Totó la Momposina: The Flower that Appears and Disappears
Tatiana Spencer explores the world of Colombian folk music legend Totó la Momposina.
Wed, 25 November 92
5 Hip Hop and EDM artists who sampled Totó la Momposina
Over the past ten years, the Colombian Queen of Cumbia Totó la Momposina and her recordings have become synonymous with the practice of sampling in hip-hop and electronic dance music. We take a look at five key tracks that have sampled Totó's music.
1. Jay-Z
Blue’s Freestyle/We Family
One of the most acclaimed rappers of all time, Jay-Z, sampled Totó’s song ‘La Verdolaga’ on his most recent album, 4:44. ‘La Verdolaga’ was released on Totó’s very first album, and was re-issued on a vinyl compilation earlier this year called La Verdolaga.
2. Michel Cleis
La Mezcla
Swiss DJ Michel Cleis became the star of the international club scene in 2009 when his track ‘La Mezcla’ became the smash hit of the summer. Sampling ‘El Pescador‘ and ‘Curura’ from Totó’s 1993 album La Candela Viva, ‘La Mezcla’ remains an Ibiza staple almost ten years later.
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3. Timbaland
Indian Flute
American hip-hop producer and rapper Timbaland dominated the pop charts throughout the 2000s with his unmistakable percussion-heavy, minimalist sound, which was the backbone of key albums for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado and Missy Elliot. The song ‘Indian Flute’ on his 2003 collaboration with rapper Magoo, Under Construction Part II, contains an uncredited sample of ‘Curura’ from La Candela Viva.
4. Rich Boy
Get To Poppin’
Alabama-based rapper Rich Boy’s debut self-titled album charted at #3 on the Billboard 200 in 2007, and contains an uncredited sample of Totó’s ‘La Verdolaga’ on the song ‘Get To Poppin’.
5. Mario Ochoa
Habla Con La Luna
Mario Ochoa is a Colombian DJ and producer known for his unique House & Tech House music style. His breakthrough hit ‘Habla Con La Luna’ became a huge success in Latin America and Europe, sampling Totó’s 1993 recording of ‘El Pescador‘.
Special Offer
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Totó la Momposina’s seminal album La Candela Viva, the 2015 re-issue of the album, Tambolero, and remix vinyl EP The Garabato Sessions are available with a 20% discount via the Real World Store. You can also download the album in hi-res 24-bit 96kHz via Bandcamp.
Featured Release
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Released 09 September 1993
La Candela Viva was the album that ignited Totó la Momposina’s international career and saw her recognised as a star in her native Colombia. It was partly recorded during the Real World Recording Week of 1991 and partly in 1992 with legendary producer Phil Ramone, and presents three distinct musical styles - Tambores, Sextetos and Gaitas – in a set of inspired performances.
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Further reading
Totó La Momposina releases vinyl compilation ‘La Verdolaga’
Fans of the Colombian legend will be glad to have some of her classic tracks on vinyl for the first...
Fri, 22 June 18
Totó la Momposina in Paris: a Colombian refugee becomes a star
How the Colombian musical icon’s career blossomed in the 70s and 80s in France
Fri, 22 June 18