A group of people gathered this Friday on a street in Havana to bid farewell to Óscar Portuondo, artistically known as Bolito El Efi, a prominent figure in the Cuban urban movement who passed away due to a traffic accident on Thursday.
The rapper Zurdo MC posted a brief video on Facebook of the funeral procession that became a collective testimony of grief: nearly 500,000 views and more than 13,500 reactions in just a few hours reflect the impact that the loss had on the Cuban artistic community.
In the images, several people are seen carrying the coffin on their shoulders amidst Afro-Cuban chants.
Among the crowd, people were seen adorned with elements associated with the Afro-Cuban religious traditions of Santería and Regla de Ocha, alongside floral arrangements.
"Part of me is gone; this has marked me forever. My tranka, from above, bless your family, take care of them, and guide me on a good path, my brother el bolo. Life is tough; I will never overcome this. REST IN PEACE MY TANKE," wrote Zurdo MC while sharing the video.
"The last hug we gave each other. It was a divine moment. Just yesterday we were arranging everything for my arrival. Honestly, I am not prepared for this, my friend. I'm coming for you. I'm heartbroken... I can't handle this," Zurdo MC also wrote on social media alongside a photo that showed their last meeting.
Zurdo MC, who has recently arrived in Cuba, has been particularly moved on social media by the death of his friend.
The voice of Cuban artists
In the last few hours, social media has been filled with messages of mourning.
Among the Cuban reggaeton artists who have mourned Bolito's passing are Ja Rulay, Yandi Barnada, Payaso Por Ley, El Yonki, Yomil, and Oniel Bebeshito.
Ja Rulay was one of the first to react: "Brother, I can't believe this. Bolito, rest easy, brother."
Payaso Por Ley wrote: "My friend, it pains me that I couldn't say goodbye to you. I will miss you so much, more than I can express in words. Thank you for every moment, for your friendship, and for everything we shared. You will always have a special place in my life and in my heart."
Yonki also joined the tribute: "My condolences to his family and loved ones, may he rest in peace, he will be remembered with respect and affection."
Third loss of the Cuban urban genre
The death of Bolito El Efi represents the third loss for the Cuban urban movement in less than six years, a series of tragedies that has profoundly shaken this artistic community.
The first was that of El Dany, who passed away in July 2020 at the age of 31 in the Calixto García Hospital in Havana due to an acute cardiovascular condition, under circumstances that his partner Yomil publicly denounced as medical negligence.
The second was that of El Taiger, murdered in Miami in October 2024 at the age of 37, after being shot on October 3 and dying on the 10th of that month at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Bolito El Efi had lived in the United States for a long time and had recently returned to Cuba, according to a video he posted on his Instagram account weeks before his death, making his passing even more shocking for those who knew him and were looking forward to reconnecting with him.
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