Five Guatemalan musicians you need to hear
In Guatemala, the music we listen to is as rich as every other part of our culture. The music here is informed by the many different cultural groups who make up the population.
Walking down the street, you are as likely to hear traditional Mayan music as you are the latest US chart hit. It is a true mix of influences, with deep and complex roots. So, with that in mind, here is our guide to just five Guatemalan musicians you need to hear.
Ricardo Arjona
Singer, political activist and yes, international basketball player: Ricardo Arjona is something of a legend in Guatemala. He is easily our country’s biggest music star and he has enjoyed success internationally too.
Arjona’s album sales are well over 40 million, and he is one of the most successful Latin America artists of all time. Musically, he leans towards pop, but he is also a serious artist who is prepared to stand up for social causes he believes in.
He’s spoken up in the past against social inequality, and it all contributes to his image as one of our nation’s favourite sons. And not content with being an international singing star, Arjona was also an accomplished basketball player. He has represented his country many times around the world.
Bohemia Suburbana
If your musical tastes are more alternative, then Bohemia Suburbana might be more to your liking. They are an alternative rock band who have made quite an impact outside the country too. They’ve been nominated for a Latin Emmy award, and have also played with US stars like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
But in many ways they are a band that embodies the diversity of Guatemalan music. Their music incorporates influences from the US, of course — but also folk music and traditional Guatemalan rhythms too.
Hedras Ramos
Incredibly, Hedras Ramos only started playing guitar when he was 13. Yet despite the late start, this multi-instrumentalist is one of our nation’s most talented musicians. He has developed quite an international following too, producing his own music and releasing a number of highly-acclaimed albums.
One of the highlights of his career so far was supporting Guns N’Roses when they toured in Guatemala. And, more unusually, he has even collaborated with legendary actor Sir Christopher Lee on a death metal album.
Gaby Moreno
Gaby Moreno’s big break came in 2011 when she released a hit single with Ricardo Arjona. But this hugely talented singer-songwriter and guitarist has built her own reputation in the intervening years. She’s well-known as a multi-linguist, often singing in French, English and Portuguese, as well as her native Spanish.
Over the years she’s had a number of interesting collaborations — not least with Hugh Laurie, the star of US TV hit House. She sang on Laurie’s album of jazz and blues songs. She’s released eight albums and received a Grammy nomination in 2017 for her Latin pop album ‘Ilusión’.
Paco Perez
Paco Perez was a Guatemalan singer, songwriter and guitarist who wrote many songs over the course of his career. But he is most famous as the man who wrote Luna de Xelajú, one of our country’s best-loved songs.
The waltz is one of those pieces of music that has transcended the time and place it was written in. Today, this sentimental song is deeply ingrained in the hearts of most Guatemalans. It is a piece of music that is instantly recognisable, and a part of everyday life.
Luna de Xelajú is played everywhere: by traditional marimba bands, by pop artists, choirs and even singers such as Gaby Moreno. Her delicate acoustic version of the song is a beautiful tribute to the talented Paco Perez, who died tragically in a plane crash at the age of 34.
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