Everything You Need to Know About Velito the Buffoon, the Rising Star of Cuban Urban Music

In Cuba's urban music scene, one name is gaining significant attention: Velito the Buffoon. This young artist from Havana has achieved something exceptional in the urban genre, blending the raw language of the streets with polished production and his own artistic flair. Born on October 22 in Havana, his real name is Dariel Gutiérrez Pérez, although nearly everyone knows him by his stage name. From an early age, he showed an inclination towards the arts, training at the National Lyric Theater of Cuba, where he honed his vocal technique and stage presence—skills uncommon among urban genre performers.

Before fully dedicating himself to music, Velito graduated as a veterinarian. However, he soon swapped scalpels for microphones. “Music was always my calling,” he admitted in several interviews. His choice led him to join the Cuban urban movement, where he is making waves with his unique style.

Defining His Voice in Urban Music

Velito is unapologetically authentic. His lyrics are direct, explicit, and rooted in street culture. He tackles themes of love, desire, overcoming obstacles, and social reality with a candid tone, skillfully employing neighborhood slang with rhythmic intelligence and musicality.

His breakthrough came with the track “Mi barrio,” a collaboration with Alexander Abreu, which merges urban beats with more melodic sounds and a social message. The song paints a realistic picture of everyday life in Cuba, earning him respect from those seeking more than mere entertainment in the genre. It currently boasts over 21 million views on YouTube.

The Rise to Fame with "Todo se supera"

The impact of “Mi barrio” extended beyond music platforms, resonating on TikTok, where thousands of users incorporated its verses to express their own experiences. The song's authenticity turned it into an anthem for many young Cubans.

Velito's true rise to fame came with “Todo se supera,” his duet with singer Melanie Santiler. The music video, filmed in Havana, has surpassed five million views on YouTube and has been praised for its freshness, message, and the chemistry between the two artists. On social media, fans describe it as “a masterpiece of urban music.” In this track, Velito proves that it’s possible to be explicit without being vulgar and that urban music can also be moving. “Velito the Buffoon is the most versatile artist in the genre,” wrote a fan.

Collaborations and Continuing Success

Following this success, the singer released “Acapela,” collaborating with Jacob Forever, a leading figure in Cuban reggaeton. The song has accumulated over a million and a half views, cementing Velito as a new icon in Cuba’s urban music scene. The audience's response was immediate, celebrating the blend of generations and the fresh sound of the track. “This guy has a voice that sounds like Cuba but with international appeal,” remarked one fan. Others praised his ability to “bring class to urban music,” while maintaining the provocative edge that sets him apart.

The Era of Morbo: A New Chapter

Currently, Velito is thriving in his artistic phase known as “The Era of Morbo,” which has defined his current identity. This period is characterized by a more provocative and direct style. “I promised my wife, my mother, and my children that this would be my year,” he shared on social media while introducing this phase that has propelled him to the forefront of Cuba’s urban music scene.

Outside the studio, Velito leads a stable family life with his partner Thalía, with whom he has one child and is expecting another. He often shares personal moments on social media, revealing a more intimate and approachable side, far from the traditional urban artist image.

Today, with over 600,000 followers on Instagram, millions of views on YouTube, and a growing fan base both inside and outside Cuba, Velito the Buffoon stands out as one of the most prominent names in the current Cuban urban music scene. He is an artist who combines the grit of the streets with a modern, ambitious vision of urban music made in Cuba.