Totó La Momposina, whose real name is Sonia Bazanta Vides, stands as a towering figure in the preservation and international popularization of Colombian folk music and traditional rhythms. Born on August 1, 1940, in the northern Colombian village of Talaigua Nuevo on the Island of Mompos, she hails from a lineage that integrates indigenous, African, and Spanish cultural heritages – a mix that is reflective in her music. Totó's powerful and soul-stirring voice channels the full spectrum of her country’s diverse sounds, such as cumbia, bullerengue, mapalé, and son de negro.

Having spent her life learning the oral traditions from her family and community from a young age, Totó La Momposina has dedicated her career to mastering the art forms and educating others about them, both within Colombia and on the global stage. Fame reached new heights when English musician Peter Gabriel introduced her to international audiences in the 1990s, leading to her album "La Candela Viva" achieving critical acclaim. Totó's music remains a living, breathing testament to the rich cultural tapestry of her homeland, and even as she remixes her classics with contemporary beats, her tireless performances and recordings continue to inspire a new generation of listeners and musicians around the world.

Genres

Bullerengue

Chicha

Cumbia

Folclor Afrocolombiano

Porro

Related Artists

Bomba Estéreo

Lila Downs

Carlos Vives

Grupo Niche

Celia Cruz

Monsieur Periné

Aterciopelados

ChocQuibTown

Susana Baca

Systema Solar

Alicia Keys

Fonseca

Latest Release

Tambor (PAUZA Bata Remix)

Mia Moretti•

Totó La Momposina•

PAUZA

Single - Released July 5, 2024