How Astrology Helps Bomba Estéreo’s Li Saumet Succeed

Liliana “Li” Saumet’s energetic voice over the explosive tropical Caribbean sounds of her band Bomba Estéreo has given us empowering, dancey, and joyful soundtracks for more than two decades — from the 2008 electronic cumbia-reggae hit “Fuego” to the 2015 self-confidence anthem “Soy Yo” to romantic smash hits like 2018’s “To My Love (Tainy Remix)” and 2022’s feature on Bad Bunny’s “Ojitos Lindos.”

Throughout all these eras, Saumet has graced countless stages worldwide and led audiences through what many describe as “spiritual moments,” where the Colombian singer creates a sonic experience perfectly matched to stages featuring altars, prayer candles, crystals, and trippy colors.

“Music has always been a form of spiritual connection for me, which, over time, has become much more conscious and profound,” Saumet shares. “At first, it was much more intuitive, but now I understand that it’s part of my purpose, that music is a tool for healing, both for me and for those who listen to it.”

Today, Saumet is embarking on the next chapter of her musical career alongside Beto Montenegro, frontman of the Venezuelan trippy pop band Rawayana.. Together, the duo have formed “ASTROPICAL”, which is both the name of their combined supergroup and the title of their latest album. As the group continues its ASTROPICAL tour in the US, Saumet tells Popsugar how her spirituality, self-care routines, and pre-tour rituals are key to her success.

“I have daily routines to prepare for any situation, whether it’s filming, a show, or a workday. I love to meditate, aligning myself with the energy of the moment, with the stars, with my intuition, and my feminine power,” Saumet says. “At concerts, this is felt even stronger, because there’s a powerful collective energy that is created with the audience. It’s like a ritual.”

“I love to meditate, aligning myself with the energy of the moment, with the stars, with my intuition, and my feminine power.”

For Saumet, certain practices are non-negotiable because they help her maintain her center, energy, and balance, and they are an integral part of her daily routine.

“Meditating every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes, is key. Moving my body, dancing, doing yoga, and keeping my spaces filled with color and flowers helps me maintain my energy,” Saumet says. “I do this daily, whether I’m working or not, because they remind me and constantly connect me to my purpose.”

Saumet’s connection to astrology is written all over “ASTROPICAL”: from each track name getting a zodiac name assigned to it to the fact that the album was intentionally released before Mercury was in retrograde.

“As a true Capricorn, I take the energy of the stars, especially Mercury retrograde, very seriously. We knew we wanted ‘ASTROPICAL’ to flow without interference,” Saumet says with a laugh. “For me, planetary cycles are a guiding tool. Just as one sows during the new moon or harvests during the full moon, there are also times to create, to wait, and to release. So it was a completely intentional decision. We wanted the album to come out at a time when the stars were working in our favor, so that the energy would be clear and aligned, and that’s how it was. Everything has flowed as it should.”

For Saumet, aligning her work with astrology isn’t just part of following trends, but rather a lifelong commitment to connecting with the world around her. She explains that when she composes, she pays attention to whether there’s a new moon, eclipses, Mercury retrograde, or important transits, because they influence the tone of what she’s creating.

“It also helps me understand myself interpersonally: how I relate to others, how I can be more empathetic, or how I can set boundaries when I need to,” Saumet says. “I feel like astrology gives me a symbolic language to understand my emotions and those of those around me, and that’s very much reflected in my music and my way of being in the world.”

Listening to “ASTROPICAL” feels like instantly being transported to a relaxing beach, a lush mountainside, or the warmer temperatures of a Caribbean night. With genres including Afrobeats, merengue, and champeta, a brief interpolation of “Tu pum pum” by El General, and nods to Juan Luis Guerra and Tego Calderon, the album seamlessly infuses Saumet and Montenegro’s Caribbean roots. As an ode to her culture, Saumet even partnered with Old Parr Whisky on a “Caribbean Power” cocktail, which Saumet says she loves to enjoy with her friends and at the events she hosts.

Having spent most of her life creating music and touring, Saumet says the last few years have been a profound journey of transformation, noting that she has undergone profound processes — some gentle, others more intense — but all necessary for letting go and transformation.

“Being a Capricorn is something I carry with great pride. I identify strongly with that willpower, discipline, and focus. I’m a hard worker, very committed to what I do, and when I have a vision, I don’t stop until I realize it. That has helped me build a solid and purposeful career,” Saumet says. But “I’ve also had to work hard on letting go of control, which is very difficult for me. Sometimes that Capricorn side of wanting to have everything structured didn’t help me flow at my best. And that’s where the more spiritual side of my path comes in: learning to integrate intuition, sensitivity, and letting myself be guided by what I feel and not just what I calculate.”

As for this new creative chapter of ASTROPICAL, Saumet says the last few years have also reminded her of the vital importance of practicing self-care – meditating, writing, being in nature, and being in the ocean – in sustaining her and transforming her feelings into songs.

“It’s taught me to trust my intuition more and go with the flow,” Saumet says.”I’ve learned that when you align yourself with what the universe has in store, things happen in magical ways.”

Zameena Mejia is a Dominican American freelance writer born and raised in New York City. She is passionate about storytelling and uplifting diverse voices in beauty, wellness, and Latinx lifestyle. Zameena holds a BA in journalism and Latin American studies from the State University of New York at New Paltz and an MA in business reporting from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.