Photo Courtesy: Quinto Imperio
Chicago-based Cumbia Fusion band, Quinto Imperio tells stories of hope and resistance in their new album, Crónica Inmigrante. Quinto Imperio uses a blend of vivid latin rhythms, cultural duality, and storytelling to provide a message of resilience during anxious times. As recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief, many members of the band get personal in Crónica Inmigrante, expressing through songs their own experiences as immigrants. Despite the challenges immigrant youth face, band members are walking toward or have already earned a college degree while creating a scholarship fund for undocumented students in their community.
Many families are anxious after newly elected President Donald Trump promised to deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants once in office. This past week’s events have shown him inching closer to this promise but not without resistance from the immigrant community. “It was through music that we discovered a voice we didn’t know we had,” shares Edy Dominguez, vocalist for Quinto Imperio. “Because people’s resiliency can only be as strong as the unity of our voices, current times require everyone to find and share their voice.
”The songs on Crónica Inmigrante will make you think, they may make you tear up, and they will make you dance, as so much great storytelling in music does.
The Chicago natives debuted their album and music video Crónica Inmigrante digitally on Jan. 28. The music video stars Angy Rivera, Colombian-born, undocumented activist and protagonist of PBS’ POV documentary, Don’t Tell Anyone (No le digas a nadie)