¡Viva Cuba! Profiles of Three Artists from the Caribbean Nation
Author’s note: Ahead of a March 2025 trip to Cuba, I was inspired to learn as much as I could about the country, its history, people and culture. After that visit, I was inspired to write about it. An edited version of this and the referenced features was first published in SPIN.
Even though Cuba lies a mere 90 miles south of Key West, the island nation seems a world away. One of many byproducts of the U.S.’s paternalistic-turned-antagonistic treatment of its southern neighbor is that few in the U.S. are aware of the rich Cuban musical scene that continues to thrive. It does so in many forms, via the music of longtime émigrés from the island like Albita Rodríguez, more recent settlers in the U.S. like Cimafunk, and artists like Obsesión, who steadfastly call Cuba their home.
Click for profiles of each artist…
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.