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The Cuban government traditionally invests a lot in music and culture, but it also strongly controls these sectors. There is no place for music with government-critical lyrics, and if you do share them you have a high chance of being arrested. Digital media, such as social media or music distribution and commercialization platforms, offer new opportunities in this regard. A study by Marlinde Weener and Femke van Noorloos examines the role digital media plays in this. Among other things, this research shows that access to the Internet and social media have a major amplifying role on mass protests in Cuba.

On July 11, 2021, dissatisfaction among the Cuban people burst like a bomb as thousands of people took to the streets across the country to protest. Frustration over general human rights violations in the country, extreme food shortages and the failure of the healthcare sector reached a boiling point during the pandemic. During the protest, the song "Patria Y Vida" echoed from all corners. Maykel Castillo, one of the musicians behind the song and one of the leaders of the activist movement "San Isidro Movimiento," won two Latin Grammy awards for the song that is critical of the government. However, he won the awards while he had been arrested following the success of his song and was stuck in jail. In late June 2022, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison on charges of "contempt," "public disorder" and "defamation of institutions and organizations and national heroes".

Musicians play a key role

Rafeal Bou (El Individuo) is a professional musician, and feels the restrictions from the government: "My video 'Mi Raza' is a video and song that had reviews in many of the major music magazines in the U.S., such as The Fader, Tidal, Billboard, even New York Time. However, in Cuba, the video has been rejected on television." Marlinde Weener, lead researcher of this study responds: "It is important to hear the testimonies of Cuban artists and activists in order to raise awareness around the human rights violations taking place in the country." The arrival of digital media seems to be a breakthrough in this regard. Many musicians are very happy with the new possibilities it offers. Weener: "Especially to express their political discontent. Indeed, musicians and the cultural sector play a key role in the recent mass protests by young Cubans against the government, both on the streets and on social media; with greater access to the Internet and social media playing a major amplifying role.”

According to the study, digital media play an important role in collective action and political protest. "For example, it shows Cuban critical youth that change is possible, and allows them to organize strongly through social media," said Weener. "Musicians specifically can thereby express themselves critically in their music without being directly controlled by the government. At the same time, social media is used as a tool by the government to monitor artists and activists, and critical expression through social media also calls for additional strong offline repression from the government."

Awareness

Weener and Noorloos call for help for the musicians: "Dutch and European policymakers and organizations could support the youth groups and artists leading these protests, a.o. through relations with the Cuban diaspora, even when international attention declines somewhat. Raising awareness among the Dutch public is also important in this regard to hold attention; listening to the music can also help."

Curious about the music that the researchers used in their study? They have created a  featuring the music of the Cuban musicians in question.

Publication

Weener, M., & van Noorloos, F. (2022). Digital media and the empowerment of Cuban musicians in tumultuous times: ¿Un nuevo amanecer?. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, (113), 63–87. DOI: