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 mourning: 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 can be seen carrying the coffin on their shoulders amid Afro-Cuban chants.
Among the crowd, people were seen adorned with elements associated with the Afro-Cuban religious traditions of Santería and the Rule of 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 when sharing the video.
"The last hug we shared. It was a divine moment. Just yesterday, we were making plans for my arrival. Honestly, I'm not ready 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 captured their last meeting.
Zurdo MC, newly arrived in Cuba, has expressed deep emotion on social media over the death of his friend.
The voice of Cuban artists
In recent hours, social media has been flooded with messages of mourning.
Among the Cuban reggaeton artists who have mourned the passing of Bolito, notable mentions include 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: "Friend, it pains me not to have been able to say goodbye to you. I will miss you immensely, 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, you will be remembered with respect and affection."
Third loss of the Cuban urban genre
The death of Bolito El Efi marks the third loss for the Cuban urban movement in less than six years, a string 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 at 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 reuniting with him.
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