The Cuban reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo shared on his YouTube channel the full recording of his intervention at the recent event organized by the Cuban regime to discuss the phenomenon of urban music on the Island.
The artist decided to make his statement public following the strong criticism he received for participating in the government-backed event organized by the Ministry of Culture of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Music.
With the publication of the video, Yomil seeks to bring transparency to his involvement and showcase his defense of urban music, of which he has been a part since his beginnings as a musician in Cuba.
In his presentation, the reggaeton artist shared his story within the genre, discussed the challenges he faced, and reiterated his commitment to the evolution and respect for reggaeton and urban music, defending the space this type of musical expression has earned within Cuban society, especially among the youth.
The artist's participation in the event went viral on social media, sparking a debate among his followers and other musicians who questioned his presence at a forum organized by cultural institutions tied to the ideological apparatus of the Cuban government.
Hours after the media attention, Yomil spoke out on his social media, stating in his Instagram stories that during the meeting “they spoke candidly and without gloves, and with a lot of respect.”
The workshop was attended by musicians, musicologists, officials, and high-ranking members of the regime, including Vice Prime Minister Inés María Chapman and Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso Grau.
This type of event reflects the government's attempts to intervene in cultural narratives and control the more popular musical expressions, such as reggaeton, which falls outside their traditional molds of propaganda.
Frequently asked questions about Yomil's involvement in the urban genre event in Cuba
Why did Yomil Hidalgo decide to share his remarks at the event about urban music?
Yomil Hidalgo shared his full intervention at the event organized by the Cuban regime to discuss urban music, aiming to ensure transparency in his participation and address the criticisms he received. He sought to showcase his defense of reguetón and his commitment to the evolution and respect for this genre in Cuban society.
What criticisms did Yomil receive for participating in the event called by the Cuban government?
The artist was criticized by his followers and other musicians for participating in an official event organized by the Ministry of Culture of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Music. His presence at a forum linked to the ideological apparatus of the Cuban government was questioned, sparking a debate about his commitment to previous criticisms of censorship and the regime's limitations.
What was Yomil's reaction to the controversy regarding his participation in the government's workshop?
Yomil spoke out on his social media, stating that the meeting was conducted “directly and without gloves, with a lot of respect.” He also warned that he has a recording of his comments to support the discussion, emphasizing that his principles are non-negotiable and that he speaks with the truth.
How do critics perceive the participation of reggaeton artists in events organized by the Cuban regime?
Critics and opponents believe that these events are attempts by the regime to instrumentalize popular genres like reggaeton to polish its public image. They view the participation of artists like Yomil and Yulién Oviedo as a challenge to their authenticity in the face of the dictatorship, given their history of denouncing censorship and limitations in Cuba.
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