A Dominican young man, known on TikTok as Muñeco$ (user @erotico04), has captured the hearts of Cuban women on social media after posting a brief, 15-second video of himself dancing to Cuban reparto in his apartment.
The video, shared on Monday, features the shirtless dancer adorned with extensive tattoos across his chest, neck, and arms, wearing a red durag and striped shorts. He moves energetically to the beat of "Tienes (Remix)" by Ya Ice Dilan, Rey Tony, and Helabusador. A caption on the video reads, "Dominican but love reparto," expressing his fondness for the genre.
Cuban women quickly flooded the comments with excitement, frequently asking, "Was that move necessary?"—a common expression of admiration for a particularly well-executed dance. Many also suggested he should be granted Cuban nationality due to his impressive skills in the genre.
The Rise of Cuban Reparto
Cuban reparto is a reggaeton subgenre that originated on the island, blending fast-paced rhythms with elements of timba, rumba, and urban music. It's recognized for its energetic choreography with pronounced hip movements.
International Influence on Cuban Reparto
This Dominican dancer joins the ranks of many foreigners who have won over the Cuban community on TikTok with their renditions of the genre. In May 2025, Ugandan youths went viral while dancing reparto and waving the Cuban flag, and a Mexican dancer received praise as a "master" in July 2025 after sharing his own video.
In April 2026, a pair of classical dancers, a Cuban man and a Japanese woman, also became an internet sensation dancing to the same "Tienes (Remix)" track chosen by the Dominican for his viral video.
Musical Bonds Between Cuba and the Dominican Republic
The musical connection between Cuba and the Dominican Republic is further solidified by artistic collaborations. In August 2025, Oniel Bebeshito and El Alfa released "Ropopocho," a fusion of reparto and dembow, which amassed over 900,000 views in just two days, representing the musical kinship between the two Caribbean islands.
To be told "we'll give you the nationality" is the highest compliment Cubans can offer a foreigner who masters reparto, and this tattooed, shirtless Dominican has certainly earned it.
Exploring the Cuban Reparto Phenomenon
What is Cuban reparto?
Cuban reparto is a subgenre of reggaeton that combines fast-paced rhythms with elements of timba, rumba, and urban music, known for its energetic choreography and pronounced hip movements.
Why did the Dominican dancer become popular among Cubans?
The Dominican dancer became popular for his impressive skills in dancing Cuban reparto, which he showcased in a viral TikTok video. His performance resonated with Cuban audiences, leading to enthusiastic reactions and calls for him to receive "Cuban nationality."
How have other foreigners impacted the Cuban reparto scene?
Foreigners have significantly impacted the Cuban reparto scene by sharing their own interpretations and performances, often gaining viral attention and helping to popularize the genre beyond Cuba.