Who Reigns Supreme on Spotify: Celia Cruz or Bebeshito? The Debate Heats Up Following Ferrante's Controversial Statement

Social media was set ablaze after Roberto Ferrante, the producer from Planet Records, made a bold statement following Oniel Bebeshito's successful concert at Miami's Kaseya Center. In an Instagram post that has sparked a mix of reactions, Ferrante declared, "You are the greatest Cuban artist of all time: greater than Benny Moré, greater than Celia Cruz, you are the greatest of all, past and present." These words ignited a debate among fans and critics, generating thousands of comments.

The influencer Cuba Urbano Noticias responded with irony and statistics, stating, "Ferraaaa, the numbers don't lie, asere." According to Spotify data, Celia Cruz boasts over six million monthly listeners, whereas Oniel Bebeshito is nearing 600,000. This stark contrast has led many to dismiss the comparison as unfounded.

On CiberCuba Entretenimiento's Facebook post, opinions varied widely, ranging from harsh criticism of Ferrante to admiration for Bebeshito's accomplishments. One user commented, "Everyone has their own genre, I respect each person's opinion; but if this is real, this gentleman is very unwell mentally. What he has in gray matter is minimal if he has any. Regarding Bebeshito, he has earned what he has through constant work. His genre has sparked an unprecedented event for his followers and for him. The perseverance and dedication in his work deserve recognition as an indefatigable fighter to reach where many have not."

Another remarked, "Please, use common sense and ethics in what you say. It's madness to compare this young man to musical geniuses like Celia and El Benny. Although in his context, he has done well financially." Some noted, "I don't know much about music, but an artist must transcend internationally, and Bebeshito is mainly known among Cubans. His music is heard in Cuba and some parts of the U.S. There’s no comparison with those legends; before Bebeshito, many others have had international hits, like Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, and others recognized worldwide. He still has a long way to go."

A fan of Bebeshito added, "It's too early to compare him to such unique musicians, even if centuries pass, as life doesn't repeat itself. Despite being a fan of Bebeshito, now with so much success, his career is just beginning, as long as he remains humble and grateful to his fans, among other qualities. But don't start comparing him to anyone."

Another critic addressed Ferrante directly: "Mr. Roberto Ferrante, you don't understand what you're saying. You don't know music, nor do you understand the musical history of my beloved country, Cuba. Learn to respect musical history and never compare Cuban musical queens and kings to a contemporary musical prospect in a genre called 'reparto.' Bebeshito, or any reparto singer, has a long way to go before being compared to Cuban musical legends."

Clearly, Ferrante's statements have thrust Bebeshito into the center of a debate that transcends mere numbers, sparking discussions on how to measure an artist's greatness: is it cultural impact, career, legacy, success in a specific genre, or global reach?