In a vibrant homage, artist Reinier Villa Herrera has created a stunning mural on Miami's Calle Ocho honoring the late Cuban singer José Manuel Carbajal, famously known as El Taiger. This artistic tribute is prominently located between 16th and 17th avenues, adjacent to El Santo Bar. Reinier Villa Herrera shared the mural's creation process and its final form on his social media platforms, providing a detailed look at this compelling piece of art.
The mural features El Taiger with a beaming smile, sunglasses, a chain bearing his name, and a crown perched atop his head. Additionally, the phrases "La Tranka de Cuba" and the initials "LBMA," which identified the singer known for "La Historia," are inscribed on the mural. This artwork has quickly become a gathering place for fans and peers of El Taiger, who visit to pay homage to the artist's memory.
Among the notable figures who have visited the mural on Calle Ocho are Lenier Mesa, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Señorita Dayana, and El Micha. This mural highlights the significant impact El Taiger had on the Cuban community in Miami and on the island itself, where another mural featuring his image was created, specifically in Havana.
José Manuel Carbajal tragically passed away on October 10 in Miami at the age of 37, a week after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. His untimely death has left a profound void among his loved ones and fans, who gathered in Hialeah the following weekend to bid farewell. The Calle Ocho mural not only serves as a tribute to El Taiger's artistic legacy but also stands as a poignant reminder of the tragic loss that has deeply affected his supporters both in Miami and Cuba.