Cuban reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo Puentes has called off a concert in Bejucal, shedding light on the challenges faced by the music industry on the island. Through an Instagram post, Yomil outlined the reasons behind the event's cancellation and voiced his criticism of Cuba's music management.
"The Bejucal concert has been canceled because, at the last minute, they say the cover charge has to be 250 instead of 500. It's as if they paid for the audio, transport, project, salary, plus the cut taken by the house and company; the math doesn't add up," Yomil wrote, highlighting the economic and bureaucratic issues plaguing Cuban musicians.
Known for his straightforward and unfiltered style, the singer expressed his regret over the canceled event but emphasized that the situation has become unbearable for artists in Cuba. "I'm posting this for my people in Bejucal to be informed, but if it were up to me, I wouldn't even mention it, because it's embarrassing to talk about the same thing repeatedly. You can't even work here," he stated.
Yomil also shared that due to these challenges, he has chosen to diversify his income streams and not rely solely on music. "That's why I decided to invest in other areas and keep my royalties up to date, because if you rely on music alone, you'll starve; it's impossible," he added.
Yomil's message has resonated widely on social media, with numerous followers and fellow artists showing their support and agreeing with his criticisms of cultural management on the island.
This isn't the first time the artist has spoken out against the working conditions for musicians in Cuba, highlighting the obstacles faced by urban genre performers and other artists in the country.
Understanding Yomil's Criticism of Cuba's Music Industry
Why did Yomil cancel his concert in Bejucal?
Yomil canceled the concert due to last-minute changes in the cover charge, which made it financially unfeasible given the costs of audio, transportation, project expenses, salaries, and deductions by the house and company.
What challenges do musicians face in Cuba?
Musicians in Cuba face economic and bureaucratic challenges, including financial difficulties due to high costs and low earnings, as well as restrictive cultural management.
How has Yomil responded to these challenges?
Yomil has diversified his income by investing in other areas and ensuring his royalties are up to date, to avoid financial dependency solely on music.