La Gente is a Bay Area based international recording group led by Colombian/Nicaraguan San Francisco born singer-songwriter Rafael Bustamante Sarria. The group has created their own unique multi-lingual blend of Reggae, Salsa, Hip-Hop,Cumbia, Rock, Reggaeton and World Music. They perform a high energy dance party that always features a host of guest musicians and MC's and have cultivated a large, loyal and eclectic following. They have independently released three studio albums, numerous live recordings, two DVD's and are currently in production to simultaneously release their fourth studio album and Hip-Hop/Reggae Mixtape collaborating with a variety of international recording artists.
Lead Singer Rafael Sarria is also a resident artist at The Red Poppy Art House and one of the head organizers for M.A.P.P.
(Mission Arts Peformance Project)
La Gente was founded in by Rafael Sarria and Diana George and was originally called "The People" in 2001, since then They have performed numerous festivals, universities, radio stations, museums, art galleries and major venues all over the US. For example: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Austin, and New York, in such venues as The Great American Music Hall, Slims, Yoshi's San Francisco, The de Young Museum, Mezzanine SF, The Viper Room, and the Knitting Factory. La Gente has also performed internationally in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, England, Italy, France, and Spain. Their notoriety and showmanship had found them sharing the stage with other recognized recording artists as George Clinton and The P-Funk All Stars, E-40, The Digital Underground, Coolio, Pato Banton, Lyrics Born, Rupa & The April Fishes, Pete Escovedo, Hyro-Glyphics, Meklit Hadero, Batch & Ras Attitude, The B-Side Players, Sila and The Jazz Mafia.
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