Israel Rojas, who leads the duo Buena Fe, exemplifies the saying, "Once you get used to crying, you forget how to laugh." Not long ago, the artist expressed frustration over losing followers in Cuba. Now, he has stepped into the ongoing debate regarding El Bebeshito. Rojas criticizes the current music scene, where artists often declare themselves the greatest and their teams create "scandalous controversies" to stay in the spotlight, regardless of the impact on artistic quality.
"Even when we've been in the spotlight, it would never occur to me to claim or allow anyone to claim that we are better than any other contemporary or past artist," Rojas stated on Facebook. He believes that evaluations of one's work should come from "outside specialized voices" and that criticism, even if negative, serves as motivation to improve, despite the fact that his lyrics often face backlash. "I prefer to keep learning about the function of art, creative techniques, the society I owe myself to, and contemporary psychology and sociology," he asserted.
While Rojas doesn't directly mention El Bebeshito, his comments arrive amidst a media storm. The controversy was sparked when producer Roberto Ferrante praised the reggaeton artist as a "great Cuban artist," suggesting a comparison to music legends that some found excessive.
In a recent response, Cándido Fabré, another artist aligned with Cuban officialdom, acknowledged the reggaeton star's success but opposed any comparison to icons like Benny Moré, Celia Cruz, or Ismael Rivera. Fabré emphasized the need for "respect for the greats," noting that these artists "aren’t trends, they're eternal like the Beatles."
The remark sparked a flurry of comments from both supporters and detractors, who quickly invoked historical figures like Moré, Cruz, Rivera, and other Latin music icons. Recent articles and analyses have delved into Ferrante's career, El Bebeshito's rising fame, and the debate over how musical achievements today compare to the indelible legacy of the greats.
Understanding the Controversy in Cuban Music
What is Israel Rojas's stance on self-promotion in music?
Israel Rojas criticizes the trend of artists declaring themselves the greatest and creating controversies for attention, arguing that true artistic value should be assessed by external experts.
Why did Cándido Fabré comment on the reggaeton artist El Bebeshito?
Cándido Fabré recognized El Bebeshito's success but opposed comparing him to legendary figures like Benny Moré, Celia Cruz, and Ismael Rivera, emphasizing the need to honor these enduring icons.