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The popular Cuban singer Manolín El Médico de la Salsa stated that the rhythm of the genre has its origins in his musical proposal, and he claimed to be “the most imitated and plagiarized” by the new generations of artists in Cuba.
In a post shared on his Instagram account, Manolín defended his direct influence on the emergence of reparto, a genre that currently dominates the Cuban urban scene.
"Countless have succeeded with my rhythmic base, my way of doing the choruses, my musical idea, my musical formula... and they do it without acknowledging it publicly,” wrote the artist, while denouncing the censorship he faced from the Cuban government.
“The government made it easy for me by banning me at the peak of my success, simply for being extremely popular. That is the truth,” commented Manolín, recalling that he is still banned from national television.
The artist, regarded as one of the pioneers of a fusion between salsa and more urban rhythms since the 90s, stated that his style served as the foundation for the rhythmic cell of the ensemble. “For example, the opening measures of 'Arriba de la bola'. There you have the rhythmic cell of the ensemble,” he expressed.
He also took the opportunity to criticize the Cuban government again, accusing it of trying to appropriate the distribution while keeping figures like him out of the official media space: “They are so scared of me that they’re shitting themselves. The most influential Cuban musical creator of recent years. Pure enjoyment.”
Manolín, who at one point left Miami to return to Cuba, has spent the last few years dividing his time between the island and countries like Spain. Recently, he has also voiced criticism towards reggaeton as a genre, questioning the lack of lyrical content and originality in many of its current offerings.
His statement comes in a context where cultural authorities in Cuba have begun to recognize and utilize rap as a tool for cultural promotion, despite it being marginalized for years due to its explicit lyrics and rebellious nature.
Frequently asked questions about Manolín El Médico de la Salsa and his influence on the cast
What does Manolín say about his influence in the reparto genre?
Manolín El Médico de la Salsa asserts that the rhythm of the reparto has its origins in his musical proposal. He claims that his style served as the foundation for the rhythmic cell of the reparto, a genre that now dominates the Cuban urban scene.
Why was Manolín censored by the Cuban government?
Manolín claims that he was censored because the Cuban government banned him at the height of his success due to his great popularity, not for political reasons. According to him, the censorship allowed other artists to succeed with his musical base without acknowledging his influence.
What criticisms has Manolín leveled at the reparto genre?
Manolín has criticized the cast for the lack of lyrical content and originality in many of their current proposals. While he acknowledges their influence in the genre, he does not hesitate to point out what he perceives as shortcomings in the lyrics and creativity of the contemporary cast.
What is the Cuban government's stance on distribution currently?
The Cuban government has begun to recognize and utilize street art as a tool for cultural promotion, although historically it was marginalized due to its confrontational nature and explicit lyrics. This reflects a change in its cultural strategy, possibly to connect with the Cuban youth.
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