Mexican 'Sonideras' Launch Ninth 'Musafest' Celebrating Female DJs and Dance Culture

Mexico City is set to host the ninth edition of 'Musafest,' a vibrant celebration of the sonidero, a traditional public street dance culture. This year's festival, founded by the feminist collective Musas Sonideras, will showcase 50 women, bridging generational gaps within this unique movement.

The event promises a rich tapestry of sound and tradition, featuring established "dynasties" alongside emerging female artists who are breathing new life into the phenomenon. For the first time, 'Musafest' will incorporate diverse rhythms such as cumbia tribal and bullerengue, adding contemporary flair to the cumbia and tropical music that form the heart of sonidero culture. This tradition, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico City, will be celebrated on July 18 at the iconic Salón Los Ángeles.

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La Socia was the first sonidera by conviction in 1965 in Tepito (...) but there were no other women doing what she did, because if we are very far from getting together now, even more so at that time.

Marisol Mendoza, known as La Musa Mayor and a founder of Musas Sonideras, highlighted the historical significance of women in the sonidero scene. She noted Guadalupe Reyes Salazar, or "La Socia," as the first "sonidera" in 1965, emphasizing the male-dominated nature of the scene even then. Mendoza established the collective in 2017 out of a need to elevate women's work and ensure fair compensation and respect.

Mendoza described the sonidero scene as a sanctuary where women "raise their voices." They use the microphone not just for music but to convey political and social messages, fostering solidarity among peers. "You have to dance through life before life dances on you," Mendoza stated, embodying the spirit of resistance that fuels the sonideras' activism. They have taken their message to public spaces, participating in demonstrations and supporting movements like 8M and families searching for the country's many disappeared persons.

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You have to dance through life before life dances on you.