UC San Diego

Salsa choke echoed on Colombia’s streets during the 2021National Strike, uniting marginalized communities through rhythm, movement, and resistance. In Cali—dubbed the Salsa World Capital—a powerful social movement emerged from the historically neglected Aguablanca District: La Primera Línea, a grassroots collective that stirred a new generation to confront systemic inequality and violence. This essay explores salsa choke as both a cultural expression and a political tool, situating it within the historical continuum of son and salsa as mediums of Afro-diasporic resistance. By analyzing how La Primera Línea and protesters nationwide used music to reclaim public space and affirm cultural identity, this study highlights the enduring role of Afro-Colombian sonic traditions in the struggle for justice and inclusion.