By Heldrys Contreras
Photos: Courtesy of Hermanazos
Photos: Courtesy of Hermanazos
Talented, worried about the society and the problems concerning youth, they are the members of Hermanazos: Danny Osmell Velázquez Iglesias (Afrovelázquez, director, composer and vocalist), Johaned Bueno Claxton (singer) and Juan Reinier Velázquez Calzado (Rey Jamal, dancer and vocalist).
Although they have majored in different professions, a passion unites them: rap music and hip hop culture. Nowstanding the consanguinity links that predetermined these three young people get together to transform the new generations’ mentalities with their lyrics, the band they belong today is a proof of artistic maturity.
The beginnings
Afrovelázquez: “Hermanazos was created 10 years ago. First it was a duetto that, because of the close relation between a friend and I, we decided to name it like that. At that time everything flowed very cool, but seven years later we decided to separate. Nevertheless, I kept moving forwards. Then Johaned, who shared scene with me occasionally, and my brother joined”.
Afrovelázquez: “Hermanazos was created 10 years ago. First it was a duetto that, because of the close relation between a friend and I, we decided to name it like that. At that time everything flowed very cool, but seven years later we decided to separate. Nevertheless, I kept moving forwards. Then Johaned, who shared scene with me occasionally, and my brother joined”.
A new format, a new era
Afrovelázquez: “In these times we have live instrumentation, to give a greater relevance to the group within the cultural panorama. We basically use the typical thing of hip hop, although based and supported well by the bass, the guitar, piano, drum, sax, trumpet, choirs and with influence of funky, jazz, blues, R& B, folclor.
Afrovelázquez: “In these times we have live instrumentation, to give a greater relevance to the group within the cultural panorama. We basically use the typical thing of hip hop, although based and supported well by the bass, the guitar, piano, drum, sax, trumpet, choirs and with influence of funky, jazz, blues, R& B, folclor.
“All this allowed us to approach more to the typical music of Cuba. Somehow the instruments look for sonority, but in the end everything you were born with breaks out, the Cuban music. I believe that has to do with the history of the second part of the group, to which we called Hermanazos’ new era”.
King Jamal: “In 2007 Johaned and I came together. Both of us had several needs, among them to differentiate within the hip hop culture. The project includes music and other artistic expressions like poetry, dance, break dances, that we extend towards the show. Whenever we went to the scene, we want to offer a different spectacle that identifies us”.
The lyrics
Afrovelázquez: “There is the belief that rap is the critical or more protestant part of social denunciation. As for me I feel something very important is missing in the Cuban culture: joy, fun and dance. I decided to rescue those features of identity in the lyrics without stopping sending the message, without stopping contributing to the education of the society.
Afrovelázquez: “There is the belief that rap is the critical or more protestant part of social denunciation. As for me I feel something very important is missing in the Cuban culture: joy, fun and dance. I decided to rescue those features of identity in the lyrics without stopping sending the message, without stopping contributing to the education of the society.
“It is important to have practical, anti-establishment, direct rap themes, but without losing the essence of the Cuban”.
Johaned: “These genres should be presented from a totally different perspective as they are handled in other countries. Each rapper, from his position, expresses what is well in his society. Also, the speech subject is valid here, but also the funny part, since this is what distinguishes us”.
Afrovelázquez: “We as Cubans represent hope. We should contribute with creativity to the world, to concentrate in the positive values of the society. You expressed yourself according you live and are”
Themes, selection and musical production
Afrovelázquez: “I like that a disc sounds very real, even the mixtures. The three of us got a consensus on where the work must go. With this new format I can create music and lyric at the same time. But I believe that everybody has to do, because when I do the vocal part I lean on what Johaned is thinking. The same happens with my brother. He has a style, a way of raping different from mine, so I adapt what I write based on him, or I give them to him to read them and adds what he wishes. It is a work altogether”.
Afrovelázquez: “I like that a disc sounds very real, even the mixtures. The three of us got a consensus on where the work must go. With this new format I can create music and lyric at the same time. But I believe that everybody has to do, because when I do the vocal part I lean on what Johaned is thinking. The same happens with my brother. He has a style, a way of raping different from mine, so I adapt what I write based on him, or I give them to him to read them and adds what he wishes. It is a work altogether”.
“In addition, we counted on the presence of good artists, with a great musical level to be able to obtain which we want more accurately; then this also contributes to the production”.
