champeta

Champeta is a music genre and dance style from Colombia's Caribbean coast, especially Cartagena and the surrounding region. It developed in the late 1960s and 1970s among Afro-Colombian communities, blending African-descended musical traditions with Caribbean popular styles. The name's origin is debated, but it is widely associated with street parties where sound systems performed.

Musically, champeta combines rapid guitar riffs reminiscent of Congolese soukous with Colombian rhythms, electric bass, percussion (congas, timbales), keyboards, and digital production. Vocals are typically in Spanish with festive, often playful lyrics about love, dancing, and everyday life. The tempo is fast, designed for dancing, with call-and-response sections and a strong emphasis on party atmosphere. The style often incorporates elements from cumbia, salsa, and vallenato, reflecting regional musical crossovers.

Champeta spread through markets, clubs, and pirate radio in coastal cities, and over time became a symbol of Afro-Colombian identity and urban youth culture. In the late 20th century it gained wider recognition within Colombia and in the Caribbean diaspora, and in the 21st century it experienced renewed popularity and reformulation as artists fused champeta with reggaetón, hip hop, and electronic dance music. It continues to be performed in street celebrations and nightlife venues along the Caribbean coast and has influenced Latin urban music more broadly.