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Fantasma is an Argentine cumbia outfit created in 2001, formed by Martín Roisi and Pablo Antico, known by their respective stage names; Fantasma (lead guitar and vocals) and Mr. Negro (lead singer). Some consider them to be among the first bands in developing a cumbia rap music style mixed with electronic sounds,^[1] while their style has been described as "Borrowing from the shanty town atmosphere, they mingle tropical cumbia styles with hip hop and electronic sounds." ^[2] They are also involved in activities in shanty towns.^[3][4]

Their official website states the band: "started moving in different social levels in an integration crusade, from touring in Paris (2007) and being played on TV´s primetime show "Susana Giménez," to being founders of the multicultural social project Odisea 20, settled in a shanty town (Villa 20, Villa Lugano)." ^[5][6]

The band took "M.I.A." and dj producer "Diplo" to the heart of a shanty town in Buenos Aires, introducing them to the area. In 2008 they received financing from the Prince Claus Foundation to make the documentary film "Arte Villero/Shanty Town Art" ^[7] for which their music became its soundtrack.^[8]

Regarding their music style, reviewer Juan Data has stated: "it's exactly what neo-cumbia from Argentina should be more: kistchy, tacky, unpretentious, dancy, fun, gritty, hip-hoppy and very original," adding: "and they've been doing new-school cumbia since way before it was cool for hipsters and foreigners." ^[1] Culture Remixed has stated: "Fantasma use the cumbia beat to drop their own very creative blend on top." ^[9]

They are also known around the world as a niche band with a cult following, and part of an emerging music scene.^{[10][11][12][13]}

As well, they have gained some note in their circle for having produced a cumbia version of the reggae song Ghost Town, by The Specials.^[14][15]

1. ^ ^{a b} http://latinbutcool.blogspot.com/2009/07/yo-i-want-to-listen-to-fantasmas-whole.html
2. ^ http://www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/964
3. ^ http://php.terra.com/travel/templates/destino_features.php?&destination=38&feature=30010
4. ^ http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/atoz/article_930890.php
5. ^ http://www.fantasmax.com/bio.html
6. ^ http://heartinmigration.com/2010/04/28/street-art-meets-cumbia/
7. ^ http://vimeo.com/2583476
8. ^ http://www.odisea20.com
9. ^ "http://cultureremixed.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-fantasma-city-by-fantasma.html"
10. ^ http://www.xlr8r.com/features/2009/07/party-out-bounds-zizek
11. ^ http://generationbass.com/2010/04/03/sexxy-saturday-cumbia-10
12. ^ http://liquiddilemma.blogspot.com/2010/04/fantasma-fantasma-city-2010.html
13. ^ http://jacasseries.podomatic.com/entry/2011-01-08T05_41_56-08_00
14. ^ http://generationbass.com/2009/04/18/ghost-town-cumbiaaaaa/
15. ^ http://manrecorder.manrecordings.com/2009/04/ghost-town-cumbia/