SAMBA & CUMBIA

Samba and cumbia emerge from Afro-Latin traditions as music of rhythm, resistance, and community. From Brazil’s streets to Colombia’s coastal towns, their percussion-driven beats and melodic flows carry histories of African heritage, colonial struggle, and cultural celebration, turning sound into a living expression of identity, solidarity, and collective joy.

Living Archive

These genres continue to foster connection, pride, and empowerment. They serve as living archives, preserving culture and linking listeners to the Caribbean’s enduring spirit and shared history.

Sound and Story

Samba and cumbia carry the heartbeat of Afro-Latin communities, preserving stories of resilience, migration, and cultural pride. Their rhythms and melodies connect generations, transform sound into a living archive, and continue to inspire dance, storytelling, and celebration across Latin America and the world.

Jazz &

The Blues

Reggae &

Calypso

Samba &

Cumbia

Soul

Genres to explore

Movement

1940s–1950s

Samba and cumbia emerge from Afro-Latin communities, blending African rhythms with local traditions. These early forms serve as expressions of identity, resilience, and cultural survival under colonial and social pressures.

Roots and

Resistance

Urban

Evolution

Global

Influence