Havana Rap Concerts: Oct. 15, 17, 21, 30
By Helson Hernandez*
HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 12 — Cuban rappers will be on stage in October in various parts of Havana. The effort is being organized by the institution that brings together the exponents of this genre on the island: the Cuban Rap Agency.
“ADVERZARIO”, the maestro of freestyle and the master of an explosive stage presence, will be presenting a repertoire characterized by songs from his previous albums, including the most recent “Impresiones de alguien que no duerme” (Impressions of someone who doesn’t sleep). In this latest album, he draws attention to several socio-cultural issues in today’s Cuba and a need for a sense of responsibility.
In the musical aesthetic of his very versatile and profound lyrics, throughout his career “Azdverario” has been defined by his beliefs in the Yoruba religion and his conviction that he’s a messenger of the reality that exists in Cuba’s marginalized neighborhoods.
The concert is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, at 8:00 pm at the Sala Avenida in Playa municipality. Adversario’s invited guests include other hip hop artists, dancers and regularly featured graffiti artists.
ANONIMO CONSEJO is a group that has self-proclaimed itself the “Hip Hop Revolution” and who emphasize their musical vision in working with Afro-Caribbean currents, while establishing a special Afro-Cuban line. They perform on Monday October 17 at 4:00 pm at the Huron Azul center of UNEAC (Cuban Artists and Writers Association) on 17th Street in the Vedado district.
Anonimo Consejo is known for showing their concern for eradicating any kinds of differences and injustices, in addition to rescuing values and principles that have been lost by many of today’s members of Cuban society.
The group OBSESION are proud representatives of peoples of African descent — shown both in their aesthetics and in the art they deliver in every appearance.
The upcoming performance by Obsesion will take place on Friday, October 21, at 10:00 p.m. at the Riviera Cinema on centrally located 23rd Street.
Obsesion performs the fourth Friday of each month these artists allowing us to access their project called “D-3.” The idea of their concerts is to always have three guest groups that will make new and creative ways of presenting hip hop visible – while not forgetting the essential elements for understanding this culture so as to contribute to a better understanding of its history. The merit of this program is its contribution to the enrichment of what is considered the “new school of Cuban hip hop.”
The “PA’BAJO” project will close this Octuber concert series in style with guest artists DJ Edgaro, Primera Base, La Nena and Conflicto Social. The show will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the basketball courts (“Las Canchas”) at 23rd and B streets in the Vedado district.
“Pa’bajo” (“from below”) — a program that presents Cuban hip hop culture — was born in Havana and is now marking its second year of existence. In it we see a mixture of music with other elements of sports, dance and urban art as it seeks to draw on youth talent and promote human development among its participants.
At the same time it helps provide healthy recreational alternatives while stimulating positive human values, physical well-being and social unity. Each month the Pa’bajo program is hosted by a disk jockey and features three different rap groups from here in Cuba.
*With information from the Cuban Rap Agency