Profetas

Profetas is a group from Bogotá, active since 1997. It begins as a hip-hop project formed by three MCs: Pablo Fortaleza, J Bovir and Real One. Two of the original members later leave, and the line-up becomes a duo centred on Antombo Langangui, a central African singer living in Colombia, and Pablo Fortaleza, an Afro-Colombian MC who directs the group and writes most of its songs. The group’s current membership is listed as Antombo.

Style and influences

Profetas builds its sound around hip hop, with influences from Latin music, African-Colombian traditions and African-Caribbean styles such as reggae and dancehall. The group also uses traditional African sound, brought in by one of the singers and guest musicians. This combination is presented as part of a broader new approach to lyrics and music within Colombia’s growing hip-hop scene.

Projects and performances

In 2001, Profetas works with young collectives in working-class neighbourhoods in Bogotá and helps form ADN, a project for artists with limited economic resources. ADN includes the recording of two documentary productions and a series of concerts in neighbourhoods and bars around the city. In the same year, Profetas performs at a hip-hop festival organised by the District Institute of Culture and Tourism of Bogotá, alongside ADN, and is later singled out by El Tiempo as a standout act.

The group goes on to perform in bars, squares and parks across Colombia. Notable appearances include the Centro de Convenciones Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada in 2002 for an event linked to capital fashion, and invitations to Fête de la Musique in Medellín in 2004 and 2005 through the French Alliance. It also appears at Dance Hall night at the 2005 reggae festival in Colombia, alongside Junior Reid, and takes part in Rastazo and Hip Hop al Parque. In 2006 it performs with Alika and Pablo Molina of Todos Tus Muertos, appears at a hip-hop festival in Soacha, and joins Mad Lion on a tour around Colombia. It also takes part in Fête de la Musique events in Bogotá organised by the French Alliance.

Collaborations

Profetas works with a range of international and Colombian hip-hop and related artists, including Afu-Ra, The Pervert Monks, Main Flow, Le Front Verbal, Raszcals, Junior Reid, DJ Will, Triky Tunes, Doctor Krápula and Alerta. These collaborations link the group to hip hop, ska, reggae and Colombian music scenes in Colombia and abroad.