El Chulo and Lobo Malo, two prominent figures in the Cuban music scene, released the single "Tuku Taka" last Friday, an updated version of a song that defined an entire generation in Cuba over a decade ago.
In just two days since its release, the song became a trend on Instagram and TikTok, with hundreds of videos circulating on both platforms, while the official video on YouTube surpassed 105,000 views.
The original track was created by DJ Yom, a Cuban artist and producer whose original version dates back to 2013. El Chulo publicly explained in an Instagram comment how the collaboration came about: "The original owner of that song is our brother, and his name is DJ Yom, an incredibly talented artist and producer. We asked for permission to do this version out of respect, and he said yes, and thank God the rest is history."
DJ Yom responded with equal warmth: "For me, it is a great satisfaction to know that this classic is living again and that new generations will also be able to enjoy it. The important thing here is unity, respect, and love for music."
The new version blends the original sound with the style of the contemporary Cuban cast, and commentators on social media quickly celebrated it.
The song starts almost without an intro, going straight to the chorus, and it’s exactly this that makes it more appealing, along with the infectious rhythm that continues to inspire the dance challenge both inside and outside of Cuba.
The release comes months after El Chulo became embroiled in a controversy with Dany Ome as he claimed his place in the history of the genre after a video on its evolution completely overlooked him.
Beyond the disputes among the genre's representatives, what's clear is that the cast and now the "Tuku Taka" are getting many people dancing.
Filed under: