Anti-Blackness in Latin America Is Real: Colombian Hip-Hop Band

In a region where anti-Black racism is either an unspoken or neglected issue, the Afro-Colombian hip-hop group ChocQuibTown is leading the conversation through sharp lyrics of protest and beats that honor and celebrate African-Latino culture.

“In Latin America people don’t talk about the issue … We are talking about a problem that’s alive and real. We are Colombians and we live the issue of racism daily,” said the percussionist and singer of the band Carlos “Tostao” Valencia in an interview Tuesday with Agence France Presse.

The Colombian group, which gained international fame after winning a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Song in 2010 and a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Band in 2015, believes it can make "a difference" with its music, which addresses discrimination with lyrics of protest.

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“Invisibility, nationally and internationally,” says their critically-acclaimed song “De Donde Vengo Yo” (Where I Come From), “self-discrimination without reason, imminent racism, a lot of corruption … war machine, displacements for land interests,” the song continues.

“We will always touch upon this thorny issue freely,” Valencia said.

After 15 years of creating music, Valencia said their new and fifth album “Behind the Machine,” is even more defiant than their previous work.

“When you recently begin you are not as daring like now. This album is more defiant, in its lyrics, music and interpretation,” Valencia added.