Colombian Songs to Get Your Hips Moving

J Balvin - Medellín

Already loved for his irresistible party-starting tracks like Mi Gente, J Balvin once again takes the world by storm with his latest album Colores. The Medellín-based singer’s new release has topped Latin charts, prompting a new collaborative series of live performance videos with Vevo.

Check out the brand new visuals for Amarillo, featuring a live recording of J Balvin’s infectious reggaeton vocals, and keep your eyes peeled for performances of Azul, Negro and Rojo to follow next week.

Bomba Estéreo - Bogotá and Santa Marta

Bomba Estéreo deliver a whirlwind of traditional salsa and cumbia rhythms driven by electronic beats. The result is something like psychedelic pop, or what the band themselves label ‘tropical elegance’. While the group was founded in Bogotá by Simón Mejía, the lead singer Li Saumet is native to Santa Marta and their music often has a distinctly Caribbean feel.

Don’t miss the video for Somos Dos, set in the paradisiacal Costeño Beach of Tayrona National Park, which captures the serene laid-back beauty of the region.

Shakira - Barranquilla

You couldn’t do a round-up of Colombian artists without the She Wolf herself. Hailing from Colombia’s carnival capital, Barranquilla, Shakira’s music explodes with celebratory energy that is bound to get you moving. Her original hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Whenever, Wherever shone an international spotlight on Latin music and paved the way for countless other artists.

Try listening to Chantaje, a collaboration with fellow Colombian star Maluma. The track is itself completely alluring, but it’s worth watching the music video just to see Shakira inexplicably walking her pig through an off-license on a diamante lead.

ChocQuibTown - Quibdó

Tired of the negative portrayals of their hometown, the unstoppable Afro-Colombian trio ChocQuib Town have brought the Pacific Coast to the public eye for all the right reasons. Their name incorporates the department of Chocó and its capital Quibdó, a city alive with Afro-Caribbean musical influences, where all three of the band’s musicians grew up.

Discover one of their first hits, De Donde Vengo Yo, with punchy, lilting rhythms made all the more powerful by politically-charged lyrics. Or if you’re looking to practice your salsa steps, be carried away by the fiery sway of Salsa & Choke, best enjoyed at full volume.

Caribefunk - Cartagena

Proudly representing Cartagena, Caribefunk make music that feels like the sun on your face. Watch the video for La Chamuyera and you’ll cycle through the vibrant, muralled streets of the old colonial city. Or enjoy the passionate vocals and deliciously upbeat tempo which weave together harmoniously in Camina Maria. Either way, Caribefunk have an irresistibly relaxed flow which is sure to leave you smiling.

Journey Latin America offers an incredible range of holidays in Colombia. Discover dramatic landscapes and charming towns on our Weaverbird or Chachalaca Escorted Group Tours. Or let us tailor-make a bespoke holiday based on your specific needs -get inspired with our off-the-beaten track and self-drive itineraries.