The rapper known as El B reignited tensions on Monday with his former collaborator Al2 El Aldeano, throwing down the gauntlet on Instagram. In a series of stories, El B openly challenged Aldo to confront him "face-to-face" with evidence regarding their decade-long estrangement.
The rift between the two artists resurfaced on Sunday when El B broke his silence after 12 years with a revealing video. In it, he accused Aldo of consistent attacks against him and his wife, Lía. Aldo quickly countered by posting a photo from the day El B arrived in the United States, claiming Mariela—his child's mother—was present to welcome them.
"This picture was taken by Mariela the day you and your wife arrived in this country, because she came with me to pick you up," Aldo wrote in his stories. He further alleged that Mariela sent toys to El B's child while they were processing their visa and added a controversial remark: "At least raise my child, yours hasn't raised anyone."
El B's response was swift and filled with personal recollections and direct accusations. A key point in his defense was his claim of ignorance regarding Mariela's connections to the Castro family in 2014.
Uncovering Family Ties
"You know well I didn't know who Mariela was. No one knew. In 2014, no one knew who the Castro family was or their connections," he asserted.
He explained that Aldo introduced Mariela as "the love of his life" from adolescence and that it wasn't until years later, following Fidel Castro's death and the exposure of certain family ties on social media, that he grasped the full picture.
"When it became known, when I found out, I distanced myself from you," he said.
Confronting the Past
El B also addressed Aldo's references to financial and familial support during the migration process, reminding him of his own support for Aldo's family in Cuba.
"Don't bring up toys or anything like that, remember I lived across from your daughter's house and took care of her," he mentioned.
The discussion took a sharper turn when El B questioned the authenticity of the airport photo shared by Aldo. According to El B, the image was hastily taken to mitigate criticism Aldo faced for staying in the U.S. while El B remained in Cuba.
"That little airport hug photo had to be taken by Mariela right away. You know why. Because people were roasting you, saying: 'Hey, stop the hypocrisy, you left Albian stranded in Cuba,'" he asserted.
Public Showdown Challenge
El B accused Aldo of exploiting the fame of Los Aldeanos alongside Silvito El Libre while he was still stuck in Cuba.
"Here you were doing concerts with Silvito claiming they were Los Aldeanos. I've got all the flyers," he stated.
He claimed this event spurred a renewal of communication after a long period of silence between them. "I spent time in Cuba not knowing anything about you," he said.
The feud intensified when El B accused Aldo's circle of altering stories about who actually picked him up at the airport upon his U.S. arrival.
"You had your secretary saying he picked me up at the airport. Now you say Mariela did. Get your story straight," he fired back.
Throughout the audio, El B emphasized his readiness to confront Aldo publicly with "proof" to reveal what happened behind the split of the iconic Cuban rap duo.
"Let's show the face to the public of Los Aldeanos, to all those who believed in us. You with your evidence and me with mine," he declared.
He also accused Aldo of orchestrating years of indirect smear campaigns against him and his partner.
"The Internet is full of videos of people talking crap about me and Lía. And you were hiding," he stated before ending with a direct warning: "It's over. Let me know when you want to see me."
The renewed clash between these artists has sparked a wave of reactions among Cuban rap fans, many taken aback by the severity of the accusations and the public airing of personal conflicts that had long been whispered about in the Cuban artistic community.
Understanding the El B and Aldo Feud
What triggered the conflict between El B and Aldo?
The conflict reignited after El B released a video accusing Aldo of systematic attacks, which led to Aldo responding with claims about their past interactions, including familial and migration issues.
How did El B react to Aldo's claims about Mariela?
El B argued that in 2014 he was unaware of Mariela's ties to the Castro family and only realized the connections years later. This lack of awareness was a significant point in his defense.
What are the implications of their fallout for the Cuban rap community?
The fallout brought to light personal disputes and allegations that have surprised fans, stirring discussions within the Cuban rap community and possibly impacting the legacy of Los Aldeanos.