In the UK, If someones on the mic in a pub on a friday night they’re most likely to be singing pissed up Ronan Keating karaoke or rapping at crack speed over drum ‘n’bass. Not ideal.

In Mexico DF, New York and many other Mexican & US cities  Sonidera DJs are heavyweight cumbia riddim selectas dropping Colombian bangers for the gente, battering the laser button all night. Bouncing Mex-Electro-Rave clashes with screwed & chopped cumbias, rebajadas style. Soundsystem cd rewinds and barrio shout outs like an audio dub barrage over the music. Mic Echo essential.

At first my bad spanish made me think that the DJs chat was just for hyping up the crowd. Then I read this. The DJs are doing far more. Sonidero dances act as a meeting point for young mexican communities wherever they are.

“A young man might proclaim his love to his girlfriend, shout-out to his friends, or send a greeting to his family. They could be in the same dance hall, in New Jersey, or in the Mexican state of Puebla. The performance will be recorded, and CDs of the event will be sold as early as the next day. The dedicator of a number can then buy the CD and send it to the girlfriend left behind in Mexico, give it to friends, or keep it as a memento.” From this again.

Sonido Kumbala is apparently the undisputed Boss of the sonidera game. Thats his record shop above in the pic.

Here is an incredible recording of New York’s Sonido Siboney

Sonido Siboney – Acordeon y Guacharaca (live)

And playing in a market.

Loving this rave drop into cumbia. In the booth with Sondio Canela

I admittedly know very little about the Sondiera scene so please drop your knowledge in the comments.