In a revealing 32-second video, Cuban artist Payaso x Ley dispelled any lingering doubts by recording himself singing the operatic intro of his track "Un Tin" while in the shower. This brief clip confirms that, while his natural voice carries a lyrical quality, the final production is indeed a testament to high-level music engineering.
Since the song's release, fans speculated whether the operatic intro was genuinely performed by him or another classically trained vocalist. The video, shared on April 25, puts these rumors to rest: it is indeed his voice, though the stark contrast between the raw and the polished versions highlights the significant role of production.
In the video, Payaso x Ley's voice sounds noticeably different and less refined compared to the recorded version, underlining the substantial production work that transformed it into the widely recognized intro.
A Unique Blend of Reparto and Opera
"Un Tin" debuted on April 20 under the Befocus Music label, featuring Rowell Urban and produced by Ernesto Losa. The artist describes his creation as a unique blend of "reparto with opera," a fusion previously unexplored within the genre.
It marks the first documented instance of Cuban reparto music, which originated in Havana around 2007 and incorporates elements of timba, rumba, and guaguancó, merging with classical European operatic singing.
Viral Success and Cultural Impact
The innovative approach proved to be a sensation. "Un Tin" has garnered over 4.6 million views and nearly 48,000 likes on YouTube. A 45-second segment of the operatic part went viral on social media, inspiring countless reels.
The song's impact has resonated throughout the Cuban community. A video of a grandmother, known as "La Abuela del Reparto" from the account @julia.martin.juli, dancing to "Un Tin" surpassed 154,000 views on TikTok. Another clip from @la_mas_viral_de_cuba featuring a grandmother dancing to the track also exceeded 150,000 views.
Demonstrating the Power of Modern Music Production
The shower video, released just four days after the official music video, emerged amid widespread curiosity about the authenticity of the operatic voice, inadvertently showcasing the prowess of contemporary music production.
Payaso x Ley boasts 956,500 monthly listeners on Spotify, and his prior hit "Las Ganas" with Musteerifa has over five million views on YouTube. With "Un Tin," he solidifies his reputation as one of the most innovative figures in the current Cuban reparto scene.
A YouTube user encapsulated the song's appeal on its release day: "The song will stand out and break through mainly because of the intro; they should have used it as a chorus, and it would have been a total hit."
Frequently Asked Questions about Payaso x Ley's "Un Tin"
Is Payaso x Ley the actual singer of the operatic intro in "Un Tin"?
Yes, Payaso x Ley is the one singing the operatic intro, as confirmed by his a cappella video.
What makes "Un Tin" unique in the Cuban music scene?
"Un Tin" is unique because it blends Cuban reparto music with classical European operatic singing, a combination not previously attempted within the genre.
How popular has "Un Tin" become?
The song has amassed over 4.6 million views on YouTube and has gone viral on social media platforms, capturing the attention of diverse audiences.