Before arriving in the urban rainforest of Medellín, Colombia, I knew I was entering one of the reggaeton capitals of the world. Medellín is a mountainous city with towering, lush greenery on every corner, whose smiling people bring warmth to everyday life. Every night, it transforms into a landscape of glittering lights.
My memories of the place would be incomplete without the days and nights I spent in bars, clubs and open air music venues dancing to salsa, bachata, reggaeton, Afrobeats and dancehall. “Travel and music are deeply connected” Just before arriving, I discovered the reggaeton track ‘El Cielo’ by Sky Rompiendo, Feid and Myke Towers. I remember playing it as I looked out my window for the first time, gazing upon breathtaking mountains, and having it on repeat as I walked through the city’s streets and fell in love.
While visiting the beautiful island of San Andrés, ‘PROVIDENCIA’ played continuously. An Afrobeats track made by island native YE¥O in honour of the tropical paradise he grew up around, it continues to conjure memories of the Colombian Caribbean. Travel and music are deeply connected.
Sophie studies history and Spanish at Clare and spent her year abroad in Buenos Aires. She vividly recalls the first time she joined some of her Brazilian hostel friends for beers. They ended the night by shamelessly singing the beautifully sad ‘O mundo é um Moinho’ by Cartola in the middle of the street, their arms wrapped around each other in .
