Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana Dropped a Collab So Good, It Became a Whole Band
Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana, two powerhouse bands in Latin music, have officially joined forces to create a new supergroup: ASTROPICAL. What started as a single collaboration quickly evolved into a full-fledged project blending tropical rhythms with astrological influences. The announcement comes with the release of their debut single, “Me Pasa (Piscis),” which is now available for streaming.
Venezuelan indie-pop sensation Rawayana and Colombian electro-cumbia legends Bomba Estéreo have both built cult-like followings with their unique sounds. Now, their combined energy has manifested into ASTROPICAL. The collab is an entirely new musical venture that neither band originally planned but both felt was destined to happen. “I’m highly intuitive. And always pay close attention to everything that’s happening around me,” Bomba Estéreo’s Liliana “Li” Saumet explained. “They’re a band that knows how to reinvent itself. They have inspired and moved me, and the message was quite clear: we needed to make some music together.”
“Me Pasa (Piscis)”: A Perfect Fusion of Sound
The lead single “Me Pasa (Piscis)” is an intricate blend of Afrobeats rhythms, Colombian gaita flute, and nostalgic guitar riffs. The track nods to cultural touchstones like Colombian champeta, Venezuelan arepas, and the Caribbean sounds of Juan Luis Guerra. It brings a fresh yet familiar feel to Latin American music lovers.
According to Rawayana’s Beto Montenegro, this collaboration was a dream come true: “Musically, I feel like I’m the son of Bomba Estéreo. When Li called us, it was like a dream come true. I’ve been thinking for so long that I treasure the sonic universe that Bomba Estéreo navigates.” The energy of the song captures the effortless chemistry between the two groups, turning what was once a one-time collab into a full project.
From Late-Night Texts to a Full Album
The magic behind ASTROPICAL was entirely spontaneous. At the beginning of 2024, Saumet sent Montenegro a text saying she was eager to collaborate. Hours later, she received a track from Rawayana at 3 AM. By 9 AM, Montenegro had already completed what became “Me Pasa (Piscis).” The creative process flowed effortlessly, much like Bomba Estéreo’s past success with “Ojitos Lindos” alongside Bad Bunny.
Initially, ASTROPICAL planned to release an EP, but the collaboration evolved during studio sessions in Miami and at Saumet’s beach house in Santa Marta, Colombia. As they continued recording, they found themselves with enough material for a full album. Inspired by their mutual love for astrology, they named the project ASTROPICAL—a fusion of “astro” and “tropical” that embodies their celestial and Caribbean influences.
The ASTROPICAL Era Begins with a Global Tour
ASTROPICAL is set to make its live debut at Vive Latino in Mexico City on March 16, with more festival appearances and tour dates to be announced. The project will see Bomba Estéreo’s Li Saumet and José Castillo team up with Rawayana’s Beto Montenegro and Andrés “Fofo” Story, combining their artistic strengths on stage.
For Saumet, this collaboration is about more than just music: “Everything in this world is about energy. I love Nina Simone, and she used to say that the art that we make is permeated by whatever’s happening in the world. This project flowed like water. It is a ball of energy – and at the same time, it is surrounded by an aura of mystery.”
Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana: A Legacy of Innovation
Both bands have a history of pushing musical boundaries. Bomba Estéreo, pioneers of electro-cumbia, have dominated the global stage with hits like “Fuego,” “Soy Yo,” and their Bad Bunny collaboration “Ojitos Lindos,” which has over 3 billion streams. Meanwhile, Rawayana has carved out its own lane in Latin music, amassing millions of streams and performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and beyond.
With ASTROPICAL, they are not only bringing fans a fresh, genre-bending sound but also creating an artistic movement that fuses music, astrology, and tropical rhythms. As their debut performances approach, one thing is clear: Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana have officially entered their ASTROPICAL era.
