La Chiva Gantiva
Belgium
La Chiva Gantiva
🇧🇪
La Chiva Gantiva 🇧🇪
La Chiva Gantiva began in 2004 in Brussels, when three Colombian students started playing percussion together. They blend Afro-Colombian rhythms like champeta, chirimia and mapale, with rock, Afrobeat and funk for a completely unique and energetic sound. The Times (London, UK) described their live show as a “frenetic carnival-punk racket that detonates like a Molotov cocktail of rock, rap, soul and ferociously funky Latin rhythms”. In 2025, the band celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new album that features singles such as Vibration is Life (a collaboration with Panamanian artist Cienfú),; Yo vuelo al revés, (a return to the band’s early sound), and Tiene Hambre, a track exploring the duality of ego through hypnotic and cinematic atmospheres. This new work reaffirms the band’s commitment to artistic evolution and its connection to diverse cultures and styles. La Chiva Gantiva is not just a band but an artistic collective, led by Rafael Espinel, integrating music, video clips, documentaries, and a meticulously crafted visual identity. La Chiva Gantiva’s dedication to innovation, sonic experimentation, and multicultural collaboration highlights their impact and achievements in many parts of the world.
