[.ca] Cuban Hip-Hop All Stars, Vol. 1

Very Well Done!:
Habana, Cuba in the 21st century: Crumbling architectural relics, stray dogs and proud people. With a powerful vibrant culture. Not much different from the South Bronx in the '70's and '80's. And it is from the 'Boogie Down Bronx' that Hip-Hop was born and that spoken word, hip hop, resonated and traveled with a ferocious energy throughout the world at last reaching embargoed Cuba. So what is Cuban Hip-Hop all about? Today's emcees are asking many questions that this unfulfilled generation wants answered. They express rage at the US embargo. Expect to hear "Si Por Cuba" a re-affirmation for the country that has never backed down. Cuban rappers know their history and culture and one track talks of the national love for Mandela, while another praises the famous Cuban Dancer from the 1950's, Mercedita Valdez, a third discusses the deadly consequences of a life of crime for an exiled 'Marielito' in Miami in 1989. There is no stereotyped swagger among these tracks. The lyrics are sensitive and flavored with a deep understanding of humanity. The music is a subtle curry of old School hip-hop, and new and old Cuban sounds. The music was produced entirely by Pablo Herrera* the only Hip-Hop producer working in Cuba today. This compilation was the idea of the project coordinator Ariel Fernandez Diaz. All of the live contra-bass lines were recorded by one of the worlds' greatest Cuban-Jazz bassists, Jorge Reyes of 'Irakere' fame. This is the first record of it's kind. Listen to the music and feel the power of "The Cuban Hip-Hop All Stars" Volume 1. Volume 2. should be released sometime this year.

Good Start!:
This is the first Cuban Hip Hop CD ever produced in Cuba, it's a demo album and part II should be released sometime this year, Cuba now has over 200 hip hop groups and there are some very talented ones like: 100% original (track:Amargas Meditaciones) and "Los Cubanitos" who are working on their debut album. This album sounds much like the 80's hip hop from the bronx. Be sure to check out the leading groups on Cuban Hip Hop: Orishas, Don Dinero & Nilo MC.

Canýt stop playing this CD.:
I played this CD at work and everyone went nuts. We've been listening to it every day since, trying to decipher the lyrics with our collectively poor knowledge of spanish. It's a brilliantly textured collection, rich with authentic Cuban sound. It sounds better and better each time I hear it. We love it!

A Whole New World Has Unfolded:
This CD is truly amazing! It is hip-hop the way it should be! Not gangs, guns, and girls, but rather grass roots political movements. These artists are truly that, artists. They believe in what they sing. Better yet, they write what they sing. This is no pre-fab slurry. Support these struggling artists and buy the CD!

• Tribute to Elegua
• Mundo Va a Acabarse
• Tengo - Los Hermanos
• Alerta
• Havana Side Underground
• Vagabundo
• Guapo Como Mandela
• Muralla
• Majaderia
• Nadie Sabe Quien Es Quien
• Mezcla
• Amargas Meditaciones
• Kirino con Su Tres - Instinto
• Elegua Blessing