Yo soy la cumbia
Jalisco: Universidad de Gualadajara, (Colección la media vuelta), 2025. First Edition. Hardcover. 308 pages, photos, boards, 23 cm. New. Item #88997
ISBN: 9786075816302
Is a vital contribution to contemporary musicology because it treats "popular" music with the intellectual rigour usually reserved for classical genres. The book’s greatest achievement is its transnational perspective; instead of viewing cumbia as a static relic, the authors present it as a living, breathing organism that thrives on hybridization.
By analyzing the lyrics, the technological shifts (from vinyl to digital), and the subcultures surrounding the genre, the authors successfully argue that cumbia is the true lingua franca of the continent. It is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the rhythmic pulse that connects the favelas, the barrios, and the global dancefloors of the 21st century.
Price: $39.90