Uchpa came to fame singing in the Quechua language. Formed in Ayacucho in 1991, initially
playing cover versions of Nirvana in Quechua, and subsequently classic 1960s and 1970s rock.
The initial line-up was almost entirely made up of musicians from Ayacucho, except for Fredy
Ortiz and Igor Montoya (both from Andahuaylas). They included: Tampa, Koki, Mr. Blues and
Jaime Pacheco. However, the members went their separate ways. Igor went travelling and Fredy
moved to Lima, to work as a policeman, taking the demos with him, and reforming the group in
Lima, with the same name but different members.
Following two first albums, Uchpa released a third, Qukman muskiy (A different breath,
2000), once again entirely in Quechua. This album made them much better known in the
Peruvian capital.
“Chachaschay”, one of the group's best known songs, is a typical Peruvian huayno from
Chaccra, a locality situated between the borders of the Apurímac and Ayacucho; it is a
huayno usually played with a harp and violin and sung by a woman. It is well known as a
classic among the people of Andahuaylas, Apurímac and Ayacucho, and very different from the
urban huaynos (Ñachu Mamayki yachanña Chachaschay/Quri anillu Qusqayta Chachaschay/ñachu
mamayki yachanña chachaschay/Quri anillu Qusqayta chachaschay/Yachachun yachachun
chachaschay/Quri anillu Qusqayta chachaschay - first verse).
