Salsa Choke
What is salsa choke?
It wasn’t until I arrived in Colombia in 2016 that I heard of salsa choke. I was confused at first, since after dancing for years I figured I’d heard of everything. So what is salsa choke?
Salsa choke was born in Colombia and mixes traditional salsa with reggaetón, hip hop and other modern Colombian influences. The dance moves have a similar vibe to the hip hop party dances of the 80’s—simple catchy moves that everyone can copy and follow. It’s all about adding your own flavor to the steps.
It can be danced solo or following a leader, like in a salsa animation.
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Where does salsa choke come from?
Salsa choke is from the largely forgotten city of Tumaco, Nariño on the Pacific coast of Colombia. It emerged around the year 2012 and quickly gained popularity for its energetic and rhythmic style that blends traditional salsa with reggaeton and Afro-Colombian influences. The Pacific region of Colombia is largely an Afro population.
According to DJ Marlong Son y Sabor, “The music of salsa choke was born on the Colombian Pacific coast, specifically in Tumaco, because the first fusions were made there. However, as a musical genre, it was born in Cali because it is in Cali where the dance style originated. To be considered a genre, it must have its own music and dance.” Source
It was made famous in 2014 during the Brazilian World Cup after the world saw the Colombian team do their victory dances.
The dance moves emphasize hip movement and syncopated footwork, making it a favorite in social gatherings and dance clubs. Salsa Choke has become a symbol of cultural identity and pride in the Colombian Pacific region.
Is salsa choke really a style of salsa dancing?
The roots definitely come from salsa but, because it lacks the partner dancing aspect, it doesn’t feel like salsa dancing to me. It definitely has a more 80’s hip hop party vibe to it with simple steps that people make up and copy.
It’s also most commonly danced in an animation, which salsa isn’t.
So, when I speak about styles of salsa dancing, I usually exclude it from the conversation. That said, it is a newer style of music and dance that is culturally relevant in Colombia and, who knows, it may evolve and spread.
How do you dance salsa choke?
“Choque” in Spanish means a shock, bump or a collision. Salsa choke brings a hard beat and is all about hip movement and syncopated steps.
The most basic step is simple step-touch. From there, it evolves into the second basic step that’s a 1-2-3-tap, like in bachata.
From there, the rest of the steps take inspiration from hip hop, reggaetón and other influences in Colombia’s Pacific region. It’s really up to your imagination and individual style as a dancer. Explore and create!
Some top salsa choke songs and artists
Ras Tas Tas – Cali Flow Latino
Swagga – Cali Flow Latino
Paguan Paguan (La Patineta) – Cali Flow Latino
Salsa & Choke – Chocquibtown (actually feels good for dancing salsa)
Semaforo – Corazones 3D Feat Casanova
La Rumba Va Sola – Los Traviesos
La Tusa – Integracion Casanova
Limon Con Sal – Rimante feat Santy
Clean – Mishelle Master Boys
Final thought
Next time you meet a Colombian, ask if they know salsa choque and if they can teach you some moves.
Note: don’t expect all Colombians to know how to dance!