"La Rebelión" (translation "the rebellion") is a salsa song written and performed by the Colombian singer Joe Arroyo. The song tells the story of a married African couple, slaves of a Spaniard, in Cartagena, Colombia in the 17th century. The slave owner abuses the wife, and the husband avenges her, starting a rebellion. The recording featured a piano solo by Chelito De Castro. The song was an international hit.[1][2][3]
The song has been included in several lists of the greatest Colombian songs of all time:
Viva Music Colombia rated the song No. 1 on its list of the 100 most important Colombian songs of all time.[4]
It was selected by Hip Latina in 2017 as one of the "13 Old School Songs Every Colombian Grew Up Listening To"; it was praised for its powerful lyrics and described as "one of those 'hold my drink, I'm going to go dance,' songs."[5]
In its list of the 50 best Colombian songs of all time, El Tiempo, Colombia's most widely circulated newspaper, ranked the song at No. 43.[6]
The song became an anthem of pride for Black people in Latin America.[7]
It was listed on Billboard's "15 Best Salsa Songs Ever" in 2018.[8]
It was covered by J Balvin in 2019 for a television commercial for Cerveza Aguila.[9]
