MARISOL & Tamboréal Samba Bloco

MARISOL | Urban Latin, RNB (Peru)

A Peruvian immigrant who arrived in Canada as a refugee and grew up within Montreal’s hip-hop and dance scenes, MARISOL took the time to study his local and international idols before touching a MIDI keyboard for the first time in 2017. Self-taught, he learned to produce and write his own songs, developing a distinctive artistic voice. His music is a vibrant fusion of Latin percussion, 1970s jazz samples, hip-hop textures, and melodies sung in multiple languages. This cultural richness shines through in his danceable grooves and warm atmospheres that transcend genres. He first made his mark on the local scene under the stage name Guapo, as part of the rap group CLOUD N9NE. Since the group’s hiatus in mid-2022, MARISOL has fully embraced his solo path, exploring the musical styles that shaped him — from R&B and reggaeton to afrobeats and electronic music. A multidisciplinary artist, he is now crafting a deeply personal universe that is at once intimate, eclectic, and firmly rooted in his origins.

Tamboréal Samba Bloco | Samba Bloco (Brazil)

Born in Montreal, Tamboréal Samba Bloco is a percussion collective that celebrates Afro-Brazilian rhythms and the city’s cultural diversity. Composed of musicians from diverse backgrounds, the group transforms sound into a space for connection and celebration, blending tradition, creativity, and contagious energy. Inspired by the beats of samba, maracatu, ijexá, and other Afro-Brazilian rhythms, Tamboréal has forged a unique sonic identity — a fusion of Brazilian warmth and Quebec’s urban pulse. But the project extends beyond music: it is an affirmation of community, belonging, and collective joy. The group has performed on major stages and at cultural events across Montreal and Quebec, including the Festival Nuits d’Afrique (before an audience of over 5,000), the Islande Fête Festival, and the Montreal Beer Festival. In 2025, Tamboréal was also a semi-finalist in the Syli d’Or competition, highlighting its originality and strong presence on Montreal’s music scene. More than a musical group, Tamboréal Samba Bloco is a cultural movement that turns rhythm into a gesture of unity — between North and South, past and present, and all those whose hearts beat together through percussion.