Rey Jamal: “Regarding the musicians, sometimes we give them the opportunity to create and to make their things. Then we changed the theme and that gives them the possibility of feeling well”.
Johaned: “The peculiar thing of the group is that each one loves a different musical tendency. That wealth that surrounds the group makes its work possible”.
The most recent record: Hermanazos, peace and love
Johaned: “The leading idea of our work is peace and love. We get along together like a family. Nowadays the world is too tumultuous and what you live is very strong for youth. Within that controversy, offering an encouraging message that makes existence more bearable, offering a solution to the problems from the view of harmony and good human relations is our motto. When you love, everything in life flows better”.
Johaned: “The leading idea of our work is peace and love. We get along together like a family. Nowadays the world is too tumultuous and what you live is very strong for youth. Within that controversy, offering an encouraging message that makes existence more bearable, offering a solution to the problems from the view of harmony and good human relations is our motto. When you love, everything in life flows better”.
Afrovelázquez: “`Black people' is a necessary theme for the disc and the African descendants: how we thought, how we felt and, without stereotyping us, to identify us with what we are. We could not ignore in this disc the subject of blackness. There are also some advices to youth. The message is optimism. The man can live with an infinity of difficulties, but that cannot kill his spirit, his joy”.
The temperature of the hip hop movement in Cuba
Afrovelázquez: “It is better than when it began. In the beginning it had many limitations, but there were enormous desires to say and to do. We should remember that it started at the beginning of the decade of the 90, in the middle of a crisis, in the special period, plus the collapse of the socialist block, and youth needs to express itself. However, at present it is growing. The important thing in hip hop, besides the different nomenclatures or sides their creators take, is to do it well”.
Afrovelázquez: “It is better than when it began. In the beginning it had many limitations, but there were enormous desires to say and to do. We should remember that it started at the beginning of the decade of the 90, in the middle of a crisis, in the special period, plus the collapse of the socialist block, and youth needs to express itself. However, at present it is growing. The important thing in hip hop, besides the different nomenclatures or sides their creators take, is to do it well”.
An advice to beginners
Afrovelázquez: “Before taking a way, especially in rap, first you have to think and think again what you want. To study and to know all regarding the hip hop culture in the world and in Cuba. Rap forces you to be competent. The rapper is another kind of intellectual: an intellectual from the street, as Zurbano* says; therefore he has a social commitment. Rap is revolution and, as such revolution, it takes a constant change. If rap’s speech is based on change, the rapper also must show that he changes. With rap you are transforming the society, but also to yourself”.
Afrovelázquez: “Before taking a way, especially in rap, first you have to think and think again what you want. To study and to know all regarding the hip hop culture in the world and in Cuba. Rap forces you to be competent. The rapper is another kind of intellectual: an intellectual from the street, as Zurbano* says; therefore he has a social commitment. Rap is revolution and, as such revolution, it takes a constant change. If rap’s speech is based on change, the rapper also must show that he changes. With rap you are transforming the society, but also to yourself”.
Johaned: “I advice them to educate themselves and pay attention to the little details, to be deeper and not to concentrate in the superficial thing”.
Rey Jamal: “My message is addressed to the preparation and the study, but, first of all, they must be very professional. I believe the rapper does not have to be necessarily related to the marginal thing. Whoever who has the conviction about what he wants to do and why can do rap”.
Awards
2001: Third place in Ceiba Rapeando Festival.
2003-2006: Golden Prize in the Amateurs Provincial Festival of FEU.
2004 and 2007: Golden Prize in Fan the Amateurs National Festival of FEU. 2011: Awards to the best Hip-Hop Demo in Cuerda Viva Award
2001: Third place in Ceiba Rapeando Festival.
2003-2006: Golden Prize in the Amateurs Provincial Festival of FEU.
2004 and 2007: Golden Prize in Fan the Amateurs National Festival of FEU. 2011: Awards to the best Hip-Hop Demo in Cuerda Viva Award
* Roberto Zurbano Torres. 1965. Cuban essay writer, critic and literary resarcher. He has won different awards in Cuba and his work of critic and essay is internationally. Awards: Letra and Solfa Awards (1994). Juan Marinello Essay Award. Abril Award (1995) for his wssay “Poetry of the 90”s: profits of expression? Pinos Nuevos Awards (1996). Mirta Aguirre Award of Literary Critic (1999). National Award of Cultural Journalism 2000.
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