Cuban rapper El B, whose real name is Bian Oscar Rodríguez Gala, shared his thoughts on the recent incident involving Baby Lores, who was prevented from entering Cuba while on an urgent trip to visit his mother in intensive care. El B took this opportunity to remind everyone of Baby Lores' past as a public supporter of the Cuban dictatorship.
In a video shared on Facebook, El B began with a statement of principles: "I believe it is crucial for achieving a nation's freedom and its subsequent rebuilding to remember events like these."
Baby Lores' Controversial History
Instead of simply expressing sympathy for Baby Lores, El B—co-founder of the dissident rap duo Los Aldeanos—pointed out that Baby Lores was not always on the side of the regime's critics.
"Not only did Baby Lores tattoo the image of dictator Fidel Castro on his arm, but he also documented the process in a music video for a song called 'Creo,' which praised the dictatorship. The lyrics attacked people who think like me and many other Cubans, and they included direct jabs at the Cuban exile community," El B noted.
He emphasized that the song, released in 2009, was no coincidence but appeared just as dissident rap was starting to shake things up within Cuba.
"Baby Lores is not a rapper; he's an artist trained in music, known for other genres like reggaeton, ballads, and salsa. Suddenly, at this critical moment, he releases a rap song praising the dictatorship," El B explained.
Copying Dissident Style
El B went further to suggest that the video for "Creo" mimicked the style of his own protest song.
"Coincidentally, Baby Lores' video for 'Creo' resembles the aesthetic of 'La naranja se picó'," El B stated, implying that it was an attempt by the authorities to counter the impact of critical rap circulating within the island.
Memory as a Form of Justice
El B made it clear that he does not rejoice in anyone's suffering, but he refuses to erase the past.
He recalled that while "Creo" was played on Cuban TV and radio every five minutes, artists and ordinary people in the United States couldn't cross the border to see their ailing relatives.
He shared a personal pain: "Some pains can only be understood when experienced. For instance, my mother didn't receive the care she needed, and she died while I was still in Cuba during those years."
He also mentioned the case of Celia Cruz, who was banned by the regime and separated from her mother until her death, highlighting that such repressive practices have a long history.
"The reason Baby Lores had to separate from his family in Cuba is the dictatorship. And it's the dictatorship that prevents him from visiting his sick mother," he stated firmly.
A Warning to Cubans Living on the Island
The most powerful part of the video was aimed at those still residing in Cuba.
"To my Cuban followers, people in Cuba, let this be a lesson on what to support and get involved with, because tomorrow you could be Baby Lores," he warned.
El B concluded his video with a clear call to action: "Long live a free Cuba, down with the dictatorship, no more divided families, no more people unable to return to their country to visit sick relatives!"
Last Saturday, Baby Lores boarded a flight in Miami but was forced to disembark just moments before takeoff, without any official explanation from Cuban authorities.
The singer linked the action to his increasingly critical stance against the regime, particularly since 2021.
In April of this year, he participated in the court hearing of artist El Insurrecto, and in March, his foundation Somos Esperanza was honored at the U.S. Capitol for its work with children with autism.
Understanding the Impact of Baby Lores' Ban
Why was Baby Lores banned from entering Cuba?
Baby Lores was banned from entering Cuba as an apparent response to his critical stance against the regime, which he has adopted more firmly since 2021.
What was the significance of the song "Creo" by Baby Lores?
The song "Creo" by Baby Lores was significant because it praised the Cuban dictatorship at a time when dissident rap was gaining momentum within the island. It also contained lyrics attacking those who opposed the regime.
How did El B respond to the situation involving Baby Lores?
El B responded by reminding the public of Baby Lores' past support for the regime and used the incident to highlight the importance of remembering who has supported the dictatorship.