11 Amazing Colombian Songs From the Narcos Soundtrack
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Colombians really don’t like Narcos. And they’ve got good reason to be unhappy about a show which rehashes some of the worst years of violence and conflict suffered by the country. One thing that’s hard to argue with when it comes to Narcos though, is the absolutely sizzling Colombian soundtrack, which features some of the country’s most legendary artists. So here are 11 amazing Colombian songs from the Narcos soundtrack.
Fruko Y Sus Tesos – Yo Soy el Punto Cubano
The Colombian salsa group Fruko Y Sus Tesos were formed in 1969 by the multi-talented Julio Ernesto Estrada – aka Fruko – and have recorded more than 42(!) albums to date. They really grew in popularity after iconic singer Joe Arroyo joined their ranks in 1973, and his voice can be heard center stage in this spicy salsa number – you can hear it in S01E09 of Narcos.
La Sonora Dinamita – Las Velas Encendidas
A popular cumbia orchestra who have recorded more than 20 albums since their first incarnation in 1960, La Sonora Dinamita have gone through many lineup changes over their nearly 50-year history, but one constant remains: they put out truly wonderful cumbia music! This hypnotic number dates back to the 1980s and can be heard in S01E05.
Los Corraleros de Majagual – founded back in 1962 – are considered some of the finest interpreters of classic Colombian Caribbean music, such luminaries as the aforementioned Fruko, Calixto Ochoa, Alfredo Gutiérrez and Eliseo Herrera featuring among their ranks. They play a large range of Caribbean genres, including cumbia, porro, gaita, paseo, cumbión and charanga. The track No tengo culpa can be heard in S01E07.
Son Palenque – Palengue Palengue
Son Palenque are a truly legendary Afro-Colombian band, founded in Cartagena in the early ’80s by singer and composer Justo Valdez. Their members all come from San Basilio de Palenque, a village steeped in Afro-Colombian culture and history, famed for being the first free slave settlement in the Americas. They play traditional Afro-Colombian genres, mixed with African and psychedelic touches, and are still going strong: their cracking new record Kutu Prieta pa Saranguia was released earlier this year. Palenque Palengue features in the penultimate episode of Season 1.
Rodolfo y Su Tipica RA7 – Tabaco y Ron
A major Colombian cumbia act, fronted by Rodolfo Aicardi, Rodolfo y Su Tipica RA7 had a strong run of hits in the late ’70s and early ’80s, and even made a pretty big international impact when Nescafé used their track La Colegiala in a French ad campaign. They recorded on the legendary Discos Fuentes label, and their contribution to the Narcos soundtrack can be heard during the end credits of the aforementioned penultimate episode.
Pedro Laza y Sus Pelayeros – Cumbia en el Monte
Pedro Laza was born in Cartagena in 1904, and became one of the most important figures in traditional Colombian music, particularly in the genres of cumbia, porro and fandango. He and his cumbia orchestra, the Pelayeros, rose to prominence in the 1950s and ’60s and were a huge inspiration to many similar groups that would follow them. The track Cumbia en el Monte features in the final episode of Season 1.
Peregoyo y Su Combo Vacana – El Mundo Al Reves
With their incessant guitar grooves, punctuated by thrilling bursts of sax and trumpet, Peregoyo y Su Combo Vacana famously fused the folk rhythms of their native Buenaventura – Colombia’s largest Pacific coast city – with classic Caribbean cumbia. This short but sweet track can be heard closing the opening episode of Narcos Season 2.
Afrosound – Tiro Al Blanco
Another project featuring the seemingly ubiquitous Fruko, Afrosound were a Colombian musical reaction to the 1970s Chicha music phenomenon in Peru and Bolivia. Chicha was basically a hybrid sound between cumbia and psychedelic rock, and Afrosound took it to a whole new – and wholly funky – level with their mind-melding blend of cumbia, funk, salsa, disco and Afro-Colombian rhythms. You can hear Tiro Al Blanco in S02E02.
The Latin Brothers – Buscandote
Fruko again! The man behind Afrosound and Fruko Y Sus Tesos founded The Latin Brothers in 1974, as a sort of ‘twin’ orchestra to his eponymous first group. The original lead singer Piper Pimienta – whose voice features on Buscandote – also worked alongside other popular salsa vocalists like Joe Arroyo and Joseito Martínez in The Latin Brothers. The song can be heard in S02E03.
Los Indigenas – Sangre Goajira
Not much is known about the cumbia group Los Indigenas, but their music speaks for itself: Sangre Goajira – or blood of the Guajira – is a classic Colombian cumbia track, heavy on the accordion and guacharaca – the scraping percussive instrument so common to classic cumbia – and features in S02E07 of Narcos.
Los Nemus del Pacifico – Lindas Y Bellas
A Colombian salsa band, Los Nemus del Pacifico are particularly known for their interpretations of the son montuno genre (a sub-genre of son cubano). Their secret weapon was the strong and distinctive vocal tone of Alexis Murillo, their lead singer, and they released many records on Discos Fuentes. The track Lindas Y Bellas features in the opening episode of the new season of Narcos.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
