The renowned music producer Sergio George did not mince words when discussing the Cuban talent pool and shared an opinion that is sure to spark conversations: Puerto Rican artists have talent, but in his view, they lack the necessary flow to perform this genre that originated in Cuba.
During a conversation shared on Facebook by the host Enrique Santos, George was emphatic when discussing the possibility of Puerto Ricans getting involved in the distribution: "They don't have the flow. They ain't got the flow. Not for that. They got the flow, but not for that."
The producer, born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, explained that the cast has a very particular way of interpreting their roles, and that is precisely where its essence lies. "It's that unique flow of the cast. If you take that away, then it’s no longer the cast," he asserted.
To illustrate his viewpoint, George mentioned the collaborative album that Gente de Zona released in 2025 alongside genre artists like Chocolate MC, Dany Ome, and Kevincito El 13, a project that received criticism for its overly commercial sound.
"Many people said it was too commercial. It's not the flow. That's what happens. You can't change the essence of what it is," commented the producer, convinced that trying to adapt the cast for different audiences can end up distorting what makes it unique.
George also offered his own definition of the genre, describing it as "an afrobeat with timba, basically," and acknowledged that its rhythm and style may be difficult to grasp for certain audiences outside of Cuba, especially for listeners over 40 years old in countries like Mexico or Venezuela.
In his opinion, one of the major challenges of distribution is finding a way to reach a broader market without losing its identity. "You can't sell mass products just to those aged 12 to 18. You have to sell to everyone," he noted.
The producer compared this situation to the challenges faced by salsa in its beginnings. "Salsa was that. Salsa was like, how do we sell this on a massive scale?" he recalled, before suggesting that the cast needs to find a formula that can make it more commercial without sacrificing its essence.
During the conversation, the name of the music entrepreneur Rafi Pina also came up, who, according to George, attended a concert by Dany Ome and has expressed interest in the genre.
However, the producer made it clear that he does not consider it impossible for someone of another nationality to connect with the cast. As an example, he mentioned the Italian Roberto Ferrante, who has worked closely with representatives of Cuban urban music.
"Ferrante is Italian and is fully involved in the distribution and Cuban music," he highlighted.
Would Sergio George dare to do the casting? The producer did not rule out that possibility and even joked about taking a DNA test to find out if he is "80% Cuban" to avoid any potential questions.
Later, speaking more seriously, he stated that he maintains a good relationship with numerous artists in the genre: "I have so many people in the cast who are fans and admire me; if I get involved in the cast, I think I find the right vibe, and no one is going to question me."
His statements come at a time when the lineup continues to provoke mixed opinions within the music industry. In June of this year, Cuban singer and songwriter Alain Pérez sparked controversy by asserting that the genre "does not offer anything interesting" from a technical standpoint, although he acknowledged its enormous popularity with a phrase that also generated a lot of discussion: "That can't be stopped."
The truth is that Sergio George is no stranger to this rhythm. In 2025, the renowned producer collaborated with Oniel Bebeshito on a fusion of salsa and reggaeton, demonstrating that he is also willing to experiment with the sounds of Cuban urban music.
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