Nice Combination

Nice Combination is a booking agency representing artists such as Fernando Vacas, Pepe Zapata, Seydu, Nakany Kanté, Afro Dead, Guitari Baro, and Dj Luna.

"La Cajoneada de Pepe Zapata" is a participatory arts project featuring the *cajón* (box drum) as the star—Peruvian in style yet rooted in flamenco—taking audiences on one of the fascinating journeys of African music, given its Afro-Peruvian origins. Picture a public square and a multitude of *cajóns*: Zapata brings the rhythm, while Vicente Gelo brings the flamenco spirit. It culminates in a cathartic experience shared with a collective, beaming smile.

The project recently received the Sustainability and Social Work Award at WOMAD South Africa '26 in Cape Town.

Fernando Vacas—aka Vallellano Soundsystem—represents the mischievous, fun-loving side of the inimitable Fernando Vacas. Built on an electro-flamenco foundation, the sound ranges from disco-rumba and laid-back rumba to Latin, reggae, and psychedelia. The stage show can feature vocals, dance, *palmeros* (hand-clappers), percussion, and guitars, bringing together talent from Córdoba and local guest artists from the performance venue.

Seydu presents his new album, *Pray*—his fifth to date. It is a captivating musical expression of peace, hope, and solidarity. An exceptional musician and exquisite producer who divides his time between Sierra Leone and Spain, Seydu boasts a long career collaborating with artists ranging from Kiko Veneno, Raimundo Amador, Rosario, Ketama, Alejandro Sanz, and Miguel Bosé to Stevie Wonder and Youssou N'Dour, as well as working on productions for the Nubenegra label. His live performances are captivating and highly participatory.

Nakany Kanté has become a superstar in Guinea; she recently won two awards at the Guinean Excellence Awards in Washington, USA, and is nominated for Best Stage Artist and Best Celebrity Costume at the Zikomo Africa & Caribbean Awards '26. After releasing three albums in Barcelona with Slow Walk Music in a "Tradi-Moderne" style, she gradually transitioned to the Mandingue Afropop sound that is taking West Africa by storm. Her artistic vision embodies a new, collaborative Africa, and her voice represents the voice of women.

The project was founded in Málaga in 2006 by Javier Zarco—a key figure in Barcelona’s music scene during the 2000s, working as a manager, promoter, and record producer. His career began with Diamano Club Mestizo (1995), working with artists such as Kaira, Nino Galissa, Fanta and Djiby Cissokho, Lumbalú, Dusminguet, Sargento García, Wagner Pâ, Ojos de Brujo, Macaco, Tonino Carotone, Peret, Chico César, Axel Krygier, Otto, Nação Zumbi, Los Rabanes, El Gran Silencio, and Nortec Collective. He later moved to LFC (2002), a 360-degree agency representing acts like Ojos de Brujo, Muchachito Bombo Infierno, 08001, The Bollywood Brass Band, and Fundamental. He also worked through Zientovolando (2007) with Peret, Patriarcas de la Rumba, Los Amaya, Marditos Roedores, Raimundo Amador, Kumar, Was Riot, and Electroputas. Finally, at Slow Walk Music (2013), he collaborated with Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, Nakany Kanté, Afro Dead, Anita Zengeza, Kwame Adzraku, Afrikemet, Nayaban Jean, London Afrobeat Collective, Binky Griptite, Ebo Taylor, Trio Da Kali, and Jean Paul Wabotaï, releasing over thirty albums by African musicians based in Barcelona. He has received prestigious international accolades, including the Womex Best Label Award, a Latin Grammy, the Spanish Music Academy Award for Best International Tour, SGAE Manager of the Year, two BBC World Music Awards, as well as Impala, Cubadisco, and La Banda Elástica awards.