Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (English)

Описание: What's up mi gente! Welcome to Were You Listening?: an exploration of blackness in the songs we love.

Today we'll be listening to “Bruca Maniguá” interpreted by Ibrahim Ferrer with Buena Vista Social Club. In Bruca Maniguá, Cuban composer Arsenio Rodríguez writes about the existential need of a black man for his freedom. We’ll contextualize the song with the help of two incredible guests: Mel Semé, the artist who interprets Ibrahim Ferrer in the Buena Vista Social Club musical on Broadway, and professor David García, who has done extensive research on Arsenio.

The song says:

Yo son Carabalí, nego de nación
Sin la libertad, no pueo’ vivi’

I am Carabalí, a black man from Africa
Without freedom, I can’t live

Arsenio brilliantly uses the common practice of stereotyping black characters to flip the script and, instead, present a dignified black character proud of his ancestry, aware of his exploitation, and who demands his freedom.

Musically, the song is characteristic of Arsenio’s afro-cubanos, with an initial tango-congo section followed by a montuno, which Arsenio is the creator of.

Let’s listen!


Were we listening? 🎧

We hope this track helps to add value to your listening and awareness in your dancing!
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🔗 Click the link in bio to listen from our website or click the links to listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or in our YouTube channel!📲

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Host/Director: @andres.hincapie.no 🎙👨🏽‍💻
Producer/Sound editor: @andres.hincapie.no
Translation: @andres.hincapie.no @carlosjavierfelix
Voice-over: @gerald.harrisonjr

Mix(ed)tape logo: @jcbcsby

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