Club—an LGBTQ bar known for its vibrant energy and inclusive spirit—pulsed with the distinctive rhythms of tecnocumbia. The spotlight was on Tierra Canela, a female group whose infectious songs and dance steps have made them icons not just in Ecuador but across Latin America. Their performance on December 9, 2023, wasn’t just another gig; it was a celebration of a musical genre that has transcended boundaries, reinvented itself countless times, and become a symbol of Latin American identity.
According to NPR, Tierra Canela’s rise to fame is emblematic of cumbia’s journey. Once considered the soundtrack of the working class, cumbia’s simple yet contagious rhythm has absorbed local styles, morphed, and reinvented itself over generations. The genre’s ability to adapt is perhaps its greatest strength. It has traveled underground through the veins of Latin America and, over time, spread throughout the world—from the remote villages of the Ecuadorian Andes to the bustling bars of downtown Los Angeles.
But what is it about cumbia that has allowed it to thrive across continents and cultures? The answer lies in its roots. Born from a cultural mix of African, Indigenous, and European influences, cumbia first emerged on the Colombian coast during colonial times. Like the people who created it, the music reflects a blending of histories, struggles, and celebrations. As Latin American migrants moved from rural areas to cities, cumbia accompanied them, crossing borders and continents, and evolving with each new generation.
The NPR bilingual special series, Cumbia Across Latin America, offers a deep dive into this musical phenomenon. Photographers and storytellers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky spent years on the road, documenting the people, places, and cultures that keep cumbia alive. Their journey, supported by the National Geographic Explorer Program, took them across six countries: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the United States.
Through their lenses, Gachet and Kashinsky capture the heart and soul of cumbia. The series features Picture Shows in both English and Spanish, providing a visual and auditory feast for audiences around the globe. A curated playlist accompanies the visuals, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the genre’s many forms—from traditional to modern, rural to urban, and everything in between.
What’s remarkable is how cumbia, once relegated to the margins as the music of the working class, has become one of the most listened-to genres in the Americas. It now symbolizes Latin American identity, uniting people across social classes and national borders. Tierra Canela’s viral popularity in Ecuador is just one example of how the genre has gained traction with diverse audiences. Their songs and dance steps resonate with everyone, from city dwellers to rural villagers, young to old, rich to poor.
As NPR highlights, cumbia’s journey is as much about migration and adaptation as it is about music. The genre has accompanied Latin American migrants on their journeys from rural homelands to urban centers, and eventually to new countries altogether. Along the way, it has picked up new influences, instruments, and rhythms, reflecting the ever-changing tapestry of Latin American life.
Take, for instance, the evolution of tecnocumbia—a modern offshoot that incorporates electronic sounds and dance beats. Groups like Tierra Canela have become icons of this movement, blending traditional cumbia rhythms with contemporary flair. Their performances are a testament to the genre’s enduring appeal and its ability to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Yet, cumbia’s story is not just one of survival; it’s a story of triumph. From its humble beginnings on the Colombian coast, the music has traveled underground, sometimes overlooked by mainstream media, but never forgotten by those who love it. It has found new life in unexpected places—Los Angeles bars, Peruvian dance halls, Argentine street festivals—each time morphing just enough to fit its new surroundings while retaining its core identity.
The NPR special series, with its bilingual approach and multimedia format, makes cumbia accessible to a wider audience than ever before. The Picture Shows offer a window into the lives of musicians, dancers, and fans who keep the tradition alive. The curated playlist invites listeners to experience the genre’s rich diversity firsthand. And the stories, told through the eyes of Gachet and Kashinsky, remind us that cumbia is more than just music—it’s a living, breathing part of Latin American culture.
Of course, the genre’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. As it has crossed borders and entered new markets, cumbia has sometimes faced resistance from purists who fear that modernization could dilute its essence. But if history is any guide, cumbia’s strength lies in its adaptability. The genre has always been a melting pot, absorbing and transforming influences from wherever it goes.
Today, cumbia stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Latin American communities. Its rhythms echo the journeys of migrants, the blending of cultures, and the power of music to bring people together. Whether heard in a small Andean village or a packed club in Los Angeles, cumbia continues to evolve—always changing, yet always unmistakably itself.
As Tierra Canela’s performance at the Mapogo Club showed, the genre’s appeal is as strong as ever. The group’s viral popularity across Ecuadorian social classes is a microcosm of cumbia’s broader journey—one that spans continents, generations, and identities. And thanks to projects like NPR’s Cumbia Across Latin America, the world is getting a closer look at the music, the people, and the stories that make cumbia an enduring symbol of Latin American identity.
With its roots in a rich cultural mix and its branches spreading across the globe, cumbia’s rhythm shows no signs of slowing down. The genre’s evolution is a reminder that music, like identity, is never static—it’s always on the move, always finding new ways to connect us all.
