The French rapper Ferapth has unveiled the official music video for "Libertad," a bilingual hip-hop track in French and Spanish dedicated to the ongoing struggle for freedom in Cuba. The song draws inspiration from his personal experiences on the island.
In an interview with CiberCuba, the artist elaborated on what motivated him to create this piece: "As a French hip-hop artist, I have traveled to Cuba multiple times, where I got to see firsthand the daily realities of the island through personal interactions and human connections."
"Out of these experiences emerged 'Libertad,' a song and video inspired by what I witnessed there, and my desire to bring visibility to these realities for the French-speaking audience," Ferapth added.
The lyrics leave no room for ambiguity, blending verses in both languages to depict Cuba's crisis, with explicit references to shortages—"empty stores, scarce medicine, each day passes under a pale sky"—and the collapse of tourism along with hotel closures.
The chorus, sung in Spanish, encapsulates the core message of the track: "We shout freedom, we shout freedom, no more lies. The flame of hope lights our way."
The song concludes with a repeated chant that is crystal clear: "Down with the dictatorship. Down with the Castro dictatorship."
The subtitle of the song, "Patria Y Vida," directly references the Cuban protest anthem released in February 2021 by Yotuel Romero, Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo, and El Funky, which became a musical symbol of opposition to the regime and a cultural catalyst for the protests on July 11, 2021.
That anthem won two Latin Grammys in November 2021: Song of the Year and Best Urban Song, and was named one of the 50 best songs of that year by Rolling Stone.
The connection between "Patria y Vida" and France has roots: in March 2021, the Cuban anthem was added to the curriculum of a French school as study material under the theme "Art and Power," highlighting the French-speaking public's interest in Cuba's situation.
Available on platforms like Apple Music and Deezer, Ferapth mentioned that the project was previously introduced by Diario Las Américas in Miami through an interview and article, and he is open to conducting more interviews to broaden its reach.
"Cuba awakens, my people, the nation will not remain silent. Freedom for the island," Ferapth sings in one of the song's most direct passages, encapsulating the spirit of a track that aims to amplify the Cuban people's voices within the francophone scene.
Understanding the Impact of "Libertad" and "Patria Y Vida"
What inspired Ferapth to create the song "Libertad"?
Ferapth was inspired by his personal travels to Cuba, where he witnessed the island's daily struggles and connected with its people.
How does "Libertad" connect to "Patria Y Vida"?
"Libertad" carries the subtitle "Patria Y Vida," referencing the Cuban protest anthem that symbolizes opposition to the regime and inspired cultural movements in 2021.
What message does the chorus of "Libertad" convey?
The chorus, sung in Spanish, calls for freedom and an end to lies, emphasizing hope that persists despite challenges.