The Cuban singer-songwriter Adrián Berazaín, currently on tour in Mexico, highlighted that one of the biggest challenges in maintaining an audience in Cuba is the ongoing issue of migration. The young troubadour shared in an interview with Zona Acústica that it is challenging for creators like him to develop their art in the Caribbean nation due to the migration of many Cubans, predominantly young people, leaving the island.
This situation "makes it difficult to keep a consistent audience," Berazaín noted, responding to a question about his view on the current music scene in Cuba. According to the author of the song “La Estación”, the overwhelming emergence of rhythms like reggaeton and the new repartition—"a style similar to reggaeton with a Cuban twist,"—has gained popularity among the younger generations, somewhat displacing songs with more thoughtful and profound lyrics.
Additionally, the young performer mentioned that since the Covid pandemic, Cuban musicians dedicated to less popular genres have faced a challenging period. "There wasn't any kind of cultural or entertainment activity, which made it difficult to stay relevant," he stated.
Berazaín tackles the "unpopularity" of "songs with more thoughtful and profound lyrics" by releasing singles, a way to "stay active and constantly offer new content," as noted by Zona Acústica. In this way, the performer has adapted to changes in the music industry and the current Cuban landscape.
Since 2018, and as a strategy to adjust his musical production pace, the troubadour has released an album every two years and several singles, "allowing him to stay relevant and connected with his audience," the cited website pointed out.
Berazaín arrived in Mexico on May 11 for several performances in Mexico City and Querétaro, sharing the stage with local singer-songwriter Miguel Inzunza. "Concert 'Bohemia de Ultramar' at Pedra de El Caserío, in Querétaro, with clapping and songs up close, alongside my friend Miguel Inzunza. Thanks to this special audience that accompanied and embraced us with every note," Berazaín posted last Saturday on Instagram.
Adrián Berazaín on Migration and Music in Cuba
In his interview, Adrián Berazaín sheds light on the challenges that Cuban musicians face due to migration and changing musical tastes. Below, we address some common questions about these issues.
Why does migration make it difficult to keep an audience in Cuba?
Migration results in a significant portion of the population, particularly young people, leaving the country. This reduces the local audience base, making it challenging for artists to maintain a consistent following.
How has the emergence of reggaeton and similar styles affected traditional Cuban music?
The rise of reggaeton and similar styles has become very popular among younger generations, often overshadowing traditional Cuban music that features more thoughtful and profound lyrics.
What strategies has Adrián Berazaín used to stay relevant in the music industry?
Berazaín has adapted by releasing singles regularly and maintaining a bi-annual album release schedule. This approach helps him stay active and continuously offer new content to his audience.