Anatomy of a Hit: Grupo Niche Breaks Down “Cali Pachanguero” on Its 40th Anniversary

Santiago de Cali or simply Cali — Colombia's third most populous city after Bogotá and Medellín — is known as “La capital mundial de la salsa” (the salsa capital of the world) given the city's love of the genre and not only that, they are talented artists. Among them is Grupo Niche, which was founded in Bogotá but moved to Cali in 1982.

Known for classic salsa tunes like 'Una Aventura', 'Gotas de Lluvia' and 'Mi Pueblo', Niche was founded 44 years ago by the late Jairo Varela. One of the group's most notable songs, however, is “Cali Pachanguero,” a song that resonates with proud Colombians everywhere and is a must-play at any Latin party.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the latter track, the Grammy-winning Latin ensemble is on the road with the Pachanguero tour, which has already made stops in Australia, Los Angeles, Panama, Peru and Miami.

“It's the new Grupo Niche show, with a new proposal and a new stage performance,” says singer Alejandro Iñigo. Advertising sign. “We'll be performing at a jazz festival in New Orleans and doing the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico, where we'll be bringing the group's legacy to a new audience and a different market. The tour is full of surprises and big things.”

Niche, along with the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, won the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best Salsa album with Niche Sinfónico. Now, the group is working on a new album that fans will love, according to singer Alex Torres.

“It's going to be a great album that will definitely reach a bigger audience,” he notes. “It will be with new songs and very modern, keeping the parameters and musical concept of the group.”

Below, team members break down how “Cali Pachanguero” came to be.

The story of the song

“This is a song composed by maestro Jairo Varela,” says José Aguirre, Niche's musical director and trumpet player. “He composed it in a hotel in New York after talking to a friend when he was feeling an absence and a lot of nostalgia [being away] from Cali. Talking to him, he was inspired to create this song. After that came the recording stage.”

Lyrics & Audio

The lyrics in “Cali Pachanguero” describe the city of Santiago de Cali, Colombia — with its bustling carnivals, lively atmosphere and beautiful people — told by someone who is far away and longing to return home.

“The rhythm, which had a very big boom in the 70s in salsa and in the world, is a rhythm called 'pachanga' and that's why he called the song 'Cali Pachanguero,'” explains Aguirre. “It's a very commercial tune that's under the roof of the rhythms that make up salsa music. It was recorded in 1984 and not only was an immediate success at the Cali fair, but also a success throughout Colombia and abroad with such power that today it has become a symbol of Latin music.”

Song's Impact

Aguirre continues: “This song was already born big. It came out at a very important time for Grupo Niche. Just from the success he had at the show that year [1984], began to move the masses. It is a project that is gaining popularity. In fact, at the beginning of those years, the song was only played in Cali because he was from that city. But today, the song should be played everywhere. It's a song that needs to be played [at our concert]. Everywhere [in the world]people claim it as their own.”

His Legacy

“Maestro Jairo Varela left a very solid foundation with his determination and discipline,” notes singer Luis Araque. “He always worked with this series of ideas. Respecting the music, respecting his concept and respecting what he's done, I think everything with the group has gone very well. All of us in the team know that we have to arrive early, that we can't get drunk, that we have to give a status to this discipline.”