Paulito FG's Perspective on Music: "The Value of Popularity is Confused with Populism"

The acclaimed Cuban singer Paulito FG, a pivotal figure in the island's dance music scene, tragically passed away this Saturday following an accident in Havana. Throughout his career, he offered profound insights into the evolution of the genre and the music industry. Speaking to CubaSí, he highlighted a troubling trend: the blurring of lines between the genuine value of popularity and the superficiality of populism, which he felt was eroding the quality and core of Cuban art.

For Paulito, popular music carries a significant cultural and social weight that should not be compromised by commercial interests or shallow formulas aimed at mass appeal without true substance. He expressed concerns about the current state of Cuban music, where he saw a worrying trend towards trivializing popular music. According to him, the focus has shifted to achieving immediate success and viral fame rather than prioritizing artistic quality and depth.

"It's dangerous when we stop valuing the true essence of music, turning it into a soulless commodity," he remarked in the interview. For the artist, music should transcend mere entertainment, balancing public acceptance with musical excellence.

Throughout his more than three-decade career, Paulito FG stood out for his dedication to innovation and authenticity in dance music. By blending timba with modern elements, he became a key figure in the Cuban music scene, sharing his art beyond the island. However, he often voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction contemporary music was taking, where the industry seemed to prioritize instant gratification and superficiality over identity and heritage.

"These days, there's a lot of confusion between what's genuinely popular and what's merely populist. True popularity springs from the heart of the people, their identity, and their history. Populism, on the other hand, is manufactured to please without depth, message, or roots," he explained. Paulito FG was concerned about the recent trend in production focusing more on repetitive commercial formulas lacking substance.

He believed that popular music should not be reduced to a commercial shell devoid of essence. The success of an artist, he argued, should not be measured solely by the number of plays, social media virality, or market demand, but rather by the enduring power of their work and its dignified representation of Cuban culture. "A social media hit might last a month, but a well-crafted song can accompany generations," he reflected.

Paulito FG's legacy is not just a catalog of successful albums but also a critical and thoughtful stance on the industry's state and the artist's responsibility to their craft. His warnings about the impact of globalization and foreign influences on Cuban music were clear. "I'm not against evolution or fusion, but we must be careful about what we adopt and what we let slip away. Cuban music has a unique richness that shouldn't be diluted by fleeting trends," he warned.

His cautionary words about the confusion between popularity and populism are especially pertinent today, with digital platforms and fleeting trends reshaping music consumption. "If we don't protect our identity and respect our music, we risk losing what's authentic and being left with only an empty reflection of what once was," he cautioned in one of his last interviews.

Paulito FG, with his distinctive style and commitment to musical quality, left a clear message for future generations of artists: true popular music is that which emerges from the people, remains faithful to its essence, and stands the test of time, resisting the superficial pull of populism.