Known to all as Billy Ta-Lento, Raúl Andrés Castro is a musician from a unique group, a band that defined a visual and musical style in Cuba with their vibrant costumes, eccentric characters, and provocative themes aimed at women. With influences from counterculture in their music and presentation, they challenged social and moral conventions.
Since their inception, they managed to bring a new sense of originality and avant-garde to the alternative and underground music movement that already existed in Havana by 2000. They broke norms and experimented with new forms of expression, leading to the birth of "Amnesia," a name that evolved into "Qva Libre."
Raúl Andrés, however, is a "jack of all trades" who started in the sports field.
You were a sports announcer and commentator at the radio station COCO in Cuba: What did you learn from that time, and how did it shape the way you communicate today?
The radio has always been the most important school I have ever had. I learned to converse, to communicate, and how to establish connections with the audience, to establish empathy with them.
When you are a radio host, you don't see the audience's reaction; you lack that reference. So, you try to connect with as many people as possible. You have to be clear, precise, and accurate because you have listeners who know what you are talking about and others who do not; people with different cultural backgrounds. So, that helps you. That empathy, that daily study forces you to stay informed, something I appreciate, because to this day I continue to seek ways to stay updated on all the topics that surround me.
Political, economic, sports, cultural, social topics, general issues, curiosities, historical themes, in short. I think I owe a lot to the radio for helping me understand communication, for allowing me to express myself and prepare myself more each day when engaging with the audience. Radio continues to be a passion for me .
From radio, you transitioned to Qva Libre in 2019: from percussionist to singer
I will never forget the first time I saw Qva Libre live. It was something completely different: they took the stage wearing underwear, t-shirts, suspenders, cardboard hats, and an explosion of colors. The music was hard to define, lacking a clear genre, but it conveyed a unique vibe, full of energy and stage presence.
My connection with them began thanks to the radio. Weeks after that concert, I interviewed the band's director and I ended up getting involved in the promotion of a show.
Little by little, I began to present their concerts and to feel that restlessness for music that I had since childhood once again. In the end, I achieved what I always wanted: to become part of the band, starting from the ground up (minor percussion, backing vocals, DJ) to today when I am one of their lead singers. It has also been a personal journey of growth… it is my life!.
My first performance as a musician was magical. I especially remember a concert at the University of Havana in front of more than 30,000 people. My left leg was shaking from anxiety, not fear, but from that adrenaline that pushes you to own the stage. Qva Libre was exactly that: a national symbol of madness, a groundbreaking group that combined show, spectacle, and bravery.
We carried a name loaded with political weight in a country where shouting "Free Cuba!" meant being under scrutiny. Even so, with humor and creativity, we spread messages and entertained an entire generation. We were irreverent, we were full of energy, and for me, Qva Libre became my home.
With that same energy and good vibes, you made a “small” leap to Miami in 2022. What changed in your artistic and personal life when you moved to the Magic City?
Arriving in Miami was a very special moment. For Cubans, Miami has always been a legendary city, full of contrasts. We grew up hearing on official television that it was a place filled with anti-Cuban people, enemies, and horrors invented by propaganda. But we knew it represented the opposite: prosperity, joy, and above all, freedom.
That duality made Miami a myth, a dream, the "golden sign" that we all wanted to reach. It was also referred to as "the artists' cemetery," which raised questions about what it could mean for my career.
However, I discovered that it is not a cemetery, but a true test of fire. Here, no dream is impossible: everything depends on your discipline, your work, and your perseverance.
Miami has become my home. It is a city built by a people who had to leave their country and, even on the other shore, reconstructed memories, roots, and culture. The most exciting part is seeing how the children of emigrants, born in the United States, continue to proudly proclaim that they are Cuban. Here, identity and love for our land remain alive.
On a personal level, it has been hard because it hurts to see how Cuba is increasingly mistreated, looted, and humiliated by the Cuban dictatorship every day. But at the same time, it is reassuring to live in a city where I feel the energy, the sense of belonging, and the pride of being Cuban. For me, Miami is not just a city: it is my home.
In addition to pursuing your passion for music, you are a "content creator": is it a profession, a platform, or an artistic identity? What sets it apart from being just "a musician with a camera"?
My content creation journey began during the pandemic, as it did for many artists. Beyond music, I have always had other interests: communication, acting, and, above all, humor.
Since I was a child, I was the "class clown" (in a good way), always surrounded by people, trying to bring joy and have a good time. Social media then became an amazing platform for me to continue expressing myself and sharing art.
In Miami, I developed it further, turning it into a true commitment. For me, it’s not just about being "a musician with a camera." Being a content creator means taking responsibility for what you share: you know that your audience is going to watch you, value you, judge you, support you, or criticize you. That’s why I strive not only to entertain but also to educate and positively influence.
One of your trademarks is making jokes about Miami traffic: How do you decide what to share and for what purpose?
A clear example is Traffic Man, the character that has become popular on my social media. Through humor, I aim to raise awareness: do not wear makeup while driving, do not watch series or send messages while driving, take care of yourself and others on the road. But also to promote simple habits like listening to good music or drinking water. Ultimately, it's about making our society a better, happier, and more conscious place.
