Las Ruchis

Las Ruchis formed in the Buenos Aires neighborhoods of the late 1990s, drawn to the cumbia rhythms that filled the streets. The group included Mercedes "La Negra" Sosa on vocals, Macarena "La Faraona" Aguilar on guitar, Veronica "La Pepa" Brizuela on percussion, and Lorena "La Moni" Montero, who danced and sang. They were a collective of women making music in what was largely a male-dominated scene at the time.

Their debut album in 2002 was titled "La Ruchi Va," named for the song that became their signature track. The record introduced their take on Argentine cumbia, built around Brizuela's percussion and Sosa's lead vocals. They followed it with "La Fiesta Continúa" in 2004 and "Somos Las Ruchis" in 2006, albums that kept their rhythmic foundation while trying out different styles.

Las Ruchis wrote lyrics that touched on social issues and female empowerment, which sometimes drew criticism alongside the praise. They kept performing through it, releasing a live album in 2008 that captured the energy of their shows. For a period in the 2000s, their music found a wide audience in Argentina, particularly through songs like "La Ruchi Va."