Visual artist Michel Mirabal took to social media to express his support for Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger, who is currently fighting for his life after being shot in the head on Thursday, October 3. "Get up, damn it," Mirabal wrote alongside a video showcasing moments of their friendship.
The relationship between El Taiger and Michel Mirabal has often attracted public scrutiny, largely due to their ambiguous political stances. Despite this, the bond between the two remains strong. In 2023, Mirabal gifted the reggaeton star a piece of art featuring a "T" with his signature Cuban flag design, which El Taiger used as a logo for some of his concerts.
Art and Friendship
During one of his visits to Cuba, El Taiger spent time at "Finca Calunga," Mirabal’s residence in Guanabo, which also serves as his studio and gallery. This visit is part of the footage Mirabal shared on Instagram, highlighting their close connection.
Mirabal is a controversial figure in the art world. He maintains ties with the Cuban regime and is known to be a close friend of former communist party leader Lázaro Expósito. Yet, he has openly admired artist Willy Chirino, even gifting him one of his artworks. This duality has often put Mirabal in the crosshairs of opposition figures like Al2 El Aldeano and Silvito El Libre, who have collaborated on diss tracks targeting both him and El Taiger.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the shooting of El Taiger is still underway, and so far, law enforcement has not released any new information regarding the case.