Nostalgia Cubana 🇨🇺

Me, back in the day in Havana, Cuba, outside the iconic Bodeguita Del Medio

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I don't know why, but I'm really thinking about Cuba today. I love Cuba; the music, the culture and people. I also have family there; distant relatives, but relatives nonetheless.

When ever I'm feeling this Cuban, I have a few playlists on Spotify that I always go to. You may be surprised that my musical taste is very heavily influenced by Cuban music. By the way, yours might be too and you just might not know it. Like Jamaica, Cuba is one of the largest world music influencers.

Anyway, that's not what the post is about. Rather, I will share 3 of the songs that make me think of my Cuban days the most.

1. "Yoruba Song" by Maraca

This song is one of my all time favourites for many, many reasons. As a song itself, it cuts across several genres of Cuban music. What I find fascinating about it though, is that it is sung entirely in the Yoruba language, as the title suggests.

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2. "El Manicero" performed by Orquesta Aragon de Cuba

I'm not sure who originally composed this tune, but it's one of the most popular melodies to have ever come out of Cuba. There are thousands of renditions of it and you may immediately recognise the melody.
I can't think of any other song that represents the vibe of Cuba more than this one. The name "El Manicero" means "The Peanut Merchant". On the streets of Havana and other towns in Cuba, there are hawkers that sell peanuts and their call is "Mani!, manicero llego!" which means "Peanuts! The peanut seller is here!". That hawkers' call is where the song comes from.

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3. "El Jonrón" by Elito Reve & Su Charangón con Roberto

Guys, guys, this track! The way it starts like a drone strike reminds me of how a party is always about to break out on the streets of Havana. I'm not exaggerating and it's hard to explain to those that haven't experienced it.

In a country of extremely musical and passionate people that have very little in terms of financial and material wealth, all it takes is for an outburst of joy by someone. It's happened right in front of my eyes where a man started clapping and singing only to be joined by another 4-5 people singing along, banging on things and dancing, spiralling off to an all out rumba 🥁💃🏽🕺🏿- totally spontaneously.

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Alafia para todos mi gente. Que viva Cuba para siempre!

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Peace and Love ✌🏿
Adé

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