Che Sudaka

Che Sudaka is a Barcelona-based group formed in 2002 by Argentinian and Colombian musicians. The band develops from the city’s Old Town busker scene, and its early performances take place on the streets, in bars, on the metro and on suburban trains. Its music draws on a mix of cumbia, latin, punk, reggae, rock and ska, with the band also associated with mestizo and patchanka styles.

Style and themes

From the start, Che Sudaka presents itself as a protest-oriented group. Its lyrics focus on immigration, social inequality and wider conflicts of interest that devalue people. The band’s sound reflects the multicultural environment in which it forms, combining different Latin American and European influences with a live energy associated with its street beginnings.

Recordings and collaborations

The band first gains wider international attention through the track Sin Papeles, which appears on the sampler La Colifata and represents the mestizo scene in Barcelona. Its debut album, Trippi Town (2003), is dedicated to Plaza del Trippi, also known as George Orwell Square, where the members meet. That record includes reggae, ragga, punk-latin and Argentinian folklore influences.

Che Sudaka’s second album, Alerta Bihotza!!! (2005), develops a harder reggae-punk sound. The production involves Gambeat, bassist with Radio Bemba, and the album includes guest appearances by Fermin Muguruza, Yacine, Dede Trake, Gambeat and Lina. In 2007, the group releases Mirando el Mundo al Revés, an acoustic album issued with a DVD containing a documentary, an interview and extra material. This release features Amparo Sánchez, Un Kuartito and Karamelo Santo.

Live work and touring

After its early Barcelona performances, the group builds a reputation through extensive touring and a large number of live shows across Europe and beyond, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Holland and Argentina. Its live performances are described as high-energy and closely tied to the band’s origins in the street music scene.