Colombia’s historic musical tradition opens a new chapter with the release of the 65th edition of The 14 danceable cannon shotsthe emblematic annual compilation of hits from the Discos Fuentes in Medellín.
This selection of songs, which has accompanied the December holidays in homes across the country for more than six decades, It’s described by content creator Lucho Darío as “the most famous playlist in Latin America, I would say the world.”
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The legacy of The 14 danceable cannon shots It dates back to 1961, when the record company founded in Cartagena in 1934 by Antonio Fuentes decided to bring together the most important music hits on a single vinyl record.
According to the same content creator: “Before Spotify, YouTube and before any of us were born, the list of songs that summarized the hits of each year was created in Medellín”.
The original format included 14 tracks, making it an innovation compared to other albums of the time, which usually contained only 12 songs, with the intention of livening up the parties and reflecting the music of the moment.
And the formula has been successful, as there have already been several editions in which Discos Fuentes captured the pulse of the Christmas festivities and offered families a personalized offer that eventually became a tradition in the country.
According to the same company, more than 40 million copies sold prove the impact and validity of this compilation.
Lucho Darío explained that the resounding success of the proposal since its initial introduction led the record company’s management to pursue the idea. “And so 65 years have passed” said the influencer.
Every December, families in Colombia and even other latitudes of the planet sing these hits during celebrations such as Candlelight Day, Christmas and New Year, making the cañonazos the permanent soundtrack of the season.
The year 2025 will expand the collection with new features. Lucho Darío emphasized that this edition “has several gems, starting with the fact that it is a unique collector’s item.”
“Today, having something physical is almost an act of rebellion. That’s why they only released 200 numbered tracks on high-quality vinyl, the same format that started the story in 1961.”the content creator added.
In addition, “the cover, which for the first time shows a man dancing with a woman in the middle of a crowd, tries to reflect the typical atmosphere of neighborhood parties, one of the traditional places of these gatherings,” said the young man, who talks about music, groups and music releases.
Discos Fuentes’ ability to reinvent was demonstrated in each Los 14 Cañonazos presentation.
In addition to the songs, each issue offers valuable elements for collectors and fans of the series. “They brought something that makes them special: illustrations, fonts, USB sticks, collaborations, posters, books, character albums, augmented reality, apps with small games… or rather, everything.” he said
The aim was to preserve the family essence of the tradition and adapt it to each era and that is why the reference was created by The 14 danceable cannon shots This led to controversy over the origins of playlists and how they become relevant in an era of digital consumption and digital platforms.
For the content creator, the Colombian list preceded the logic of contemporary platforms: “Many years earlier, what might be called the first holiday ‘playlists’ triumphed in Colombia, an unwitting predecessor to what Spotify is doing today with Wrapped 2025.”.
The comparison underlines the forward-looking nature of the Discos Fuentes initiative: It lists the most listened to hits of the year and makes them available to the public to enjoy as a community.
The impact of “The 14 Dancing Guns” goes beyond Colombian homes. Its editions are in circulation in several Latin American countries, even among immigrant communities. This shows the roots of this product in the cultural imagination of the region.
The musical selection also fulfills another function: it combines traditional genres with modern sounds. “The songs are a well-curated mix of tropical and current urban,” concluded the content creator.
Each year, the compilation organization adds emerging artists as well as established dance music figures, bridging generations and styles.
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