Cumbia Takes Center Stage as Spotify Celebrates Argentina’s Most-Listened-To Genre

Cumbia has long been woven into daily life in Argentina, and its popularity on Spotify continues to grow. The genre now stands as the country’s most-streamed sound, with Buenos Aires leading the world in cumbia listening.

Since 2020, local cumbia streams have surged by 237%, outpacing other popular Latin genres like reggaetón (+79%) and bachata (+155%). In 2023, cumbia grew another 73%, led by Ke Personajes becoming the first cumbia act to top the country’s most-streamed artist list. The momentum continued in 2024 with an additional 15% increase.

Today, 7 out of 10 Spotify users in Buenos Aires listen to cumbia. Midday is the genre’s peak listening time, often providing the backdrop for the city’s signature “asadito cumbiero,” an informal barbecue gathering with friends and family. Streams also spike in December, when cumbia becomes the soundtrack to Argentina’s holiday season.

Cumbia’s journey in Argentina is a story of reinvention. In the 1980s and ’90s, tropical and santafesina styles flourished with Los Palmeras, Grupo Sombras, Los Charros, Antonio Ríos, and Gilda.

The 2000s saw the rise of cumbia villera (Pablo Lescano’s Flor De Piedra, Damas Gratis, Los Pibes Chorros, Mala Fama, Yerba Brava) and a melodic wave from Karina, El Polaco, and Grupo Play.

The 2010s and beyond brought viral dances, cumbia turra, and today’s Cumbia 420 and genre crossovers—think L-Gante, La Joaqui, DJ Tao, and Cazzu blending cumbia with trap and reggaetón.

Cumbia now dominates both playlists and charts. In 2025, some of the most-streamed cumbia tracks in Argentina include

1. “Amor de Vago” by La T y La M and Malandro
2. “Piel” by Ke Personajes and Tiago PZK
3. “Conmigo Te Gustó” by Pinky SD, Un Poco de Ruido, and Uriel Lozano
4. “Perdonarte, ¿Para Qué?” by Emilia and Los Ángeles Azules
5. “Un Besito Más” by Diel Paris and Salastkbron

To mark cumbia’s rise as Argentina’s most-listened-to genre, Spotify hosted three events at Casa Spotify in Buenos Aires:

Un Poco de Ruido performed for top fans, joined by El Mago from La Nueva Luna.
The La Planta launched his new album, La Casa de la Cumbia, spotlighting the genre’s next generation.
Damas Gratis delivered a special 25th anniversary performance, cementing their legacy as cumbia icons.

Whether at family gatherings, neighborhood parties, or sold-out shows, cumbia remains a symbol of joy and togetherness in Argentina. With artists across genres collaborating with cumbia legends, the genre’s future looks brighter than ever.

Ready to dive in? Stream Spotify’s Esto es Cumbia playlist.