Picó sound systems: The beating heart of Colombian bass culture is on its way to global impact
Originating in the 1950s, Colombia’s beloved picó sound systems power some of the most raucous parties in the world, known for an experimental blend of sounds, fierce picotero rivalries, and their own mythology and visual aesthetics. Though there have been repeated attempts to suppress picó culture over the years, the attitudes of authorities and mainstream cultural institutions have started to change, and the associated music styles are connecting with new generations of fans at home and abroad. Wil Crisp reports