Virtual Chicha Music in Times of Pandemic in Peru

Abstract

Tropical chicha or Peruvian cumbia music, still in its infancy, introduces a new character in the musical environment. This is marked by the virtual. The pandemic, after giving a heavy blow to the music production circuit, stopping its operation, has given it a new impetus, and contrary to expectations, airs of renewal are glimpsed. There has been a rearrangement of its music production process, to adapt to the new pandemic circumstances. It is still part of the path urged by necessity and the new context of restrictions due to COVID-19. It has also been a new learning process. All in the midst of a health, and the worst political crisis that the country has ever known. In this article I will briefly address that process that is still underway. There is nothing defined yet in the chicha, nor what paths it will take. As a new process, the works on the subject are just getting ready. We will do it through first-hand information, interviews, journalistic reports, the internet, social networks, and fieldwork that allow us to outline the new process that chicha music is going through.