The Cuban singer-songwriter Rita Donte shared a compelling reel on her Instagram account this Saturday, which has quickly gained traction among the Cuban diaspora.
Her message, delivered in verse, serves as a prayer-like call to action for Cubans: "Light the candle, for the end is near."
Donte, originally from Havana and now residing in Mexico, offers lyrics that leave no room for doubt. In just over half a minute, she paints a vivid picture of the island's scarcity, repression, forced disappearances, and structural decay, all captured through direct and rhythmic imagery. Her work fuses her Afro-Cuban roots with the urgency of the current situation.
In the opening lines, Donte describes the boiling tension among the people: "The people boiling, the beans that won't soften, those above not yielding, those below no longer enduring," before listing the elements that define daily life under the regime: "Reggaeton, disappointment, disappearance, repression, the revolution."
A Direct Challenge to Power
The second part of her message targets those in power directly: "They must beg for forgiveness, their justice and the execution wall, the collective sentence on the night of their fate. Summoned by death and the weight of wrongdoing, they will have no gain left but to offer their surrender."
As a self-taught artist, Donte's style blends jazz, bossa nova, filin bolero, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Her debut album "Ritual," released in 2025 through Ansonia Records and produced by Gustavo Guerrero, featured 11 tracks, including "Patria Querida."
Continuing a Tradition of Protest
This message is a more direct and urgent expression of her connection to Cuba. It aligns with the tradition of diasporic musicians who have used their platforms to denounce the Cuban regime and call for freedom on the island.
The video concludes with a resonant promise shared in the comments: "The dawn will break with the morning sun, Cuba with its defiance will be free and sovereign."
Frequently Asked Questions About Rita Donte's Message
Who is Rita Donte?
Rita Donte is a Cuban singer-songwriter known for her self-taught style that mixes jazz, bossa nova, bolero filin, and Afro-Cuban roots. She resides in Mexico.
What is the main message of Rita Donte's Instagram reel?
Rita Donte's reel conveys a powerful message for Cubans to "light the candle," signifying hope and resilience amid the challenges posed by the Cuban regime.