Cuban singer Melanie Santiler: “I have had problems for singing that in Cuba people go hungry”

At just 24 years old, Melanie Santiler has become one of the freshest and most authentic voices in Cuban music. The young artist, known as La Mami Fina, captivates not only with her talent but also with her straightforward way of expressing herself. In an interview for the podcast El show de La Familia Cubana, she spoke candidly about the controversy generated by one of her songs: “In Cuba, people go hungry, that’s why I took your boyfriend.”

"I've had many problems, but I haven't stopped singing the song," she shared with laughter, making it clear that she has no intention of censoring herself. "The day they tell me I can't go to an event because I won't sing it, I simply won't go." And indeed, although some tried to convince her to omit that part of the song Buen provecho, Melanie insists that she can't do that: "People got to know me through this song; it's a part of me." They even asked her to leave out the phrase, but she is resolute: "If I don't sing it, I won't go."

Far from seeking scandals, the singer insists that her music reflects reality with a touch of humor and catharsis. “Why do we say those things to each other? If another woman has something nice, we have to criticize her. Women can be tough on each other,” she said playfully, referring to the rivalry that sometimes exists among women. Her honesty and easy laughter have made her a beloved artist with a large following on social media.

Among her most popular songs is "Todo se supera," a collaboration with reggaeton artist Velito El Bufón, which many fans mistook for a love story. “We have chemistry, yes, but it's all about friendship. We get along great and are always joking around,” Melanie clarified, showing her more spontaneous side.

In just a couple of years, the young artist from Havana has gone from posting covers on social media to being highlighted by magazines like Rolling Stone and Billboard, which feature her among the new talents of the Caribbean.

The singer speaks on the topic of censorship around the 41-minute mark