High up in the mountains on the outskirts of Bogotá, a small private venue buzzes with anticipation ahead of a performance from heavyweight salsa legends, Grupo Niche. The intimate showing is part of Amazon Music’s ongoing City Sessions, a concert series pairing Latine music legends with rising stars, live streamed over Twitch and later to be released on Prime Video. The first installment kicked off back in July with a riveting show from Mau y Ricky in Mexico City, who were joined by angelic singer-songwriter, Ivana. And news of a September session in Monterrey with cowboy icons Bronco, plus upcoming concerts in Argentina and Spain, have quickly cemented the series as a major digital music happening.
However, on this particular night in mid-August, as most were ready to cut a rug with the “Cali Pachanguero” stalwarts, the room was also curious if the soaring afrobeats star, Kapo, could live up to deafening industry hype. Spoiler alert: He did. The vivacious singer – born Juan David Loaiza – erupted onto the stage with a stripped down rendition of his afrobeats anthem, “Ohnana,” arguably Colombia’s song of the summer. He then waist-winded across the stage, crooned dramatically in the spotlight, and even jumped into the audience to serenade his girlfriend, social media star Carolina Pico. It was a defining performance from an artist at the launch point of his career, brandishing a newly minted signature sound and unmistakable stage presence.
“I’ve been working for 15 years, but I’ve only just connected with my audience,” the 27-year-old Kapo tells Remezcla, speaking in a raspy, innately musical cadence. “I’m ready now. There’s a team, a persona, an image, but also music. So much great music. I’ve even created my own language. When I sing “Ohnana” or “OWAIE,” I’m showing the world there are many ways of expressing love. I’m speaking to people’s hearts.”
While Kapo enjoys the support of Amazon Music as part of their artist development program, ROMPE, his success has been well earned. Hailing from the small town of El Cabuyal, near Cali, he grew up by the side of the road, where his family operated a gas station. He sang música popular (the Colombian analog of corridos) for passers by, and at 13-years-old, he recorded his first rap song, “Yo Tengo Un Sueño.” Three years later, he sold his motorcycle to finance a music video and a move to Bogotá, where he continued performing covers in nightclubs and later appearing on the celebrity impersonation show Yo Me Llamo as Puerto Rican MC Cosculluela. Kapo eventually met Dominican reggaeton and dancehall star Mr. Saik, joining his band as a backup singer and heading to Panama for two years.
While he returned to Colombia in 2019, his time with Mr. Saik taught Kapo the many contours of Caribbean music, reflected on early perreos like “Pelinegra” with Nanpa Básico and “Droga Favorita” alongside Boricua heartthrob Noriel. However, it was his 2021 collaboration with Medellín godfather Reykon, “Mochilera,” that gave Kapo his first taste of afrobeats, a riddim he later revisited on the 2023 hit “Bulevar” with Esteban Rojas and Pirlo. He noticed the tides of afrobeats rising around him, vibing to records from fellow Caleños like Dawer X Damper, Junior Zamora, and Jossman. Then came an invitation from his friend and dancehall singer Lion Fiah to join some studio sessions in Jamaica, and Kapo knew it was his time to shine.
“When I was in Panama with Mr. Saik, we’d talk about how afrobeats could be the next sound to take over Latin America,” adds Kapo. “Then I went to Jamaica and I just thought, ‘Por las chanclas de Bob Marley, I’m going to make a global hit!’ And look at that. We did it, with more on the way.”
When I was in Panama with Mr. Saik, we’d talk about how afrobeats could be the next sound to take over Latin America. Then I went to Jamaica and I just thought, “Por las chanclas de Bob Marley, I’m going to make a global hit!” And look at that. We did it, with more on the way.
The success of “Ohnana” led Kapo to perform last month for a massive crowd at Baja Beach Fest, and a new remix of the song featuring Farruko, Maluma, Nicky Jam, and Ryan Castro is slated to take over the world before the year is out. Kapo has kept the afrobeats streak going with the ardent love song “UWAIE,” as well as a crossover with Puerto Rican superstar Jhayco on “Passoa.” But despite all the mainstream co-signs, the Amazon Music City Sessions showcased how the boy from El Cabuyal can still be playful with audiences of all ages and walks of life.
“There’s a generational narrative to the City Sessions, and we’re honoring those who paved the way for artists today,” said Rocío Guerrero, head of Amazon Music Latin-Iberia, during a press conference for the event. Broadcasting over Twitch is helping legends and emerging talent reach younger fans, which Alex Torres, one of Grupo Niche’s four dashing singers, echoed in a later interview with Remezcla. “Grupo Niche has always been characterized for being on the vanguard [of salsa],” he says. “Now, we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to reach younger audiences.”
“Cali is synonymous with salsa, sabor, and fiesta, so it was a tremendous honor sharing the stage with Grupo Niche,” remembers Kapo of his night in the mountains. “I’m a brand. What I’m doing right now is afrobeats, but I can hop on reggaeton, bolero, or salsa tomorrow without a problem. My essence and vibe are going to be the same. If you listen to my music, you can hear love burning and the ocean calling.”
Travel and accommodations were provided to the author by Amazon Music for the purpose of writing this story.