I am very demanding with myself and my content because I fear stagnation or boredom. But precisely that self-demand pushes me to keep creating, always ensuring that each video not only entertains but also leaves a positive message.
Living off art in Miami is not always easy: How do you manage to remain an artist and stay active without sacrificing economic stability?
Everything depends on your goals, your plans, and how you choose to pursue your dreams. Dreams can remain just that or turn into goals; those goals into purposes, and the purposes into realities. In Miami, I discovered that nothing is impossible: here, every dream is attainable, as long as you have discipline and the willpower.
Personally, I have worked in all kinds of jobs since I arrived. I started at a car wash business and I was happy there. Later, I worked at a company dedicated to home restoration, removing moisture, installing tarps on roofs, and demolishing walls.
Currently, I work at BeautyLand Plastic Surgery, a plastic surgery clinic where I have been for over a year. That place is not just my job; it has become my home. My colleagues are top-level professionals, and I also found the opportunity to develop in my field of study: social communication and marketing.
I believe that the essential thing is not to be afraid of work and, at the same time, to know how to prioritize. There are those who seek only economic stability, peace, to travel, or to have a family, and that's perfectly fine. In my case, my happiness still lies in art and music. This entails a triple sacrifice: dedicating time and not always receiving money in return. But I live it with passion because having a purpose and fighting for it gives meaning to everything.
You have been a musician, broadcaster, and digital creator: What challenges or professional dreams do you still have yet to achieve?
I continue to have numerous goals and dreams. Since I arrived here, even more so, because I have discovered my potential and how to maximize it. I am convinced that everything depends on oneself: there are no dreams that can be realized without hard work, will, and discipline.
In the communicational aspect, I want to continue creating content and become an informational reference for our community. My goal is to have my own show, my own platform, and to be a voice with a positive influence. I want people to seek me out when they want to stay updated, informed, and at the same time, find good energy and a pleasant space.
In the musical realm, I wish to continue performing and bring Qva Libre back to a place of prominence. I also want to advance my solo career, compose and release my own songs, so that people can know them, sing them, and make them their own. Right now, I am venturing into this solo aspect with the support of great friends like Carlitos (Carlos Díaz), Dani, the Duende Raulín, Andy García on piano, and many other musicians.
We have a clear mission: to save and defend Cuban music, to continue promoting it to keep it at the forefront and preserve it as a global reference. Ultimately, my aim is to always contribute, to keep working with passion, and to be a true servant of art.
Regarding today's Cuba, the Cuba we love so dearly and cannot forget, what do you think will happen?
The current situation in Cuba fills me with immense sadness. I was born into a dictatorship, during the Special Period of the 1990s, under constant indoctrination.
I could see differences, but they were all marked by the worst possible management, by an outrageous disregard. The Cuban dictatorship is one of the cruelest in history: a true wolf in sheep's clothing that manipulates, invents enemies, and makes its people feel insecure. “Only Cuba is doing well”… “the whole world is in chaos, wars, hunger, and misery,” “the enemy wants to make us miserable!” Those are the thoughts they instill in you.
Today, Cuba is barely a whisper of what it once was. Everything has been destroyed: culture, identity, joy, families. There is no happiness in the streets anymore; there is separation, pain, deaths at sea, and above all, political prisoners.
July 11 marked a turning point: it was the explosion of truth. The people took to the streets to say "enough" to misery, lies, and the lack of freedoms. That day made it clear that Cubans want freedom, even though the cost has been extraordinarily high.
And in the midst of this chaos, culture and sports have plummeted
Cuban culture is going through one of its worst moments. Often, what stands out is not what truly represents us or the best of us. Sports are also devastated, with figures leaving the country and talents being lost due to a lack of opportunities. Not only are artists and athletes leaving, but also doctors, engineers, musicians, workers, hairdressers, ice cream vendors… professionals and workers of all kinds. Dreaming in Cuba has become practically impossible.
However, today the epicenter of Cuban culture, identity, and society is carried by free Cubans in exile. Mainly in Miami, which has become the heart of Cuba outside of Cuba. But also in other cities around the world, such as Madrid, Montevideo, or Rome, where thousands of Cubans keep our roots alive.
After the mass exodus that was accelerated by the pandemic and the chaos on the Island, it is these Cubans abroad who are sustaining our identity and projecting it into the future.
Regarding freedom, I still believe it is possible. Every free Cuban in the world shares the same wish: that our land be free. That wish cannot remain unfulfilled; it must become a goal, an action, a reality. Our great problem has always been the lack of unity, but I am convinced that the more we come together, the closer we will be to achieving it.
Freedom will not be given to us by the dictatorship… we have to seize it! And although it may seem difficult, I believe we are getting closer every day. The day will come when we can return to Cuba without pain, to see it for what it truly is: a paradise. Everything will depend on what we are willing to sacrifice for our homeland.
Before anything else, I am Cuban. I am a child of Cuba and I say it with pride. I will always be willing to do whatever it takes, as long as it is for the sake of freedom and to liberate our land from that dictatorship. Long live a Free Cuba!
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