Global pop charts and star news

They’re banging their heads to the sound old favourites Kapanga again in Argentina. Currently topping the charts is their latest release “Rock”, which reflects, as ever, the groups adventurous commitment to the fusion of, amongst other things, reggae, hardcore, rock and pop.

The band was formed in 1989 by singer Martín el Mono (Martin the Monkey) and Marcelo Balde and was originally named Kapanga y sus Yacerés. After an acrimonious split, the band reformed in 1995, changing the name to Kapanga and the line-up to include Miguel (Maiquel) on guitars and vocals, Claudio (Maffia) on drums and vocals, and Mariano (el Príncipe) on keyboards.

Their first album “A 15cm de la realidad” (“15cm From Reality”) sold 10,000 copies in Argentina alone and demonstrated that strength in numbers had helped add that big sound to their music. But why the name change?

Monkey explained in a recent interview that Yacerés became virtually extinct as a species in Argentina. The alligator-like reptiles were sought by hunters who put their skin to more profitable use. Also known in English as Cayman Jacares, they often grew to over three metres in length. But as Monkey put it, since the yacerés were now only associated with wallets and shoes, the band had no reason to keep the name!