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José María Peñaranda (Barranquilla, Colombia, March 11, 1907 - February 6, 2006) was a renowned Colombian composer known for his contributions to popular music genres such as cumbia, porro, merengue, and other Caribbean styles. He performed and recorded extensively throughout the Caribbean and the United States, with his music being featured in the repertoires of notable artists like Nelson Pinedo and La Sonora Matancera. Among his most famous works are "Se Va El Caimán (The Alligator Is Gone)" and "Me Voy Pa' Cataca (I'll Go To Cataca)," the latter of which was later recorded by La Sonora Matancera as "I'll Go to Havana." Peñaranda was known for his spicy lyrics filled with humorous double meanings, which were daring for his time, placing the onus of interpretation on the listener. He began his musical journey by singing with a guitar or tiple, later learning to play the accordion. His rise to fame began in 1941 when he wrote "El Hombre Caimán (The Man Cayman)," inspired by a coastal legend, which eventually became known worldwide as "Se Va El Caimán." The alligator symbolically represented long-serving political figures. In his early years, he toured Colombia with the string quartet 'Peñaranda Y Sus Muchachos,' alongside musicians Gabriel Garcia, Movilla, Abigail Salcedo Cassiani, Nicolas Ortiz, and

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