Orishas (band)
Orishas was an internationally successful Cuban hip- hop group, which consisted 1999-2009.
- 3.1 texts
Biography
The idea of creating a music group that combines modern hip-hop and rap elements with Cuban folk music such as Son and Bolero, came the well-known producer " DJ Niko " and the Cuban exiles Livan " Flaco Pro". In the major record companies and the music scene of Cuba, the idea caught on, whereupon the two Yotuel "Guerrero " Manzanares, Hiram " Ruzzo " Riveri and Roldan Rivero brought into the studio. They called themselves " Orishas ", according to the same gods of Santería faith, which is widely used as a mixture of Catholicism and African religions in Cuba. After a year, her first album was released in 2000. A lo Cubano made the Orishas with 25,000 CDs sold to stars of Spanish-language hip- hop. Thanks to this success, they could release their debut in other countries. In 2004, she received the Latin Grammy for best hip- hop band. They were received with other musicians of Fidel Castro. This was the first time that the government has publicly supported hip-hop.
In December 2009, the band announced its dissolution after ten years of existence. The last concert was held in Zurich on 12 December 2009.
Band Members
Livan " Flaco Pro"
Livan has launched the band with the help of producer DJ Niko into life, but now left the band.
The band now comprises only three members: Roldán Gonzalez Rivero, Yotuel Romero Manzanares and Hiram Riveri.
Roldán González Rivero
Roldan is the one in the band, the finishing touch is the hip-hop and rap songs with his soft vocals.
Roldan worked in Cuba as a professor of classical guitar, was Son singer and tres player. He emigrated to France in order to search for more musical inspiration. There he met producer DJ Niko, who wanted him immediately for his new project. He lives in Paris.
Yotuel Omar Romero Manzanares
Yotuel is one of the two rappers of the band.
For Yotuel, an immigrant from Cuba who has lived in Italy, Spain and France, a rap was nothing new when he came to the Orishas. He was a member of the hitherto most famous hip- hop group in Cuba, Amenaza. He lives in Madrid.
Hiram Riverí Medina
Hiram (aka Ruzzo ) is one of the two rappers of the band.
Also Hiram comes from Cuba, but emigrated to France. He rapped along with Yotuel in the Cuban band Amenaza. He now lives in Milan.
Discography
- 2000: A lo Cubano
- 2002: Emigrante
- 2005: El Kilo
- 2007: Antidiótico
- 2008: Cosita buena
Texts
Most of the Orishas lyrics relate to what is happening in Cuba, about the problems and the joys of the people of Cuba. The band wants to distract from the peaceful resort island and show the listener the world behind the white sandy beaches and discussed, among other things (child ) prostitution ( Reina de la calle ), emancipation ( Mujer ) and racism ( Tumbando y dando ). The treatment of political issues also led to the censorship of their publications. However, the group also looked at issues such as love, longing and friendship. A quote: " I do not sing to sing, I sing to keep from crying. " (No canto por cantar, canto por no llorar. )