Central American Joy at Ambiente Central
By Natalia Angeles Event Journalist | @danknaat
With the year coming to an end, Ambiente Central’s end-of-year event highlighted the resilience and creativity of Central American voices as the community stepped into a new year together. The sold-out show was filled with anticipation, pride, and a shared sense of belonging. This year’s EOY celebration centered Central American artists, reflecting the growth, intention, and new era of Ambiente Central’s platform. From the moment guests arrived, the energy felt intentional and powerful. People weren’t just showing up for a night out, but for a night rooted in representation and nostalgia. As the venue filled, it became clear this was more than a party — it was a collective moment shaped by culture and community.
LINEUP ROOTED IN COMMUNITY & NOSTALGIA
This year’s lineup highlighted a range of Central American sounds, from cumbia and reggaeton to punta — each genre carrying its own cultural importance. Ambiente Central’s commitment to uplifting voices within its community was evident through the decision to spotlight Central American artists whose music continues to shape and represent the diaspora.
Known for her blend of reggaeton and cumbia, La Cynthia’s presence reflected the night’s focus on Central American artistry. Ahead of her set, she shared what it meant to perform at Ambiente Central.
“Performing at Ambiente Central is literally God’s work. I started music seven months ago because I didn’t see representation,” she shared. The moment felt like stepping into a space where her culture and identity could exist fully. As a first-generation artist, Cynthia expressed that her intention while performing was for the crowd to recognize themselves in her music.
“I want them to feel represented, happy, excited, in the moment, and present,” she explained. Cynthia also shared how her background deeply influences her work. Raised by a single mother, the strength and hustle she witnessed growing up continue to drive her artistry. Her lyrics center women’s empowerment and presence — themes heard throughout songs like “SOY LATINA” and “AHORA.” She hopes that when women listen to her music, they feel “seen and heard, and not treated as objects in a song.”
(Photo by Jeffery Duque)
Dirty Sosa, who performed alongside La Cynthia, also reflected on how spaces like Ambiente Central are paving the way for the next generation of Central American artists. Before heading on stage, Sosa shared that platforms like this allow young Latinos to see their culture and voices represented in real time.
When asked how he wanted the crowd to feel during his set, Sosa described the connection he experiences when watching artists he grew up listening to — a feeling that goes beyond performance and becomes mutual understanding. As a Salvadoran American artist, his music is heavily influenced by navigating both cultures, blending them into a sound that reflects his lived experience.
Driven by excitement and pride, Sosa emphasized the importance of first-generation representation. “We are the driving force of this country,” he shared. “We lead with the resilience of our parents, but we also have something to prove — that we are from here.”
(Photo by Jeffery Duque)
Feefa continued to emphasize the importance of spaces like Ambiente Central — platforms that actively push the movement of Central American artists and strengthen community visibility. Ahead of his set, he spoke with anticipation about the significance of performing in a space that uplifts shared culture, values, and lived experience.
For Feefa, events like Ambiente Central are essential to the growth of Central American communities. He shared that when he steps on stage, his goal is for the crowd to feel like themselves. He believes the connection between artist and audience comes naturally, as they often come from the same struggles and carry similar morals and experiences.
Raised in Los Angeles and shaped by the sounds he grew up around, Feefa draws influence from everything that has surrounded him musically. He described his sound as a balance between what feels good and what feels right — comparing it to the “perfect Salvadoran horchata.” His Central American roots remain central to both his music and stage presence.
“It’s the sound, it’s the feel, it’s the sauce — es de todo,” he shared, emphasizing that his culture is inseparable from his artistry.
Harlay Wuezo reinforced Ambiente Central as a leading space for Central American communities — one that evokes a sense of home through music and shared culture. Ahead of his set, he reflected on how rare it felt growing up to see Central American roots celebrated so openly. Because of that, performing in one of the few spaces that truly centers that identity carried deep significance.
When speaking about his intention for the crowd, Wuezo kept it simple and genuine. His goal was for people to feel good and enjoy the moment. For him, events like Ambiente Central exist to create connection — a place where Central American roots can be honored while still allowing space for joy and fun.
His music is deeply influenced by his cultural upbringing, particularly through cumbia — a sound that was constantly present throughout his childhood. Hearing his parents play cumbias helped shape the musical direction he gravitated toward, forming the foundation of his sound and stage presence. “You’ll get a taste of that,” he shared, hinting at how those early influences continue to live through his performances.
(Photo by Jeffery Duque)
Lastly, Ben Carrillo, a Guatemalan artist, described Ambiente Central not just as a platform, but as a movement. Ahead of his set, Carillo shared that this end-of-year event marked his firstperformance in Los Angeles. For such a milestone, he was intentional about choosing a space rooted in Central American culture — one that reflected his identity as a Central American artist.
When speaking about his intention for the crowd, Carillo emphasized openness and emotional freedom. He explained that there is no right or wrong way for people to feel during his performance. Whatever reaction the audience experiences, he considers that a success.
Raised in Guatemala, Carrillo was influenced early on by a wide range of genres, including merengue, reggae, ska, reggaeton, and bachata. As his life shifted from Guatemala to Texas, and later to Los Angeles, his sound continued to evolve — absorbing country, rap, rock, and scream influences along the way. These transitions shaped his music into a reflection of the Latino experience across different regions.
He also shared that being raised by women in Guatemala played a defining role in the music he creates today. “I am a mixture of Central America, and I was raised by women — Central American women,” he stated, underscoring how culture, migration, and family continue to inform his artistry.
(Photo by Jeffery Duque)
AUDIENCE REFLECTIONS
The crowd’s energy reflected the night’s purpose and power. One attendee shared, “Being a Central American born and raised in LA, we never had this. Everybody thinks, ‘Oh, Latinos are Mexican,’ and there’s a Central American erasure in LA. Unfortunately, and it’s the first time our people have something here.” Another attendee added, “It’s super special to find other Guatemalans in this space since it’s really hard. It’s cool to have a space where you can speak Spanglish for a couple hours — it’s really special.” These reflections highlighted how rare and meaningful it is for Central American culture to be celebrated in Los Angeles. For many, Ambiente Central isn’t just a concert — it’s a space where identity, representation, and community come alive, leaving attendees proud, seen, and connected.
Ambiente Central’s end-of-year celebration was more than a showcase of music — it was a testament to the resilience, creativity, and pride of Central American communities in Los Angeles. From the artists sharing their stories and cultural roots to the audience feeling seen and celebrated, the night created a powerful sense of belonging and connection. As the sold-out crowd danced, sang, and shared in the collective energy, it became clear that Ambiente Central is building more than events — it’s creating a lasting movement that uplifts voices, honors identity, and strengthens the fabric of the Central American diaspora in LA.