Reggaeton artist Juan Guillermo Almeida, commonly known as JG and the son of the late Revolutionary Commander Juan Almeida Bosque, is set to conclude the summer season in Cuba with his performances. According to his Facebook schedule, JG performed on August 29 in El Salvador, a town in Guantánamo, and is slated to take the stage this Saturday at Pedro A Pérez square in the same province. On August 31, he will entertain audiences at Juan Delgado square in Bejucal, Mayabeque, as part of a series of cultural events organized by the authorities.
The announcement comes amidst recent controversies surrounding the performances of urban artists at official events. In July, JG shared the stage with reggaeton stars Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 during the July 26 celebrations in Santiago de Cuba. This sparked a wave of criticism due to the political significance of the date and the dire economic crisis gripping the nation.
In response to the backlash, Dany Ome and Kevincito rescheduled their performance to July 27 at the "Rumbón Mayor" at Tarima de la Alameda, seeking to distance themselves from the event's officialist image. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta interpreted this decision as an attempt to avoid being "used as artistic bait by Caribbean communism."
Based in Miami, both reggaeton artists faced harsh criticism from the Cuban exile community for participating in concerts sanctioned by the regime, especially during politically charged commemorations. The selection of JG as the main act for closing the summer underscores the role of artists connected to the government in the cultural strategy of the regime, which persists in holding celebrations despite widespread public discontent and a severe economic crisis marked by shortages of food, medicine, and frequent power outages.
For many Cubans, these large-scale events are perceived as an effort by the regime to use music and entertainment as a distraction from the pressing social issues and daily hardships faced by millions on the island.
Controversies Surrounding Cuban Reggaeton Performances
Why did Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 reschedule their performance?
Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 rescheduled their performance to distance themselves from the political implications of the July 26 event and to avoid being associated with the government's officialist image.
What criticism did JG face for his participation in official events?
JG faced criticism for participating in government-sanctioned events amidst a severe economic crisis and during politically significant commemorations, which are seen as attempts to distract from Cuba's pressing issues.