The Cuban content creator Adrián Rojas, known as @cubanitocrazy on Instagram, has released a parody titled "I'm Hungry," transforming the popular song "Dame Hombro" by Dominican artist Bulin 47 into a sharp critique of Cuba's pervasive crisis.
In just 26 seconds, Rojas encapsulates both his anger and humor, mentioning figures like Miguel Díaz-Canel, Raúl Castro, and Manuel Marrero. He criticizes the 67 years of dictatorship with a catchy refrain that repeats: "I'm hungry, chay, chay, chay / I'm hungry, chay, chay, chay / I can't take it anymore, chay, chay, chay / I'm hungry."
The song starts with a vivid, relatable scene: "Haven't eaten pudding since the year before last, around when the rations stopped coming." It then targets the regime's leadership: "Díaz-Canel has ruined the entire country, with China, Lazo, and also Marrero. Together, they've stolen even democracy, leaving Cuba in misery and despair."
Garnering over 12,000 likes and 225 comments in just hours, reactions to the video range from laughter to bitterness. Users echoed, "It's funny, but it's true," while another remarked, "Man, you nailed it." Summing it up, someone commented, "Total famine," and another captured the bittersweet humor: "It's hilarious, yet I'm still hungry afterward."
"Dame Hombro" originated in early October from a spontaneous street performance in Madrid between Bulin 47 and Colombian freestyler Kevin Wai, becoming a global viral sensation with over 100 million views across platforms. In Cuba, it has inspired both entertainment and political protest versions, including adaptations calling for the release of political prisoners.
Rojas's parody falls into the latter category, emerging as Cuba's food crisis reaches dire proportions. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights estimated in August that about 80% of the population skipped at least one meal due to lack of money or food, with 94% living in extreme poverty.
This isn't Rojas's first foray into viral content highlighting collective crises. In December 2024, he humorously suggested a five-peso "ponina" to buy a power plant. In another satirical piece from the same year, he quipped that Cuba had regressed so much that Christopher Columbus could rediscover it.
Understanding Cuba's Crisis Through Satire
What is the main message of Adrián Rojas's "I'm Hungry" parody?
The parody delivers a stark critique of Cuba's ongoing crisis, highlighting the widespread hunger and deterioration under the current regime.
How has the Cuban public reacted to Rojas's parody?
The video has received mixed reactions ranging from laughter to a sobering acknowledgment of its truth, reflecting the public's deep frustration with the situation.
What impact has the "Dame Hombro" song had in Cuba?
In Cuba, "Dame Hombro" has inspired not only entertainment but also politically charged adaptations, becoming a tool for both humor and protest.