Who is ChocQuibTown?

0
6282
Colombia hip hop band ChocQuibTown release a new album this month.
Colombia hip hop band ChocQuibTown release a new album this month.

It took a few beats from their hit single ‘Somos Pacifico’ to have the crowd up in arms, waving fists at a stage in an ebb and flow, and jostling for space on the dance floor. On a wet night in the Colombian capital, ChocQuibTown are the headlining act at a private show with vocalists Slow, Goyo and Tostao doing what they do best: Sing to a full house.

ChocQuibTown is one of the most innovative bands to emerge in recent years from Colombia, captivating fans with a blend of Hip-Hop, salsa and marimba-infused rhythms. The fusion of sound is part social inclusion, part digital innovation, from a group whose roots originate in the Colombian Pacific and a department of staunch Afro traditions.

The capital of Chocó, Quibdo, is the gateway to the immense beauty of rainforests, the Atrato River with its quiet estuaries and isolated towns. It is also a city where gain has come at the expense of others, through exploitation mostly: The encroaching jungle a frontier for land speculation and mining. As a magnet of industry and humanity on the run (many displaced forced to live in encroaching slums), Quibdo is also a looking glass on Colombia’s Afro hardships, but also its warmth and hospitality. Hence, the dual message of the band’s hit single – ‘Somos Pacifico’ – is a reaffirmation of identity and a battle cry for peaceful existence.

Quibdo, like the band, is about the barrio: The wooden shanties where music reigns and is an essential part of daily life. “Music is our common language,” claims songwriter Slow.

Despite the violence that has engulfed the Chocó during the 1980s and 90s, Goyo, Tostao and Slow recall a happy childhood playing basketball and vinyls. Tostao’s father, Miguel Moreno, accumulated a music collection of over 500 LPs and known as ‘El Conde’ would play DJ in the neighborhoods, thanks to his loud speakers and capacity to get his hands on the latest tracks from the U.S. When El Conde (The Count) wasn’t playing Michael Jackson, Tostao was learning the lyrics and chord sequences. “I lived between the music and the land,” he recalls.

Immersion in music for the three band members began at an early age. For Tostao it came with his father fixing stereos. As part of the annual religious festivities to San Pacho – patron saint of Quibdo  – Tostao found his voice singing in street parades and traditional music ensembles. For Goyo and Slow – (brother and sister from Condoto), music seemed as natural as diving in the San Juan River or watching miners pan for gold. With the prospectors came other musical influences such as vallento and cumbia.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-6]

There is a force behind the music of ChocQuibTown. Besides their strong percussions and up-beat melodies, the three sing in unison of harsh social realities ; their native city and the Afro-Colombian people who throughout centuries, have contributed to the development and cultural richness that is Pacifico. ChocQuibTown may imply certain places, but it’s about  the music of identities;  and which the band members have taken to the four corners of the earth. “Maybe one day” remarks Tostao, “our Chocó will be as well-known as 42nd Street.”

The road out of the Chocó for the band began when Tostao wanted to create in Cali an association of young rappers who had talent yet needed guidance. Teaming up with childhood friends Goyo and Slow, the three managed to get their hands on a computer and started arranging their first tracks. The historic influence of salsa in Cali and a “big band” sound inspired them musically, but theirs was to be a different music, one where Pacific instruments would fuse with digital technology. The influence of 90’s rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Tupac, broke the mold that regional music wasn’t just about folk and festivals.

Strong musical production and powerful lyrics worked in favour of ChocQuibTown. Slow learned how to mix fast beats on a computer and Goyo and Tostao put together the lyrics and melodies.  As Afro-Colombian artists, they yearned for a larger following than one Cali could give; so they took a decision to move to Bogotá and work with musicians in the capital who could appreciate their knowledge of traditional Pacific beats.

Bogotá proved to be a good start for the band and after winning the local Hip-Hop al Parque in 1994, the three members of ChocQuibTown used a grant to head into the recording studio and cut their first demo. While embarking on a musical career, Pedro Moreno (Tostao), Gloria Martinez (Goyo) and brother Miguel (Slow) finished their degrees. Gloria is a Psychologist from the IberoAmerican University, Pedro a Social Communicator from the Central University and Slow finished Audio Production studies at a technical institute. “For the people of the Pacific, it is very important that one follows through on eduction,” states Goyo.

The three musical musketeers have consolidated a friendship and share not jus a creative vision but childhood memories. Tostao and Goyo started dancing ever since they can remember. “I was thrust into the local contests at age of five” she recalls. We dressed in colorful outfits embroidered with stars.”

Gloria Martinez is now a bright star on the international music scene; accompanied by Miguel and Pedro, the three make it a point to perform in the Chocó. They sing to sold-out soccer stadiums across this department and Tostao was named Person of the Year for the Chocó in 2009: A distinction he takes seriously, as it is uncommon for a musician to be nominated over politicians and power brokers. Goyo and Slow are honorary citizens of their hometown, Condoto.

With the release of their first album ‘Somos Pacfico’ came a string of hit singles and beautifully shot videos. Filmed on location in the gold mines of Condoto and the streets of Quibdo, ChocQuibTown, started getting time on the airwaves. While Colombian music abroad is associated with Shakira and Juanes, the Pacific band raises eyebrows with concert managers booking them for international gigs. The trio sell out venues from London to Warsaw. Being on the road and performing in almost every European capital is satisfying, yet for Tostao, it doesn’t offer time to take in the sights. “I have played in the world, but I don’t know anything,” he says flashing a smile during a photo shoot.

Positive vibes rub-off with fans. From their hymn to the gold rush in ”Oro” to a pulsating ‘Cha Cha Cha,’ ChocQuibTown is always a band to watch when awards season rolls in. In 2010 they won a Latin Grammy for Alternative Song with ‘De Donde Vengo Yo.’ The following year the song “El Bombo” became part of the FIFA 11 soundtrack. The launch in April this year of single ‘Uh la la’ brings with it another tour and the release of a video from the new album “Hasta el Techo.”And when it comes to the Chocó, Tostao, Goyo and Slow are dedicated promoters. “I always try to say something positive about my land” says Tostao.

 

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here