It hasn’t been so long since reggaeton player Roberto Hidalgo Ponts, Yomil, He distanced himself from politics and called for artists to be left alone; but an eternity has passed. The death of his duo colleague, El Dany, changed everything forever and now he is not only demanding justice to clear up the negligence that cost his “brother” his life, but he is taking to the streets in Havana shouting ” freedom, ”as he did on July 11 alongside thousands of protesters. Now, with his song I am from Cuba has returned to the forefront and speaks openly with 14ymedio of its commitment to democracy.
Question. He presented I am from Cuba claiming it was “the most important topic” of his career, why do you see it that way?
Answer. I think when an artist joins the just cause knowing that he can lose everything he has fought for the work surpasses all successes. It is the greatest contribution I can make to my people.
P. The video is risky, starting with the choice of the director who had already had a controversy with the institutions, and continuing with his aesthetic, which is quite unusual. How did this collaboration with Yimit Ramírez come about? Was he aware of the risks involved?
R. I started a friendship with Yimit some time ago. I saw his work and was interested in him, I am quite risky when working with talented filmmakers and he was not going to be the exception. I knew I would do something hard, knowing the importance of this topic for my life, and I just let it create and be free, but I never thought I was going to be so impressed. I am very proud of the result and its creativity, which is why I respect it so much.
“I knew I would do something hard, knowing the importance of this issue for my life, and I just let it create and be free, but I never thought I was going to be so impressed. I’m very proud of the result “
P. It has been less than a week since the song and video saw the light and it has already received attacks and threats from the official press and cultural institutions. Was it expected? Do you have supports in your environment?
R. Of course, I knew this was going to happen seeing how they have acted with other artists who have manifested along the same lines. I knew they were going to threaten, offend and slander me, this is not new to anyone. But on the part of my team, they know how I’ve been thinking for a long time, so that didn’t take them by surprise either; and as for the audience I am more than satisfied with the reaction and support. I am very happy because I know that as I was at zero hour with my people, my people will never leave me alone or allow any kind of injustice to be done to me. That’s what calms me down the most, because if I’m not sure another rooster would sing.
P. Other artists who have openly assumed their critical vision of the government are imprisoned today, such as Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castell and Hamlet Lavastida. Are you afraid of being in a situation like this?
R. I think I have not crossed any limits, as I am an artist and I have the right to be free in my works. Ever since I decided to risk everything, I am psychologically prepared for the worst, but I think the Government is dirty for some things and very smart for others. If something like this happens, they know that there is a youth that follows me and is able to do anything for their favorite artists and the proof of that was the loss of my brother Dany, when the village, organically without any call, went out to fire in different provinces and cities around the world. Something like this had never happened in the country and I think the Government realized the high level of convocation it had in Cuban society Yomil and El Dany, so I don’t think they will make aberrant decisions that will make their situation worse. There could be another July 11, 12, 13, 14 and they know it. So I think they will leave things like that.
“The government is dirty for some things and very smart for others. If something like this happens, they know there is a youth that follows me and is able to do anything for their favorite artists.”
P. Speaking of Damage, at one point in the song it refers to him and the need for justice to be done, what do you think is due to the lack of answers about what happened in the hospital that day?
R. It was medical negligence, and the treatment they gave her was a total disrespect as the measures they took with the nurse who was on this morning on duty only they know. Therefore, out of the respect and brotherhood I have with Daniel, I will always ask for justice, because if this had happened to the son of any high leader in this country believe me they will be imprisoned in Malaga and their place of food, but with my brother they became those with big eyes and that hurts and offends.
P. On July 11, he took to the streets alongside those who were protesting against the government, did he then change his view of Cuba from a political and social point of view?
A. I think my view on the social political issue in my country has changed since I started traveling and worrying about the serious problems we live in, noting that it is very difficult for the Government to accept different points of view and criticism, to go out on the streets of my Havana and see how it deteriorates more and more, to arrive in any province and see the detainee who follows in time, to see how to act of Government in the face of the thousands of problems there for their mismanagement, seeing how disconnected they are from reality, and so on. There are many things I have seen, lived and learned. When one is acquiring maturity and knowledge, one must contribute a grain of sand to try to accelerate this process of change that my country needs so much. I live here and I know that the most precious thing that human beings have is time and that Cuba is not in a position to lose it, on the contrary, it is time to recover it, because life is one.
“I live here and I know that the most precious thing that human beings have is time and that Cuba is not in a position to lose – on the contrary, it is time to recover it, because life is one”
P. Yomil and El Dany sang the theme Vital music with several Cuban artists who remain silent today in the face of the repression that took place on July 11. How do you feel about that?
R. I don’t really know, because I haven’t seen anyone make any statements against me, but I did have a meeting last Saturday with the president of the Music Institute. I was summoned at 10am to my company to explain to them the why of my song and I posed them all my reasons in a meeting that lasted over two hours. She told me that, on the part of the institution, nothing was going to happen, but that I was waiting for the response of several artists from the guild who were supposedly outraged, as they themselves are committed to socialism. I respect their stance as long as they respect mine and depending on their response they will also have mine. I don’t think they’re ready to put up with telling them a few truths (laughs), but so far they’re just speculation, so let’s wait and see.
P. What do you see when you think of “a change” for Cuba?
R. I see Cuba as a state governed by the rule of law, where the Cuban on the street is the highest authority, where there is no abuse of power, no repression or censorship to think differently, where dialogue is accepted as a way to resolve problems, because I think the first thing we have to do is change the mentality and make it an open country, not just of the so-called “revolutionaries,” who for me as revolutionaries have nothing. It must be a country for everyone and for everyone, also for those Cubans who had to leave it, many risking and losing their lives to have a better future, who had to start a life from scratch in a country alien to help their families and have a dignified life. I want my country to be one of the best in the world and I tell them with complete certainty that it is possible, as long as everything that needs to be changed is changed.
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