LA CHIVA GANTIVA
COLOMBIA / BELGIUM / THE WORLD
Born in Brussels, La Chiva Gantiva is a one-of-a-kind band founded by Colombian musicians and enriched by talents from diverse backgrounds. Since its debut, La Chiva Gantiva has transcended cultural boundaries, blending diversity and creativity into an explosive musical fusion.
The band is celebrated for its ability to transform every stage into a full-blown party, captivating audiences with its raw energy. Prestigious festivals such as Roskilde, WOMAD (UK, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Russia), and the Paleo Festival have all borne witness to their electrifying performances.
In 2025, La Chiva Gantiva celebrates 15 years of traveling the world, sharing their vibrant energy and festive music. This milestone also marks the release of their new album EGO, a project that promises to amplify the group’s soul and unique identity.
“La Chiva Gantiva took the party and the Colombian carnivals to warm the European cold. The power of rock in the process creates an explosion of sound which is very difficult to escape.”
— Rollingstone [Colombia]
“Colombian at their core but calling Brussels home, this deeply funky, stupendously agile outfit come recommended to anyone who’s shaken a leg to past WOMAD favourites.”
— Daily Mail [UK]
EGO.
With EGO, La Chiva Gantiva delivers a bold new album. Darker and more introspective, the record combines Afro-inspired rhythms with trip-hop infuences, all elevated by meticulous production. Each track has been carefully chosen to create an immersive and captivating atmosphere. The album also features collaborations with international artists;
Cienfue, a Panamanian musician known for blending rock and tropical music. Natalia Doco, an Argentine singer with a warm and enchanting voice. La Guadalupe, a Colombian singer who brings a vibrant, authentic touch to the compositions.
Despegue.
For their third long player Belgian-Colombian band La Chiva Gantiva joined forces with producers Ivan Benavides (Toto La Momposina, Sidestepper) and Vincent Poujol. The band's recipe, a mix of Afro-Colombian rhythms with influences from punk and rock they baptized punkclore, has remained unchanged, but for 'Despegue' ("launch", "lift-off") the Brussels based band this time invited a number of well-known guests. Arrested Development front man Speech provides some hip-hop vibes in 'Cuero', and Atibalas' Martin Perna struts his sax in 'Fais Comme Si', the only French song in the track list.
Vivo.
While the album's powerful sound reflects La Chiva Gantiva's incredible live energy, their "frenetic carnival-punk racket that detonates like a Molotov cocktail of rock, rap, soul and ferociously funky Latin rhythms (as described by The Times), "Vivo" also contains songs in which the band further explore several musical directions, such as traditional percussion patterns and new sonic territories, while remaining grounded in their trademark rock/afrobeat fundamentals, punctuated by exuberant horn riffs.
Pelao.
Crammed Discs presented “PELAO”, the first full length recording by LA CHIVA GANTIVA. “Pelao” (which equally means “kid”, “hairless”, or even "broke"), includes 11 titles, sung in Spanish, French, and sometimes in a strange mixture of the two languages. In addition to other subjects, the lyrics seek to deconstruct the clichés that circulate about Latin-American cultures.