No canto por cantar, canto por no llorar/salud y suerte y que la vida les da mas

October 30, 2008 8:09 AM

I've been digging on the cuban hip hop lately. I've seen the doc East of Havana. I listen to las Orishas, and I have the soundtrack/related album to East of Havana by El Cartel. I do like the artists featured there, but I enjoy las Orishas more because it feels a bit more infused with traditional Cuban music. Any recommendations of what else I can listen to?

I'm already all about non-hiphop Cuban music like Buenavista Social Club and most of its individual members who produce(d) independently, Afrocuban Allstars, music from Before Night Falls (movie) etc. I'd be happy to take additional recommendations on other Cuban music but especially interested in hip hop right now. Other spanish language hip hop would also be welcome.

posted by Soulbee to media & arts (3 comments total)

This album might be a good place to start.
I find these artists interesting:
Krudas Cubensi, Cuban feminist hip hop. They tour the U.S. pretty regularly too.
Obsesión (annoyingly slow flash site w/ video and audio)
Doble Filo (likewise)

On non hip-hop in Cuba, since you mention Buena Vista and Afro-Cuban All Stars, I wonder if you know about Timba, a more contemporary dance genre that is less well-known in the US. You should check it out.
posted by dr. boludo at 8:57 AM on October 30, 2008

sweeeet. my lame work computer can only handle a little bit of streaming media but i'm already digging krudas cubensi. i'll check out the rest when i get home! gracias.
posted by Soulbee at 11:01 AM on October 30, 2008

check this out:
Guerrilla Radio: The Hip-Hop Struggle Under Castro
posted by mrmarley at 12:24 PM on October 30, 2008