Afropop Worldwide

Monsieur Periné performing at CRASHfest in Boston. (Photos by Ian Coss)

You never know what just opening a door can lead to. Santiago Prieto was 12 years old and touring his new music school when the director opened a door to show him a practice room. Inside, a guitar student was playing Pink Floyd, and Prieto—who had enrolled as a classical violinist—said "wow."

The other student was Nicolás Junca, and today the pair—both on guitar now—propels the often-swung rhythms of Monsieur Periné. The Colombian sextet took home a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in December, and in January set out their first U.S. tour. They even saw snow for the first time—it’s been a big year.