Ojo de Buey

Ojo de Buey is a Costa Rican reggae band whose music blends reggae with Latin and Afro-Caribbean influences.[1][2]

History

Ojo de Buey was formed by a group of seven musicians in Costa Rica. The name Ojo de Buey, meaning 'Bull's-eye' in Spanish, was inspired by a seed native to Costa Rica bearing the same name and is traditionally considered a good-luck charm by locals. Three days before their official live debut, they put together a repertoire of seven covers and one original song. For several months, they continued performing reggae-rock covers at parties and small bars. At the end of July, Ojo de Buey retreated to a beach house in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica,[3] for 10 days to record what would become their first full-length album. Later, in October 2010, they recorded wind instrument arrangements, piano, Hammond organ, and added a few final touches to the album in Los Angeles, California. Here, the album was mixed by Manu Jimenez in Los Angeles and Nick Sabia in Costa Mesa;[4] then it was mastered by Eric Boulanger at The Mastering Lab.[5] As a result, Sabor en un tiempo cruel became the band's debut album in March 2011,[6] receiving the ACAM Award for Best Reggae Album that same year.[7] The band has released a total of three albums and fifteen singles[8] and has performed at venues in several countries across the Americas.

Style and lyrical themes

The band’s music is rooted in reggae and incorporates Latin rhythms and Afro-Caribbean influences, often addressing social themes. The band has cited Bob Marley and Gregory Isaacs as notable influences on their reggae-oriented sound. Their instrumentation typically includes horns, percussion, keyboards, and guitar, reflecting a mixture of reggae and Afro-Latin rhythmic patterns.[9]

The band's lyrics focus on themes related to daily life, interpersonal relationships, and cultural identity. Recurring topics include love, optimism, and social cohesion. In some works, the group addresses social and contemporary issues, though generally through accessible and narrative-driven lyrical structures.[10]

List of venues and events

  • Centro Nacional de la Cultura (CENAC), San José – presentation of Repelente pal’ dolor album (2013)[11]
  • Festival Viva el Planeta (2015)[12]
  • Festival Vive Latino, Mexico City (2016)[13]
  • Patrons Bar & Grill, Dominical, Costa Rica — Reggae to the Rescue benefit (July 16, 2016)[14]
  • La Tribuna, Cartago – Bob Marley tribute tour (2017)[15]
  • La California – Concha de La Lora – Bob Marley tribute tour (2017)[16]
  • Playa Tamarindo – Bob Marley tribute tour (2017)[17]
  • Jacó – Bob Marley tribute tour (2017)[18]
  • Sol Venue, Carson, California, USA (Aug 3, 2017)[19]
  • Neck of the Woods, San Francisco, California, USA (Aug 4, 2017)[20]
  • Reggae on the River, Garberville, California, USA (Aug 6, 2017)[21]
  • Jazz Café Escazú, San José (Nov 30, 2017)[22]
  • Parque de Diversiones, San José, Costa Rica (Mar 3, 2018)[23]
  • Casa Rojas, San José – Laguna Pai y Ojo de Buey (Dec 1, 2023) and Ojo de Buey & Mentados (Aug 31, 2024) [24]
  • Hooligan’s Plaza Real, Alajuela – Christmas show (Dec 25, 2024)[25]
  • Foro Indie Rocks, Mexico City – As part of tour with Laguna Pai. (June 6, 2025)[26]
  • Cultural Roots, Mexico City – As part of tour with Laguna Pai. (June 7, 2025)[27]
  • Parque La Libertad, Desamparados – part of Concierto gratuito por la democracia (Nov 15, 2025)[28]
  • Velada en Paseo de las Flores (El Fortín Principal), San Francisco District (Jan 24, 2026)[29]

Discography

Albums

Source:[30]

  • Sabor en un tiempo cruel (12 tracks; 2011)
  • Repelente pal' dolor (12 tracks; 2013)
  • Seguir Sumando (12 tracks; 2017)

Singles

Source:[31]

