On August 13, prominent pro-government singer-songwriter Raúl Torres unveiled a new track honoring Fidel Castro to mark what would have been the 99th birthday of the Cuban dictator. The song, named "Soy por Fidel," is part of the regime's ongoing effort to revive the memory of the deceased leader. In a nostalgic and elegiac tone, the piece mourns the absence of the tyrant.
Torres revisits the reverent style that has defined other works of his, such as "Cabalgando con Fidel" and "El regreso del amigo," which was dedicated to Hugo Chávez. "Fidelidad por siempre nos quedará, qué falta nos haces, papá" ("Loyalty forever will remain with us, we miss you, father"), Torres sings in one of the verses of his latest release. Unlike traditional media channels, the song was primarily spread through the musician's own social media platforms.
The song features accompaniment by popular Cuban singer Vania Borges. The chorus portrays Fidel Castro as a beacon of guidance and hope, while emphasizing an alleged collective sense of loss following his passing.
Alongside the song's release, Torres expressed his frustration with Facebook’s algorithm, claiming that the social network restricts the reach of his content. Despite his song "Patria o Muerte por la Vida" being labeled by Google as the worst song of 2021, the troubadour remains steadfast in his role as a voice for the regime, even amidst a profound crisis that has undermined the ideological foundations of what is known as the communist "continuity" in Cuba.
Insights into Raúl Torres' Tribute to Fidel Castro
Why did Raúl Torres release a song for Fidel Castro?
Raúl Torres released the song "Soy por Fidel" to commemorate what would have been Fidel Castro's 99th birthday, as part of a campaign to revive the former leader's legacy.
How was Raúl Torres' song distributed?
The song was shared through Raúl Torres' social media accounts rather than traditional media outlets like radio or television.
What is the theme of "Soy por Fidel"?
The song has a nostalgic and elegiac tone, mourning Fidel Castro's absence and portraying him as a symbol of guidance and hope.