Roberto Ferrante, the music producer and CEO of Planet Records, caused a stir on social media with his declaration about Oniel Bebeshito. Ferrante described Bebeshito as "the greatest Cuban artist of all time," surpassing legends like Benny Moré and Celia Cruz. This bold statement followed Bebeshito's concert last Saturday at Miami's Kaseya Center, which sold out and attracted thousands of fans.
In a WhatsApp chat screenshot, Ferrante congratulated the singer for his triumph and claimed that his greatness eclipses that of historical Cuban music icons. Alongside the image, Ferrante penned a trilingual message in Spanish, Italian, and English, predicting the controversy it would evoke: "I know critiques will pour in now, but I hardly care. I feel compelled to publicly express my thoughts about my artist: a bit rebellious, yet undeniably visionary and historic."
The post ignited a torrent of comments, many critical of the comparison. Frequent reactions included calls for respect towards historical figures: "What a disrespect to the careers and history of Celia and Benny," and "Bebeshito is very good, but Benny and Celia Cruz are on another level." Others mocked the comparison: "As if he were Michael Jackson," and "Comparing Bebeshito to Celia and Benny is like comparing a juice mix to a 50-year-old aged rum."
Bebeshito's Response Amidst the Controversy
As the debate raged on, attention turned to Bebeshito's response. The artist chose not to make public statements or posts on his social media, but he did make a subtle gesture that did not go unnoticed: he "liked" Ferrante's Instagram post.
This single click was interpreted as a sign of support and gratitude towards his producer. For some, it was a way to show solidarity without fully engaging in the controversy. While Ferrante stands by his statement and the debate continues, filled with criticism, Bebeshito maintains his silence, letting one "like" serve as his public reaction to one of the most talked-about comparisons in Cuban music in recent years.
Insights into the Ferrante-Bebeshito Controversy
Why did Ferrante's statement about Bebeshito cause such a stir?
Ferrante's statement caused controversy because he compared Bebeshito to Cuban music legends Benny Moré and Celia Cruz, which many people found disrespectful given their historical significance.
How did Bebeshito respond to Ferrante's controversial remarks?
Bebeshito did not make any public statements but showed support by liking Ferrante's Instagram post, which many interpreted as a sign of gratitude and solidarity with his producer.