Afro-ANDEAN FUNK

peru/usa

Afro-Andean Funk

🇵🇪🇺🇸

Afro-Andean Funk 🇵🇪🇺🇸

Afro-Andean Funk is a Peruvian-American band nominated for a 2022 Latin Grammy, led by singer Araceli Poma and producer/bassist Matt Geraghty. Their music breaks cultural barriers by creating a powerful sound that blends traditional Andean music and the Afro-Peruvian scene with funk, rock, and West African rhythms.

Formed in 2021, Afro-Andean Funk released their debut album, The Sacred Leaf (2022), followed by the latest release, Flower on Fire (2023). Both albums, feature original compositions that address themes of social struggles, shamanic rituals, and cultural traditions. The band’s goal is to unite musical cultures and, most importantly, bring visibility toendangered Indigenous languages, such as Quechua. The music of Afro-Andean Funk serves as a vehicle to keep this heritage alive and promote understanding and respect among all people.

Vocalist Araceli Poma has become one of the most representative traditional artists of her generation in Peru. Her work has been defined by creating platforms for female artists to share their stories and struggles against racism and marginalization. Bassist, composer, and producer Matt Geraghty met Poma in a recording studio in Lima, Peru, in 2019, while filming a documentary series featuring a talented group of female singers from the Afro-Peruvian and Criolla scene. Poma was selected as a featured singer on the documentary and album, The Warrior Women of Afro-Peruvian Music, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Geraghty was impressed by Poma’s talent as an artist and her creative drive to bring traditional Peruvian music to the world. From that moment on, they began to join forces to break cultural barriers through music and achieve a new sound and Afro-Andean Funk was born. The band is now based in New York City, where they have performed at the Lincoln Center and Bryant Park in front of thousands of fans.