Chartmetric's Year in Music Report, Festival Centro 2025, More Events
Exploring the Horizons of Sound and Culture Across Latin America and Beyond
Ahoy, Mapas Sonoros crew! As we step into the second half of January, we’re thrilled to dive headfirst into a year filled with untapped sonic treasures, unforgettable moments, and a map full of adventures. The tides are already rising, and in just a few weeks, we’ll be dropping the first podcast episode of the year. This one promises to be a special voyage into Marco’s Bay—a mixtape of modern and vintage gems unearthed during the year’s opening weeks. Each of these rare finds will get their own spotlight post soon, so stay tuned for stories, beats, and the eclectic allure of the Bay’s treasures.
But that’s just the beginning. With festival season on the horizon, we will keep you in the loop on every must-see event, including deep dives into the artistry and stories behind the stages. From exclusive interviews and surprise collaborations to playlists and feature pieces, 2025 will see us amplifying voices and curating music experiences like never before.
Here’s to a year of exploration, connection, and, of course, incredible music.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Let the adventure begin!
Festival Centro: Four Days of Sound, Heritage, and Artistic Innovation in Bogotá’s Heart
The 16th edition of Festival Centro promises four electrifying journeys of musical brilliance, cultural heritage and cutting-edge artistry from January 23–26. Spearheaded by the Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño (FUGA) and the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, this year’s chapter brings together more than 48 acts from across Colombia and beyond, to paint the city’s iconic center in a symphony of sound and inclusion.
Under the banner of Los sonidos de la diferencia (“sounds of difference”) the event pays homage to the late Ernesto “Teto” Ocampo, a pioneering figure in Colombian music whose innovative spirit continues to resonate. The opening night will feature his band, Hombre de Barro, in a moving tribute blending live performance and visual art. In addition to this well-deserved offering, there will be a stacked lineup selected by renown local curators Luisa Piñeros, Adriana González Hassig, and online music personality/fellow Substacker Juan Antonio Carulla of
The roster will feature several projects that have been highly praised on this tribune, the likes of Flaco Flow y Melanina and the Meridian Brothers, plus a good chunk of projects we look forward to featuring later down the road, including Amantes del Futuro, Lalo Cortés, Garifuna Collective, Buha 2030, Ali Aka Mind and many others.
The festival extends its cultural embrace with a marketplace of local artisans, an enticing culinary spread, and a musical circuit that energizes independent venues across Bogotá’s historic center. Thanks to initiatives like the LEP Grants, Festival Centro continues to uplift Bogotá’s creative industries, making this city a national and international musical epicenter.
You can find all the details of the event by clicking on this link.
Chartmetric’s Year in Music: Latin Music’s Multifaceted Future
The 2024 music year saw Latin music take a commanding position on the global stage, as highlighted by Chartmetric’s Year in Music Report. With artists like Ela Taubert winning Best New Artist at the 2024 Latin Grammys and Karol G’s record-breaking Mañana Será Bonito tour, the so called “Latin genre” continues to defy borders and redefine mainstream success.
The global music market showcased an intriguing genre distribution: pop dominated with 53% of market share, Latin music claimed 14%, and the remaining 33% encompassed other genres. At first glance, these figures underscore the steady ascent of Latin American artists, solidifying the region’s position as a critical player in global music consumption. Yet, beneath the surface lies a narrative as complex as the genre itself.
Latin music’s 14% stake speaks to its growing prominence, particularly when juxtaposed against its relatively recent emergence on the global stage. Artists like Karol G and Bad Bunny are household names, not merely because they belong to the Latin music spectrum, but because they’ve transcended it, embedding themselves into broader cultural contexts. Furthermore, the data obscures the fact that many Latin American artists thrive under other genre classifications—be it folk, rock, pop, hip-hop or electronic—expanding the region’s influence beyond the confines of “Latin” as a label.
In that order this growth presents a double-edged sword. As Latin music continues to solidify its market share, the risk of stereotypical categorization grows. The global audience’s expectation of a “Latin sound” risks constraining the breadth of expression from the region. This isn’t merely a question of artistic limitation—it’s a market opportunity cost. The enormous range of styles emerging from Latin America is its greatest strength, and pigeonholing it risks alienating listeners who might otherwise be drawn to its multifaceted offerings.
The challenge, then, is clear: to continue elevating Latin music’s visibility without homogenizing its identity. The 14% market share is not merely a foothold; it is a launchpad. For industry stakeholders, this requires balancing commercial strategies with a commitment to showcasing the depth and breadth of Latin American artistry, ensuring its global narrative is as expansive as its roots.
The Pulse of Global Music Consumption in 2024
Latin American audiences have also cemented their dominance as the driving force behind global music trends. As Chartmetric’s report revealed, audiences in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia continue to occupy top-tier positions across major platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, shaping not just the consumption of Latin music, but the direction of the global music industry itself.
On another note, Mexico stands tall as the undisputed epicenter for Latin artists. Beyond its sheer population size, the country’s rich cultural affinity for music has created an ecosystem where homegrown and international artists alike can thrive. It is the nexus where all sorts of crossovers converge, setting the tone for what resonates across the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.
This Latin American dominance reflects not only the population density of these markets, but also an unparalleled passion for music and their role as early adopters of digital platforms. However, it also represents an opportunity for artists outside these countries to connect with these audiences, which are shaping global trends more profoundly than ever. Whether through regional collaborations, strategic touring, or targeted digital campaigns, artists and industry players cannot afford to overlook the powerhouse that is the Latin American audience—a demographic not merely consuming music, but defining its future.
Paradisco’s Sonic Odyssey: Three Nights of Global Rhythms and Electric Vibes
One of Bogotá’s top joints for enthusiasts of good music and high-fidelity sound, Paradisco Bar de Escucha is kicking off 2025 with an electrifying lineup that promises to take your ears—and your dancing shoes—on a global journey. This week, the beloved venue brings a trio of unmissable nights, each dedicated to a distinct musical experience. From cutting-edge Latin house to Afro-disco grooves and the irresistible rhythms of Brazil, Paradisco’s soundsystem is ready to deliver. Don’t miss out!
✨ Thursday, January 16
MARIA MESTIZA makes her debut at Paradisco with an extended Thursday night set. An unforgettable journey through Latin-house, breaks, B-sides, and UK garage.
Doors open: 9 PM
Free entry until: 11 PM
Cover after 11 PM: 15K COP
✨ Friday, January 17
Dive into a night of Afro-inspired dance music with CHAPINERO MIXTAPES DE FUNK and SONIQUE. The playlist? Kwaito, bubblegum, Afro-disco, funk, and tons of hidden dancefloor gems.
Doors open: 9:30 PM
Cover: 20K COP
✨ Saturday, January 18 – Noite Tropicalia
Celebrate Brazilian music and culture with GUILLERMO KATORZI and special guest JAR. Groove to funk, boogie, MPB, samba, and Afro-Brazilian sounds.
Special offer: 2x1 caipirinhas
Doors open: 9:30 PM
Cover: 25K COP
Enoy three nights of transcendent music and electric vibes, at one of Bogotá’s most special sonic hubs.
Looking Ahead
From the electrifying rhythms of Latin America to the innovative fusions reshaping global charts, 2025 promises to be a symphony of discovery and evolution.
Stay tuned for more deep dives, data insights and artist spotlights, as we continue to map the sounds shaping our world.
For the time being, let’s keep the music playing and the conversations flowing.
See you in the next edition!