Want some Guarani music to help you practise the language? Here’s 10 essential Guarani musicians.

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Guarani Music You’ll Love: 10 Of The Best

Guarani is a language that’s easy to fall in love with. In part, that’s because the music is so great and gets straight under your skin. Yes, I’m a sucker for an accordion.

If you don’t know much about Guarani, my documentary episode about the language is the starting point I recommend.

And when you’re ready, here’s my favourite Guarani bands and musicians.

Tekove

I’ll never get over Tekove’s cover of Mborayhu Asy. It’s so peaceful, beautifully sung, and emotional.

As will be the case for a lot of the artists on this list, there’s some Spanish blended in because that’s the Paraguayan way!

However, their catalogue is a celebration of traditional Paraguayan music with modern twists.

I also love Kuña Guapa, but start here with Mborayhu Asy..

OWERA

Hailing from a Guarani Mbya community south of Sao Paolo, OWERA is a genius at blending his rap skills with Guarani lyrics and South American musical themes.

An essential force in keeping a language like Guarani current, OWERA is a must listen.

Start with Jaguatá Tenondé.

Tierra Adentro

Like Tekove, Tierra Adentro bring Guarani classics into the present day, but also add in their own songs too. Some in Spanish, some in Guarani, always a joy to listen to.

They’ve even been nominated for Best Folk Album at the Latin Grammys twice. Listen to them now and when they inevitably win, you can say you heard them before they went mainstream.

My favourite is Aguije, which means ‘thank you’ in Guarani.

Purahei Soul

Purahei means ‘song’ in Guarani. This duo bring a swing/folk to their blend of Spanish & Guarani lyrics.

That blend of the two languages is often referred to as Jopara, and Purahei Soul give great examples throughout their discography of Jopara in use.

Desapego is a gorgeous place to start.

Tekovete

Another great example of the blending of the languages, Tekovete’s lyrics are full on Jopara (and available on Spotify to easily read along!).

Like OWERA, Tekovete combines hip hop and rap with some indigenous instrumentation and sounds.

I love the pacing on Arriero Machetero. This live version has Spanish subtitles.

Revolber

There’s a handful of rock bands in Paraguay that occasionally throw in some Guarani words. Revolber is here to represent all of them.

Use the ‘Radio’ feature on Spotify to find more when you open up Revolber.

A perfect example of how Guarani music is never just about pure 100% Guarani. It’s a language that co-exists with Spanish, and the use here is testament to that.

As a No Doubt fan, I like the ska vibes on Jahapa.

Enrique Hellmers

Although he mostly sings in Spanish, the album Aguije is great.

If you like Tekove, you’ll probably enjoy this.

Heta Rohayhu Ndeve means I love you a lot. A good start point!

Emiliano R Fernandez

One of the great Paraguayan poets and musicians, Emiliano R Fernandez ‘officially’ only has 2 songs on Spotify. But his songs have been covered multiple times, so you’re bound to find some of his work again and again!

Two of the most popular I see a lot are Che La Reina and 13 Tuyuti.

I love this version of 13 Tuyuti by Quintana Escalante.

Quemil Yambay

Yambay is a famous songwriter and musician known for his Paraguayan polkas and Guaranías.

This is what existed before the likes of Tekove and Tierra Adentro. You can see the clear connections after hearing both!

My favourite (because I can’t resist a mid-song ‘woohoo’) is Nde Poty Ryakuanguemi.

Francisco Russo

What I love about Francisco Russo is his diversity. And yes, I’m biased as soon as I learn someone sings in multiple languages!

He sings in Spanish, Guarani, Portuguese, English, Italian and French.

Although he has versions of classics like 13 Tuyuti, he also sings his own Guaranías in Guarani, which is really cool.

I’m recommending Ñane Retã Pysyrõ Harépe purely because it’s so lyric heavy, so great if you want to hear how Guarani sounds.

Guarani Music Playlist

If you’re ready to listen to more Guarani music, my playlist of these and more of my favourites is a great starting point.

It’s available on Spotify and I update it now and then when I come across new Guarani songs I enjoy.

Join Music Maestro

If you want to learn how to best use music in your language learning, I recommend Music Maestro.

This course guides you through how you can make music a useful language resource, rather than just a passive extra.

So you can combine your two passions of music and languages & keep your motivation to learn languages high because you’re more engaged.