A TikTok video shared on Monday by the account @yannys_real sparked a wave of nostalgia among thousands of Cubans with a sentiment that's been echoed for quite some time: "Everything's great with the new music, but remember when Cuban music sounded like this?"
In just under 48 hours, this one-minute and 54-second clip garnered over 45,000 views, more than 6,200 likes, and 424 shares, along with 230 comments that turned into a collective journey back to the island's musical past.
The video features snippets of songs that defined an era: "Señorita esta vez sí se le fue la guagua, la chica del dos mil," is heard in the opening seconds, followed by lines like "Tumbado tumbado tumbado mamá tumbado, espérate que te veo fumando, tremenda osadera ahí donde estás metida."
Behind these lyrics are names that got an entire generation dancing: Los 4, Yomil y El Dany, La Charanga Habanera, Los Desiguales, El Chacal, Yakarta, and Chocolate MC, among others, were key figures in Cuban reggaeton before the rise of the new urban music scene.
The Rise of Cuban Reggaeton
Cuban reggaeton began gaining traction in the late 1990s with artists like Candyman, Marca Registrada, and El Médico, and throughout the following decade, it significantly expanded its presence at parties, clubs, and other venues across the island.
La Charanga Habanera, established in 1988 and led by David Calzado, became one of the most popular Cuban bands of its time and even received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2003. Randy Malcom was part of the group before gaining international fame with Gente de Zona.
Los 4, under the leadership of Jorge Junior, produced hits like "Hazte el Gangsta," "Quisiera Volver," and "Prisionero," and in 2019, they collaborated with La Charanga Habanera on "Chaleco antibalas."
A Nostalgic Reflection
Perhaps no other name stirs as much emotion as Yomil y El Dany, the duo that made "traptón"—a blend of trap and reggaeton—popular with tracks like "Tengo," "Rikaperry," and "Estamos pa' to'."
The passing of El Dany—Daniel Muñoz Borrego—on July 18, 2020, in Havana at the age of 31, added a special emotional weight to this nostalgia. His absence turned Yomil y El Dany into a symbol of a phase in Cuban urban music, with each anniversary of his death bringing numerous messages of remembrance from fans.
The new wave of Cuban urban music, known as "el reparto," which incorporates elements of reggaeton and other rhythms, gained popularity in Havana's neighborhoods and became one of the most prominent sounds among the island's urban artists during the 2020s. This trend even sparked debates in official media platforms like the Mesa Redonda.
The comparison between the past and present musical landscapes isn't new on social media, but the video by @yannys_real captured it succinctly, evoking nostalgia: it's not about rejecting the new, but cherishing the music that resonated with an entire generation.
Now, the question remains: from that golden era of Cuban reggaeton, which song was your favorite?
Exploring Cuban Reggaeton's Legacy
What artists were prominent in the early days of Cuban reggaeton?
In the early days of Cuban reggaeton, artists such as Candyman, Marca Registrada, and El Médico played crucial roles in popularizing the genre.
Who are some notable figures from the golden era of Cuban reggaeton?
Notable figures from the golden era include Los 4, Yomil y El Dany, La Charanga Habanera, Los Desiguales, El Chacal, Yakarta, and Chocolate MC.
How did the "reparto" music style emerge in Cuba?
"El reparto," a blend of reggaeton and other urban rhythms, emerged in the 2020s in Havana's popular neighborhoods, becoming a dominant sound among urban artists in Cuba.