Marina y su Melao is a project led by Puerto Rican singer and percussionist Marina Molina, based in Barcelona. Originally from Ponce, she studied popular singing and film music composition before moving to Spain, where she began developing a space for Afro-Caribbean music rooted in Puerto Rican traditions. In response to the absence of bomba puertorriqueña on local stages, she formed the group to explore and present the genre in a way that speaks to both heritage and change.

The ensemble reworks bomba through a contemporary lens, mixing traditional percussion and call-and-response vocals with electric bass, drum kit, and elements from jazz and Latin music. While grounded in the historical rhythms and poetry of bomba, their sound reflects the reality of cultural movement and diaspora. They’ve performed at festivals like Say It Loud, La Mercè and Grec, sharing bills with artists such as La Perla and opening for major acts including Ricky Martin.

“Rezo al Agua” is the lead single from Marina y su Melao’s debut album of the same name, set for release on the 25th April 2025 via Lovemonk. The track focuses on the spiritual and material significance of water, drawing connections between natural elements and cultural memory. Its lyrics and structure move fluidly between the personal and the communal, invoking water as both a life source and a symbol of continuity.

Built on the pulse of bomba, the song layers traditional percussion with a stripped-back yet insistent rhythm, letting the voice carry the message without distraction. The arrangement is deliberate, holding space for reflection while keeping the music grounded in movement and repetition.

You can listen to and pre-order the album HERE