There are songs that cease to belong solely to those who recorded them and instead become part of the memories of a generation. This happened with several hits by El Taiger, one of the most recognizable voices in Cuban urban music, whose death shocked his fans both on and off the island.
This October 10, 2026 marks two years since the death of José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, artistically known as El Taiger. The singer passed away in Miami at the age of 37, after being hospitalized following a gunshot wound to the head. However, although his loss continues to weigh heavily, for many fans, remembering him also means listening again to the songs that made many dance, sing, and debate.
From their solo songs to collaborations with new figures in the lineup, their repertoire showcases different stages of a career that transcended the usual audience of Cuban reggaeton. This selection is not intended to be a mathematical ranking of plays, but rather a journey through five tracks that help explain why their music remains in people's memories.
1. "History": the theme that marked a generation
If there is a song that is impossible to leave out, it is “La Historia”. Released in 2020 in collaboration with DJ Conds, it became one of the most recognizable pieces by El Taiger and solidified his popularity among Cubans living outside the island as well. Its chorus, built around a relationship told from opposing viewpoints, caused many fans to end up memorizing it.
The song holds a special weight within their discography: it combines the essence of Cuban urban music with a melodic approach that can accompany both a party and a more personal listening experience. It is no coincidence that it continues to stand out among the highlighted tracks in their catalog on music platforms.
Watch "La Historia" directly on YouTube.
2. "Speak Matador": attitude, slang, and personality
In “Habla Matador”, released in 2021 alongside El Happy and produced by DJ Conds, a different facet emerges: that of the defiant, straightforward artist capable of turning a phrase into a hallmark. His style drew from neighborhood expressions and an interpretation style that fans instantly recognized.
For those who have listened to him for years, the appeal of the music goes beyond the rhythm. It showcases the musical persona that El Taiger has built while maintaining the language and codes of Cuban street culture, creating a connection that has allowed him to gain followers of various ages and generations.
Watch "Habla Matador" directly on YouTube.
3. "Papelito": a song with a second life alongside El Chacal
"Papelito" also holds an important place among his successes. The original version was accompanied by a remix featuring El Chacal, published on El Taiger's official channel, which provided another way to enjoy a song already familiar to his audience.
The collaboration brings together two prominent figures from Cuban urban music and serves to remind us that the singer's career was not built solely on solo successes. The exchange of styles, collaborations, and the circulation of their songs between Cuba and Miami have been constant elements throughout their career.
The following music video corresponds to «Papelito (remix)», the version recorded with El Chacal.
Watch "Papelito (remix)" directly on YouTube.
4. "Mandarina Brand": the phenomenon that went viral
In May 2024, «Marca Mandarina» was released, the collaboration between El Taiger and Oniel Bebeshito that jumped from music platforms to social media videos and dances. Its catchy chorus and language rich in Cuban idioms quickly became part of the conversations among the show's followers.
CiberCuba documented the impact of the premiere and, weeks later, a survey among its followers placed it as the favorite for the summer of 2024. It was also an example of how El Taiger could connect with artists who were leading a new phase of the genre.
The music video, produced for Planet Records and directed by 56K Productions, captures the festive energy with which the song ultimately became associated.
Watch "Marca Mandarina" directly on YouTube.
5. "El Punto": one of their latest major collaborations
Premiering in September 2024, “El Punto” brought together Charly & Johayron, Bebeshito, and El Taiger in a production by Ernesto Losa for Planet Records. Its release took place just days before the events that led to the singer's death in Miami.
The song features El Taiger sharing the spotlight with figures from a different generation of the cast, in a collaborative format designed for an audience that consumes music both on the streets and through music videos and social media. Listening to it now carries a different emotional weight: it is one of the examples that, until the end, he was still actively participating in the Cuban music scene.
Watch "El Punto" directly on YouTube.
A voice that remains present beyond these five songs
The selection could have also included “El Sano,” “Southwezzzzt,” “La Guariconfianza,” or “Coronamos”, songs that reflect other stages and collaborations of the artist. His repertoire is not limited to a single hit: it encompasses danceable tracks, popular choruses, recordings with other performers, and a very unique way of telling stories to an urban beat.
In October 2024, CiberCuba recalled the hits that brought him to the top. One year later, the outlet revisited the songs that keep his legacy alive. This second anniversary is another opportunity to listen to those recordings again, without the outcome of his life overshadowing what he achieved as a musician.
El Taiger passed away on October 10, 2024, but the connection of his followers with his music did not end that day. In Cuba, in Miami, or anywhere his music plays, a single song can bring La Tranka's voice back to the present. Which of these five songs do you remember the most?
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