Meet the Dominican Artists Who Are Revolutionizing the Sounds of the Island

Santo Domingo folkloric singer and composer La Marimba's sweet soprano voice is gently rocking waves across the island. Her interpretation of Luis Dias' "El Guardia del Arsenal" also showcased her ability to command all of the instruments within the song, proving she's more than just a pretty voice. In 2019, she released her debut album "Seré" on Spotify. La Marimba has been featured on Tedx Talks and has sung alongside established artists such as Xiomara Fortuna and Puerto Rican Latin Soul singer Calma Carmona. This is only the beginning for the young artist, and our ears are ready for what is to come.

Yasser Tejeda & Palotré have been described as a "frenzied celebration of ancestral union." The New York-based Dominican group consists of lead singer and guitarist Yasser Tejeda, drummer Victor Otoniel Vargas, bassist Kyle Miles, and percussionist Jonathan Troncoso. Together, the members mix ingredients of Caribbean, jazz, and rock elements into traditional folkloric music. Inclusions of African sounds such as the Congolese and West African guitar urge Latinx listeners to delve back into their African heritage, where there is much to explore and love.

There was a time when Nicole Santiago sang back up vocals for Alex Ferreira y el Frente Caribe. That experience led her to come front and center today under her new name Nikola, and her debut EP ranking among the best Dominican albums of 2019. The tropical vibes in her song "Marola" will stir up daydreams involving hammocks, beaches, sunsets, and palm trees, so be sure to turn this song up after a hard day's work if you are seeking peace and relaxation.

Afro-Dominican collective La Gran Mawon are on a mission to spread a message of love through their jam sessions. Inspired by the Afro-Taino musical roots of the island, the artists decided to recreate the soulful sounds of their ancestors by adding modern-day influences of reggae, rock, ska, and hip-hop. Lyrical topics of interest to La Gran Mawon include the love and respect they have for their African heritage, nature, history, and culture.

Thirteen-year-old tenor Francisco Amaury Campusano (who goes by the stage name Babyrotty due to his Pavarotti-style of singing) serves as a reminder that age defies expectations. From singing on the streets of Santo Domingo to help his family make ends meet, he was "discovered" and encouraged to participate in 2019's Dominicana's Got Talent. Not only did he get a Golden Buzzer that took him straight to the semi-finals, he actually won the competition after performing his illustrious rendition of the classic José José hit "El Triste." He will be using his reward money to build a house for his grandfather and his parents, and to complete his studies.