The New Generation of Afro-Colombian Artists: 10 Gems to Know

Born in Santa Marta, 50thy or Fifty (real name: Freddy Steven Sierra) has been making music since he was 13. His singles such as “Sello o Cara” and “Llora” have clean, feel-good, and reflective lyrics, and serve as a testament to his “samarian flavor,” which laces Afropop, reggae, and dancehall melodies with the urban genre. For his latest bop, he teamed up with Yera on “Palomino,” a sensual bachata. In 2022, 50thy became one of the first signees at ArteFino Music, the urban division of Mexican indie label AfinArte. 

Listen to “Palomino” here

The teen artist born Dylan Zambrano, from the coastal city Buenaventura, can easily navigate from a potent freestyle to an enchanting chanteo — all backed by his smooth, deep vocals. In 2023, he signed with Seven Music, Inc. and also forms part of Keityn’s management hub, La Creme. As a singer-songwriter, he has two verses on “+57,” helmed by Karol G, Feid, J Balvin, Maluma, Ryan Castro, and Blessd, and produced by Ovy on the Drums. The song’s virality earned DFZM his first Billboard chart entries across Hot Latin Songs, Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. 

Listen to “Cartagena” here

Hamilton — born in Cartagena and residing in Medellin — has been pushing the Afro-Caribbean and Amapiano (subgenre of South African house music) rhythms forward since 2019. As of last year, he began to solidify his project by dropping collaborations with Ryan Castro (“A Poca Luz”); Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez (“Atardecer”); and De La Ghetto. His debut EP Los Reyes del Mar encompasses the breezy and sunny vibes of his afrobeats. “Music that they can listen to and feel at any time. That is Afro,” he expressed in a press statement. “If you go out partying, if you are with your family, and of course if you are on the beach.” 

Listen to “A Poca Luz” here

In 2015, Jossman dropped his debut studio album Sublime. The 14-track set showcased his ability to navigate different musical styles from R&B to hip-hop to reggae, and beyond. Known as the “Afro King,” the singer-songwriter and producer is from Timbiquí, located on the Pacific Coast of Colombia, and has propelled the Latin Afrobeat movement thanks to bangers such as his 2020 “Todita” with former ChocQuibTown member and hitmaker Slow Mike, and “La Noche” with Puerto Rican artist Jory Boy.

Listen to “Todita” here

His smooth vocals and sensual R&B tunes have garnered the attention of fans and movers & shakers of the industry alike. In 2023, Junior teamed up with Ovy on the Drums for “Mala Costumbre,” part of Spotify Singles. In 2024, he officially signed a record deal with Sony Music Colombia, and dropped his promising studio album (and first under the label) Joyas del Barrio — the 15-song set is a reflection of his life in his barrio, Vallado 3. That same year, Zamora won best indie alternative rock artist at Premios Nuestra Tierra. “This may be the most significant year so far for the project because of what it represents for a city, for the neighborhood, for the people,” he said of his 2024. “It’s the year in which we have faced the most shocks and the most challenges and it can only make me proud.”

Listen to “VALLADO 3” here

In the midst of the pandemic, Kalido dropped his debut single “Una Llamada.” The slow reggaetón song — and other singles such as “Prende Otro” and “Pool Pool” — put his sugary and sensual vocal tones on the map. Hailing from Barranquilla, the independent artist has already teamed up with Kevin Roldan, Mariah Angeliq, Totoy el Frio and Lalo Ebratt, to name a few. His most recent collaboration is with Matt Paris, Dylan Fuentes and Cornetto on “Si Si Maria,” released under Pitbull’s Mr. 305 Records.

Listen to “Opciones” here

Maisak (real name: Maikel Rafael Rico Torres) went viral on TikTok last year with the heartfelt chorus from his song “Se Me Olvida.” “I keep forgetting that I’m your ex, that I lost you/ And now the love of my life is with the love of her life,” he passionately sings, ultimately catching the attention of Feid, who jumped on the remix. Signed to Maluma’s Royalty Records, the artist from Santa Marta began singing at a very young age thanks to his father, who’s also an artist. With popular songs such as “FDSR” with Ryan Castro, “Se Enamoró de Ella” with Noreh, and “Descaro 2.0” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, Maisak’s musical style fuses urban music with the essence of vallenato’s lyrics.  

Listen to “Descaro 2.0” here

After forming part of a salsa orchestra and even singing bachata for a few, Venesti discovered his sound in 2018. “I started to explore the music of my roots, African and Pacific, and found a nice middle point that’s a fresh Caribbean sound with Colombian fusions and African flow,” the former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise previously said. His feel-good Afro-Colombian tunes ultimately earned him his first record label deal with AP Global Music in 2023, and his first Billboard No. 1 hit on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart with “Umaye,” and “No Es Normal” (in collaboration with Nacho and Maffio), which topped the Latin Pop Airplay for seven weeks in 2024. The latter won the Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin pop song.

Listen to “Fuera de Lugar” here

Ysa C is a force to be reckoned with: beautiful, talented, and fierce. Or, how she best describes it across her social media accounts: “Authenticity, passion and sensuality are the three representative characteristics of Ysa C.” The 22-year-old emerging artist from Cali uploaded her first tune, “Ex/cusas,” to Spotify in 2023, and has been unstoppable since, releasing her EP Bella in 2024. Songs such as “No Se Dio” in collaboration with Hamilton and The Prodigiez, “Pa Toa La Vida,” and “Sola” put her dulcet vocals and saucy reggaetón melodies on the map.

Listen to “Sola” here

Zaider’s trajectory spans 10 years, first gaining traction as a champeta (Colombian folk of Afro-Caribbean origins) artist. The artist born Zaide Junior Peralta Martínez in Cartagena released his first single in 2015 called “Te Va a Doler,” but his sound has evolved throughout the years. Today, he fuses champeta with afrobeat melodies, and is a signed artist by Sony Music Colombia. Last year, he released his debut single under the label called “Alma,” in collaboration with breakthrough Colombian act Kapo.

Listen to “Alma” here