Reparto Music Is Cuba’s New Urban Movement: 31 Artists to Discover

Gente de Zona made history as they became the first Cuban duo to sell out the prestigious Kaseya Center in Miami, putting on a show for 14,000 fans to mark the venue’s 25th anniversary. The duo’s impressive career includes the smash hit “Bailando” with Enrique Iglesias and Descemer Bueno, which dominated the Hot Latin Songs chart in 2014, spending a whopping 41 weeks at No. 1. This track also made waves by becoming the first Spanish-language video to hit one billion views on YouTube.

Alongside Gente de Zona, other luminaries like Osmaní García, Jacob Forever, and El Chacal played crucial roles in the explosive growth of the Cubatón movement during the 2010s. These artists blended Cuban rhythms with reggaetón, propelling the genre beyond the confines of the Caribbean island to achieve mainstream success. Notable collaborations like García teaming up with Pitbull, Sensato, and Lil Jon for “El Taxi,” Jacob Forever peaking at No. 10 on Hot Latin Songs with “Hasta Que Se Seque El Malecón,” and El Chacal hitting No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart with “Ay Mi Dios” in collaboration with Yandel and IAmChino highlighted the genre’s meteoric rise.

In recent years, following the increased accessibility of public WiFi hotspots on the island in 2018, a new wave of artists, many still residing in Cuba, have brought the spotlight to “reparto” music. This genre, once dubbed the “reggaetón of the poor,” now embodies the contemporary sound of Cuba and is garnering immense popularity on a global scale.

Reparto, inspired by the neighborhoods or housing projects in Cuba, where budding artists crafted their homemade reggaetón infused with street life narratives and local slang. The genre’s early pioneers in the mid-2000s, such as the late Elvis Manuel, Adonis MC, El Uniko, and Chocolate MC, infused the Cuban clave into their music, giving birth to the distinct sound now known as reparto.

Renowned producer NandoPro describes reparto as a fusion of Afro-American rhythms, rumba elements, and the essential Cuban clave. This genre has evolved to incorporate a mix of drums from reggaetón, hip hop, timba, and Cuban folk music. Moreover, reparto is characterized by its raw, unfiltered lyrical content, reflecting a more aggressive and explicit style of storytelling.

Today, reparto artists are reshaping the genre’s narrative, exploring themes of love, empowerment, and positivity in their music. The movement has gained substantial traction in locations like Peru, Spain, Miami, and has even attracted non-Cuban artists like Nacho, Lenny Tavárez, and Sergio George, who have ventured into the world of reparto collaborations.

Nacho, a Venezuelan artist, shares insights on the genre’s potential, comparing it to the rise of other music movements in different countries. He highlights the diverse influences present in reparto, ranging from son and salsa to reggaetón, creating a rich tapestry of sounds that captivates listeners worldwide.

As the Cubatón wave saw many exponents seeking international success in the United States post-2014, a void in urban music emerged in Cuba, which was promptly filled by the emerging reparto artists. The evolution of this music from the Cuban neighborhoods reflects a genuine and unfiltered expression that resonates with artists globally, opening up new avenues for cross-genre experimentation.

In essence, the music scene in Cuba is transforming, driven by the fresh sounds and authentic narratives of reparto artists shaping the country’s urban movement. Below, we introduce you to 31 exceptional reparto artists who are defining the future of Cuban music through their innovative and compelling contributions.