Concert Recap: Cimafest
Article by Sarah Ruiz
Cimafest ignites Miami with a cultural party celebrating music from the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America
Cimafest brought a cultural party to the Oasis in Wynwood Miami with music celebrating Caribbean, African roots, Funk music and Black and Latin Culture. Artists performed a range of musical genres Funk, Reggae, Reparto and more. Attendees dancing all night, swaying their hips and dancing with each other demonstrated the unity that music brings in festivals like Cimafest.
Among the line up was Trombone Shorty Academy New Orleans Second Line, Wampi, Michaël Brun, Elena Rose, Walshy Fire, Cima Funk and La Tribu. Each artist and group represented a different genre, cultural region and had a unique stage presence and lit up the audience to sing along.
As the fest was about to begin, attendees could hear the rhythms of brass instruments and percussion coming from afar and getting closer. It was the Trombone Shorty Academy New Orleans Second Line welcoming everyone to Cimafest and kicked off the tone of the night which would be filled with music and nonstop movement.
Wampi, a Reparto up and coming artist from Cuba. At only 20 years old he has gained recognition in this genre and opened the night showcasing the Cuban pride and dance moves. Attendees in front of me were singing every lyric, dancing their hips away and showing their admiration for Wampi.
Up next was Haitian DJ and producer Michaël Brun, beginning with his 2018 FIFA World Cup song “Positivo” with J Balvin. He played a range of Kompa, Reggae, Merengue and mixed along the diverse genres of the caribbean. His set ended with his song “Oh Ah” with Cimafunk and split half of the crowd to say “Oh” and the other to say “ah”. This allowed the audience to participate in the music enchanted night.
Songstress Elena Rose poured her heart into a set of songs exploring themes of heartbreak, love, and self-confidence. Performing alongside a live band, Rose's emotive performance struck a chord with the audience, who sang along to hits like "Caracas 2000" and "Disculpa Amiga."
Walshy Fire, a member of Major Lazer, brought the Jamaican vibes to the forefront, paying homage to reggae beats and island music. His eclectic set fused reggaeton, merengue, and Jamaican classics, showcasing his prowess as both a DJ and an electrifying MC.
Cimafunk and La Tribu rocked the night away as the final performance.CimaFunk is a true rockstar in his own lane, with his electric dance moves. La Tribu demonstrated their talents to create a party on the stage that captivated everyone else around to dance. The energy each instrumentalist conveys dancing while playing their instrument ignited the stage with contagious energy to not want the night to end. They performed songs from the EP “CUN CUN PRÁ,” Paciente, and more tunes.
Cimafest was not just a music festival in Miami, it was a cultural communion. It united music lovers from all walks of life under the umbrella of the African diaspora. The DJs and artists created an unparalleled musical experience showcasing true talent among all artists.
Can’t wait for another Cimafest soon!
