Cuban singer-songwriter Cándido Fabré has crafted a poignant song titled "Centinela de lo Urbano," a lyrical tribute to urban musician José Manuel Carbajal, known in the music world as El Taiger, who passed away on October 10th in Miami.
Fabré, celebrated for his improvisational flair in traditional Cuban music, blends his distinctive style with a focus on honoring the memory and legacy of the late artist. El Taiger's ashes returned to Cuba on Friday, where a family tribute was held at Havana's El Sauce Cultural Center to bid a final farewell.
Honoring an Urban Music Icon
This marks the second time Fabré has dedicated a song to the reggaeton star since his passing. The piece aims to celebrate El Taiger's profound impact on Cuban urban music, highlighting his enduring legacy as a symbol of resilience and creativity.
The lyrics are rich with deep metaphors and spiritual references, featuring lines such as "El Taiger will never be ashes," "your dreams will be fulfilled," and "you reached the sun." The chorus powerfully portrays an "invincible matador," a spirit eternally present whose work continues to inspire.
An Enduring Spirit
Interwoven guides in the lyrics emphasize the omnipresence of the honored artist, asserting that he will be "everywhere" as "untouchable and immortal."
Fabré joined a chorus of support and tribute for El Taiger following the revelation that the reggaeton musician had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, leaving him in critical condition. His song, titled "Levántate matador," is a clear nod to one of El Taiger's most beloved anthems.
On Friday, family, friends, fans, and colleagues accompanied El Taiger's ashes to the Colón Cemetery, where he now rests alongside his mother.