The Cuban music scene is once again the stage for an intense controversy, this time starring Cuban singer Descemer Bueno, who lashed out on social media against Italian producer Roberto Ferrante, director of Planet Récords, for his controversial statements about El Chacal.
Ferrante stated during an interview at the end of 2023 that El Chacal “does not have the reach” of Bebeshito, which is why he did not want a highly anticipated collaboration between the two artists to be released. The statement caused discomfort among fans of Cuban urban music, and months later it continues to spark conversation on social media. Now, those remarks have received a strong public rebuttal.
Through his Instagram account, Descemer Bueno took advantage of the publication of a list of Cuban artists with the most streams in March 2025 to send a direct message to the producer:
“Ferrante, what were you saying about @chacalrlm? You're going to have to invest more, because we’re the ones who are out, according to you. If you don't like it, add some sugar, and if you're diabetic, I recommend agave.”
The comment was accompanied by an image where El Chacal ranks among the ten most listened-to Cuban artists of the month, with more than 12 million plays on digital platforms, surpassing names like Jacob Forever and Lenier. In the same list, Descemer holds the second place with over 27 million streams, only surpassed by Gente de Zona.
The Cuban singer Dany Ome also reacted in the comments, supporting El Chacal:
“Ferragamo is someone who is not in their right mind. One should not pay attention to such nonsense about a legend of Cuba like @chacalrlm.”
Descemer Bueno's public response adds a new chapter to the tense relationship between some Cuban urban artists and Ferrante, who has faced criticism from several singers on the island recently.
The post quickly generated reactions among followers and other artists, rekindling the debate about the drawing power of Cuban musicians and the influence of record labels on their careers.
For his part, El Chacal, without directly responding to Descemer’s message, shared the same screenshot and expressed his gratitude for the support: "Thank you for the support. New music is on the way."
Below is the interview in which Ferrante talks about El Chacal and Bebeshito. He discusses this topic at minute 1:10:00
Frequently asked questions about the controversy involving Descemer Bueno, Ferrante, and Cuban urban music
Why did Descemer Bueno criticize Roberto Ferrante?
Descemer Bueno criticized Roberto Ferrante for his statements in which he claimed that El Chacal is not up to the level of Bebeshito. Descemer used his social media to defend El Chacal, highlighting his success on digital platforms and questioning Ferrante's opinion.
What impact did Descemer Bueno's reaction have on the Cuban music community?
The reaction of Descemer Bueno sparked a broad debate within the Cuban music community, reigniting discussions about the recognition of Cuban urban artists and the influence of record labels on their careers. Artists like Dany Ome also expressed their support for El Chacal, intensifying the controversy.
Who are the most listened-to Cuban artists on digital platforms according to the recent list mentioned by Descemer Bueno?
According to the list mentioned by Descemer Bueno, the most listened to Cuban artists include Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, and El Chacal. El Chacal is among the ten most listened to artists of the month, with over 12 million plays.
How has El Chacal responded to the controversy with Roberto Ferrante?
El Chacal has not directly reacted to the statements from Roberto Ferrante, but he expressed gratitude for the support received by sharing the same screenshot of his streaming statistics and announcing new music on the way.
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