  • Una Sola Nación (feat. Bachaco) (2014)
  • Is This Love (feat. Kafu Banton) (2016)
  • Jugada de Pared (2017)
  • Run (feat. Lutan Fyah) (2019)
  • Uppercut (feat. BlackDali) (2020)
  • Keep On Trying (2021)
  • Amor del Bueno (2022)
  • La Cura (Bailando Conmigo) (feat. RVS) (2022)
  • Bailar Un Martes (Cada vez que te veo) (feat. Toledo) (2023)
  • La Calma (feat. Laguna Pai) (2023)
  • Verano Caribeño (feat. Jahricio) (2023)
  • Yo Te Doy (2024)
  • Vuelve (2024)
  • La Ola Que Illusiona (2024)
  • Creer en mí (2025)

Band members

References

  1. ^ "Escuche el nuevo tema del grupo nacional Ojo de Buey". www.larepublica.net (in Spanish). 17 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. ^ "OJO DE BUEY, REGGAE DE COSTA RICA PARA EL MUNDO Entrevistas Rockeros VIP | Rock En Español | Música, Cine, Arte, Fotos, Política, Entrevistas, Vídeos y Más". Rockeros VIP | Rock En Español | Música, Cine, Arte, Fotos, Política, Entrevistas, Vídeos y Más. (in Mexican Spanish). 20 July 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Ojo de Buey | Reggae Fusion". www.ojodebuey.com. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Mixing & Mastering Engineers, Producers & Songwriters who worked with Ojo de Buey | SoundBetter". soundbetter.com. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Ojo de Buey biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Ojo de Buey biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  7. ^ https://ticotimes.net/2016/08/06/not-miss-coca-cola-fest-firsts-edition
  8. ^ "Sabor en un tiempo cruel, by Ojo de Buey". Ojo de Buey. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  9. ^ https://www.rockerosvip.com/entrevista/2018/7/20/ojo-de-buey-reggae-de-costa-rica-para-el-mundo
  10. ^ https://beehy.pe/ojo-de-buey-ya-no-costa-rica/
  11. ^ Lerici, Por Alessandro Solís (27 July 2013). "Ojo de Buey presenta en vivo su nueva producción". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Festival Viva el Planeta", Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre (in Spanish), 23 November 2025, retrieved 21 January 2026
  13. ^ Ch, Por Jessica Rojas (21 April 2016). "Ojo de Buey va por la conquista del Festival Vive Latino". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  14. ^ Admin. "Reggae to the Rescue; Costa Rica Wildlife Preserve Benefit Concert – The Costa Rican Times". Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Ojo de Buey dará gira en homenaje a Bob Marley junto al músico Blackdali". Teletica (in European Spanish). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Ojo de Buey dará gira en homenaje a Bob Marley junto al músico Blackdali". Teletica (in European Spanish). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Ojo de Buey dará gira en homenaje a Bob Marley junto al músico Blackdali". Teletica (in European Spanish). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  18. ^ "Ojo de Buey dará gira en homenaje a Bob Marley junto al músico Blackdali". Teletica (in European Spanish). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  19. ^ "Ojo de Buey". Bandsintown (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  20. ^ "Ojo de Buey". Bandsintown (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  21. ^ "Ojo de Buey". Bandsintown (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  22. ^ "Ojo de Buey". Bandsintown (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  23. ^ "Ojo de Buey". Bandsintown (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  24. ^ "Ojo de Buey & Mentados - Conciertos - Eventos Costa Rica". Eventos.CR. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  25. ^ "Ojo de Buey - Conciertos - Eventos Costa Rica". Eventos.CR. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  26. ^ "El Lado B". El Lado B. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  27. ^ "El Lado B". El Lado B. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  28. ^ "Concierto gratuito por la democracia con Malpaís, Ojo de Buey y más". Concierto gratuito por la democracia con Malpaís, Ojo de Buey y más (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  29. ^ "Velada con Ojo de Buey - Conciertos - Eventos Costa Rica". Eventos.CR. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  31. ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 21 January 2026.


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