Pablo Herrera (musician)
Encyclopedia
Pablo Herrera is a rap music producer in Cuba
, currently and historically. Herrera served his country in the education system as a professor at Havana University. Herrera has written a thesis on African-American expression and also has degrees in both English
and Russian
translation. Through his work in Cuba's free university education system, Herrera has had the opportunity to mentor many young rap artists, and direct their music in a positive direction.
Herrera's main contribution to Cuban music however, hasn't been through his teachings, but rather his work as a rap producer on the island. Herrera has earned the undisputed title, of "the top rap producer," in Cuba. Groups will literally risk their entire careers for the opportunity to perform just once in front of Herrera, because of his importance to rap in Cuba. Herrera's musical talent isn't questioned, but more important than that is his close relationship with the Cuban government -- essential to success in Cuba. Herrera's relationship with the Ministry of Culture has worked to authenticate rap as both an expression of Cuban beliefs and a musical sound that is fundamentally Cuban.
Herrera's work with the government reached its apex in 1998, when "Abel Prieto
, the Minister of Culture, officially declared rap 'an authentic expression of cubanidad' and began nominally funding the annual rap festival." This official state recognition ensured that rap wasn't simply a temporary fad soon to go back across the sea like the island's tides, but an official, growing style of music that was being "Cubanized."
Herrera has another distinct advantage over other Cuban producers—his musical technology. While by most standards his set-up could be described as ordinary or banal, in Cuba, he is one of very few people capable of producing a high-quality musical sound. Herrera's musical ability and technology made him an obvious choice to produce the popular CD, "Cuban Hip-Hop All Stars" in 2001, an accompilation of the major Cuban hip-hop stars for the first time.
Regarding Cuban rap music, Herrera serves as an old guard capable of serving both the young and old generations. As someone who lived on the island prior to the "Special Period" which marked the end of Soviet Union
aid to Cuba, he understand the importance of remaining authentic to the original ideals and culture of "la revoluicion". He also has the ability to understand the needs and desires of young Cuban rappers, through his teachings, and because of his extensive experience mentoring young groups. When asked about the message of Cuban rap, Herrera responded, "Rap is like a virus,its dialectic is always changing, absorbing everything around it. I think in the end, what makes Cuban hip-hop Cuban is simply that it is being made by Cubans. They're talking about our society from the perspective of people who were born and raised in Cuba during the socialist revolution
. It is authentic music in that it is our own."
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, currently and historically. Herrera served his country in the education system as a professor at Havana University. Herrera has written a thesis on African-American expression and also has degrees in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
translation. Through his work in Cuba's free university education system, Herrera has had the opportunity to mentor many young rap artists, and direct their music in a positive direction.
Herrera's main contribution to Cuban music however, hasn't been through his teachings, but rather his work as a rap producer on the island. Herrera has earned the undisputed title, of "the top rap producer," in Cuba. Groups will literally risk their entire careers for the opportunity to perform just once in front of Herrera, because of his importance to rap in Cuba. Herrera's musical talent isn't questioned, but more important than that is his close relationship with the Cuban government -- essential to success in Cuba. Herrera's relationship with the Ministry of Culture has worked to authenticate rap as both an expression of Cuban beliefs and a musical sound that is fundamentally Cuban.
Herrera's work with the government reached its apex in 1998, when "Abel Prieto
Abel Prieto
Abel Prieto Jiménez is a Cuban politician and the current Minister of culture of the country. He is also a published author of fiction.-External links:*...
, the Minister of Culture, officially declared rap 'an authentic expression of cubanidad' and began nominally funding the annual rap festival." This official state recognition ensured that rap wasn't simply a temporary fad soon to go back across the sea like the island's tides, but an official, growing style of music that was being "Cubanized."
Herrera has another distinct advantage over other Cuban producers—his musical technology. While by most standards his set-up could be described as ordinary or banal, in Cuba, he is one of very few people capable of producing a high-quality musical sound. Herrera's musical ability and technology made him an obvious choice to produce the popular CD, "Cuban Hip-Hop All Stars" in 2001, an accompilation of the major Cuban hip-hop stars for the first time.
Regarding Cuban rap music, Herrera serves as an old guard capable of serving both the young and old generations. As someone who lived on the island prior to the "Special Period" which marked the end of Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
aid to Cuba, he understand the importance of remaining authentic to the original ideals and culture of "la revoluicion". He also has the ability to understand the needs and desires of young Cuban rappers, through his teachings, and because of his extensive experience mentoring young groups. When asked about the message of Cuban rap, Herrera responded, "Rap is like a virus,its dialectic is always changing, absorbing everything around it. I think in the end, what makes Cuban hip-hop Cuban is simply that it is being made by Cubans. They're talking about our society from the perspective of people who were born and raised in Cuba during the socialist revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
. It is authentic music in that it is our own."