Judith Porto, a pioneering figure in Cuban rap, has died in Spain, where she had lived for over 20 years. The 51-year-old singer passed away after suffering a stroke during a concert, revealed fellow rapper El Funky in a Facebook post that he later deleted.
"After a week on life support, she was disconnected yesterday. She suffered a stroke mid-concert. Judith Porto (La Yuya), a legend in Cuban rap, known by everyone in the scene. Fly high, and my condolences to all who knew her. Thank you for your contribution to the genre and your incredible voice that will live on forever," he wrote.
Born in Havana on March 9, 1973, Porto was a member of the rap trio Instinto, the first all-female rap group in Cuba, founded in the 1990s. The group often performed at the Alamar Festivals, alongside most Cuban rap groups, until the government banned them.
The women of Instinto blended rap with other genres like Afro-Cuban and lyrical music, showcasing their excellent improvisational skills. They had a unique rapping style, alternating between singing and choruses, and incorporating popular sayings.
In the early 2000s, Judith Porto moved to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where she built a prolific career alongside her husband, musician, composer, and director René González Pérez. She performed as a soloist and, since 2020, also with Mambisa, a mostly female group that fuses Canarian, Afro-Cuban, and flamenco rhythms.
In recent years, she also collaborated with the Canary Islands Jazz Orchestra, recording the 2023 album Fulele en Guanabacoa, which combines Canarian and Cuban music, funk, jazz, hip hop, and other rhythms. She lent her voice and wrote the lyrics for the album.
Judith was scheduled to perform with the Canary Islands Jazz Orchestra on Saturday at the closing concert of the Big Band Workshop Costa Adeje in Tenerife, where they were to interpret pieces by Hispanic-American female composers.
Cuban rapper Yrak Saenz Orta, founder of the iconic group Doble Filo, paid a heartfelt tribute to Judith Porto on his Facebook profile. "I just learned of the passing of one of the greatest voices in the history of Cuban rap, an incredible person, a beautiful and charismatic woman, a rare artist, always smiling. A multifaceted artist with an incredible and powerful voice that always captivated us when she took the stage. Rest in peace, my dear Judith Porto," he wrote.
Judith Porto's Legacy in Cuban Rap
Here are some frequently asked questions about Judith Porto and her impact on Cuban rap.
What was Judith Porto's contribution to Cuban rap?
Judith Porto was a pioneering figure in Cuban rap, known for blending rap with other musical genres such as Afro-Cuban and lyrical music. She was a member of Instinto, the first all-female rap group in Cuba, and later pursued a successful solo career.
How did Judith Porto's career evolve after moving to Spain?
After moving to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the early 2000s, Judith Porto continued her musical career, performing as a soloist and with the group Mambisa. She also collaborated with the Canary Islands Jazz Orchestra, recording the album Fulele en Guanabacoa.
What was the significance of Instinto in Cuban rap history?
Instinto was the first all-female rap group in Cuba, formed in the 1990s. They were known for their unique style, which combined rap with other genres and showcased strong improvisational skills. Their performances at the Alamar Festivals were highly influential before being banned by the government.