The Cuban music scene is once again the stage for an intense controversy, this time led by the Cuban singer Descemer Bueno, who unleashed a tirade on social media against the Italian producer Roberto Ferrante, director of Planet Récords, over 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 much-anticipated collaboration between both artists to happen. The comment caused discomfort among followers of Cuban urban music, and months later, it continues to generate discussion on social media. Now, those statements have received a strong public rebuttal.
Through his Instagram account, Descemer Bueno took the opportunity of posting a list of the 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 are the ones who are turned off, 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 top ten most listened to Cuban artists of the month, with over 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 right in the head. One should not listen 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 been criticized by several singers from the island recently.
The post quickly generated reactions among followers and other artists, reigniting the debate about the pulling power of Cuban musicians and the influence of record labels on their careers.
On his part, El Chacal, without directly reacting to Descemer's message, shared the same screenshot and thanked for the support: "Thank you for the support. New music is on the way."
Below is the interview in which Ferrante discusses El Chacal and Bebeshito. He talks about this topic at minute 1:10:00
Frequently asked questions about the controversy between Descemer Bueno, Ferrante, and Cuban urban music
Why did Descemer Bueno criticize Roberto Ferrante?
Descemer Bueno criticized Roberto Ferrante for his statements claiming that El Chacal is not on the same level as Bebeshito. Descemer took to 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 wide debate within the Cuban music community, reigniting discussions about the recognition of Cuban urban artists and the power of record labels in 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 top ten most listened to artists of the month, with over 12 million streams.
How has El Chacal responded to the controversy with Roberto Ferrante?
El Chacal has not directly responded to Roberto Ferrante's statements, 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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