Bomba Estéreo “Blow Up”

San Diego is going to get its first taste of Bomba Estéreo's 'electro vacilón' (electro tropical) music.

This is not your mama y papa's cumbia – instead, this is the cumbia you've always wanted to hear as a teen in your parent's car. They've been blowing up since signing with Nacional Records in 2009 for their third album, appropriately titled Blow Up.

The musical chemistry between founding members Simón Mejía (loops, bass) and Liliana Saumet (vocals) is something to rival to No Doubt's Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal – minus the relationship.

Don't let Li's baby face or her shyness fool you, because once onstage she transforms into a powerhouse microphone fiend who can move the crowd in a pop second. You've heard of people with an old soul? Li has it. As soon as she starts singing you feel the deep connection she has to her Afro-Colombian roots.

Simón says of Li, “She has this power. I think the power she has really is she combines the power of hip-hop with the power of singing, like cantarora.” Li brings the authenticity of Colombia, and Simón encapsulates her vocals with electricity thorugh the portals of his Casio, electric guitar and PRO Tools.

This Colombian band's music is infectious and downright cumbia sizzling with a dash of Afro boom-baps. A Bomba Estéreo show is stronger than Colombian coffee – you don't want to miss it. They perform Aug. 5 at 4th & B. Tickets can be purchased here.

Dita Quiñones is a multimedia journalist with a passion for Latin alternative and hip-hop music news. In addition to SoundDiego, she contributes to Latina, FOX News Latino, Poder and HipHopDx. She is also the founder of the infamous music and politrix blog GN$F! Follow Dita on Twitter.

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