Beny Esguerra arrived as a child to Tkaronto from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with his parents, who were involved in cultural work and human rights activism. He is a Toronto-based, two-time JUNO-nominated musician, producer, poet, arts educator, and community worker. His work bridges Afro-Indigenous Colombian traditions with Hiphop, spoken word, and contemporary production, exploring themes of ancestry, migration, and social justice.
Esguerra’s work has received national recognition, including the Ontario Arts Foundation Arts Educator Award, the Mayworks Award for Excellence in Contribution to the Labour Movement, and the North York Arts Established Artist Award. His releases include the JUNO- nominated Northside KUISi, as well as Eterno (2024) and Somos El Dorado (2025), developed through international collaborations.
As the co-founder of New Tradition Music, he has developed multidisciplinary projects that bring together music, storytelling, and community engagement. He also leads the Wheel it Studios mobile recording initiative, supporting youth through mentorship and access to creative tools.
Ruben is a PhD (ABD) in Musicology/Ethnomusicology, specializing in Colombian traditional music and Hiphop culture. He continues to develop creative and educational work at a sustainable pace.
Sounds Like Toronto – Sounds Like the World is generously supported by the City of Toronto through the Community Celebration Support Fund.
