If you haven’t yet experienced the body-moving vibes from Cali, Colombia born, Brooklyn-based Madame Vacile, your soul is in for a treat. Her newest collection of Afro-Colombian rhythms layered with tropical native sounds comes to life on “De Todito Bailable”. This playlist is a legendary mix of exactly that: everything that is bound to make you dance. As you hit play, we strongly recommend you allow the tracks to flow in order for ultimate body-moving feels.
We caught up with Madame Vacile ahead of her August 22 DJ set in NYC, where she’ll open for Afro-Colombian, cumbia indie stars Combo Chimbita. Get details here. As you dance, get to know the one and only Madame Vacile:
TIGRE SOUNDS: Tell us about your musical genre identity and the type of sounds that move you.
MADAME VACILE: I was born in Cali but raised in Barranquilla, surrounded by music like currulao, salsa, cumbia, bullerengue, African rhythms, champeta, and the sounds of Joe Arroyo from a young age. These influences greatly shaped my deep appreciation for a specific music genre: Afro-Caribbean vibes.
TIGRE SOUNDS: How are you helping to build the music culture in your scene or city?
MADAME VACILE: Supporting the music scene has become much easier with the use of social media for promotion and outreach. I actively share local music, attend local events, and participate in musical gatherings among friends to enhance their visibility and appreciation. Additionally, I support local musicians by attending their concerts, purchasing their music, and promoting their projects to help them reach a wider audience.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Which genre-bending artists are you really excited about right now?
Combo Chimbita: Fuses cumbia, salsa, and Afro-Colombian rhythms with rock, metal, and electronic elements, featuring a distinctive sound enhanced by Caro’s unique voice.
Lollise: Combines traditional African music with modern influences, creating a rich and contemporary auditory and visual experience.
Ghetto Kumbé: Merges Afro-Colombian rhythms with electronic and afrobeat elements, delivering a unique afrohouse sound with deep cultural roots.
La Payara: Integrates Colombian rhythms with electronic and reggae influences, crafting a fresh sound that highlights the cultural and musical richness of Colombia.
Reyna Tropical: Blends traditional Latin American sounds with electronic and pop influences, offering an innovative take on tropical music.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What song are you listening to on repeat?
MADAME VACILE: Me Lo Merezco from Combo Chimbita and Tambo from Guetto Kumbé.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What epic live shows or projects do you have coming up that we should look out for?
MADAME VACILE: Coming up soon is the Bric, better known as Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park, where I’ll be sharing the stage with Meridian Brothers and Joe Bataan. Following that, I’ll be heading to “Un Veranito,” a neighborhood and musician-led festival in Upstate NY that promises three days packed with non-stop music and fun. There’s also a Silent Disco at Lincoln Center and the exciting opportunity to open for the talented and divine Reyna Tropical, among other events this summer. Follow me on social media @madamevacile to stay updated and not miss out on any of these amazing events! 🎶
ABOUT MADAME VACILE
MADAME VACILE is a Musical selector, DJ, and cultural activist. As a student of music, Madame Vacile has spent many years researching, collecting, and mixing a broad assortment of rhythms from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa, and more – creating a signature sound, where you can hear the original influences tie directly into what is playing today along many parts of Colombia’s Caribbean coast – fundamentals of power, night life, joy, and resistance.
Madame Vacile has shared the stage with international artists including Nicola Cruz, Bomba Estéreo, Buraka Som Sistema, Tito Puente Jr, Mateo Kingman, Los Cafres, Sotomayor, Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Systema Solar, Princess Nokia, Nickodemus, La Payara and Guetto Kumbe. She has played internationally as a guest artist at venues including Latin Beat (Paris, France), Fête de Vendanges de Neuchâtel (Switzerland) The Volcano (Berlin, Germany), and La Lucha en Bermudas (Barcelona).
Madame Vacile is the founder of the #BacktoAfrica program on Paris’ Radio Chigüiro. With invited guests and musical curators from all over the world, the show offers an important opportunity to share exquisite musical curations from all over the African continent with a diverse international audience.
