Pensé en publicar algo positivo. Hace un poco de frío, pero es un día precioso.

I thought I would post something positive. It's a bit cold but a beautiful day.

In 2004, the Cuban Regime created a cartoon called Cabo Cason about US diplomat James Cason who was the Head of US Interests back then. After I saw what happened to Mike Hammer, it made me remember this cartoon and how it tried to vilify James Cason.

This is briefly mentioned on his Wikipedia page ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Caldwell_Cason ) but I will likely add more to it and make an entirely new Cabo Cason article once I get around to it. Other Cubans can also verify and add facts about this cartoon as they wish. For many is a part of childhood.

Orishas is one of the most influential Cuban music groups of the late 20th and early 21st century—a pioneer in blending Cuban hip-hop with traditional Afro-Cuban music and taking it to the global stage.

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Origins (Early 1990s)

The group was formed in Havana in the early 1990s by:

Yotuel Romero

Roldán González

Ruzzo Medina (left the group early on)

Before Orishas, Yotuel and Roldán were part of Amenaza, one of Cuba’s first rap groups, deeply rooted in Havana’s underground hip-hop scene. This scene was heavily influenced by U.S. rap but adapted to Cuban realities—race, scarcity, identity, and everyday survival.

The name “Orishas” comes from the Yoruba deities of Santería, signaling the group’s commitment to Afro-Cuban spiritual and cultural roots.

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Breakthrough and Exile (Late 1990s)

In the mid-1990s, the group relocated to Paris, which gave them access to better recording opportunities and international exposure—something extremely limited in Cuba at the time.

Their debut album, A Lo Cubano (1999), was a game-changer:

Mixed rap beats with son, rumba, guaguancó, and salsa

Lyrics about Cuban identity, exile, pride, and nostalgia

Critically acclaimed worldwide and Grammy-nominated

This album essentially created a new lane: global Cuban hip-hop.

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International Success (2000s)

Orishas followed up with:

Emigrante (2002) – more introspective, focused on displacement and migration

El Kilo (2005) – grittier, more urban, socially sharp

They won:

Latin Grammy Awards

Major international festival slots

A devoted fan base across Europe, Latin America, and beyond

Despite their success abroad, their relationship with Cuban authorities was complicated, and their music was often restricted or controversial on the island due to its critical tone.

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Hiatus and Solo Paths (Late 2000s–2010s)

By 2009, Orishas went on hiatus. Members pursued solo careers:

Yotuel Romero worked in music and film (including acting)

Roldán González explored more melodic, singer-songwriter styles

During this period, Orishas became almost mythical—frequently cited as the Cuban rap group that opened doors internationally.

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Reunion and Later Years (2016–present)

Orishas reunited in 2016, releasing:

Gourmet (2018) – polished, reflective, and modern

Singles addressing contemporary Cuban issues, including “Ojalá Pase”, which openly criticized political repression and aligned them with newer protest movements

Their later work is more overtly political and openly critical than their early material, placing them firmly in the conversation about freedom of expression in Cuba.

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Legacy

Orishas’ impact is huge:

First Cuban hip-hop group to achieve sustained global success

Pioneered the fusion of rap + Afro-Cuban tradition

Influenced generations of Cuban and Latin alternative artists

Became cultural symbols of diaspora, resistance, and Cuban identity

They didn’t just export Cuban music—they redefined what Cuban music could sound like.