Artists and Musicians
Music is a vital part of many people’s lives and a powerful way to express feelings, opinions and stories. Among the many genres, Afro-Cuban rap stands out as a form where artists often use music to talk about their lives, culture and the society they live in.
Here we introduce two Cuban pioneers, Yrak Sáenz and Sekou, who have been central to the Cuban hip hop scene. They work on projects together and separately, and they also join forces with El Pana and J.Allan.
Yrak Saenz
Yrak Saenz is a pioneering Cuban rapper and one of the key figures in the island’s hip-hop movement since the 1990s. As a co-founder of the group Doble Filo, he has built an artistic career shaped by the exploration of identity, society, and the realities of everyday life.
His work extends beyond music. Throughout his career, he has also developed as an audiovisual creator and event producer, expanding his artistic vision across different forms of expression and cultural creation.
Yrak Saenz has performed throughout Cuba and on international stages, collaborating with a diverse range of artists. As a solo artist, he continues to explore new sonic territories. Among his most recent projects is Andilanga, where he blends the roots of Afro-Cuban music with different expressions of alternative music, reaffirming rap as an authentic form of expression within Cuban culture.
His work brings together rhythm, identity, and storytelling to tell stories, inspire reflection, and build bridges between people and the realities they share.
J.Allen
J.Allen, the artistic name of Ernesto Carmenate del Toro, is a Cuban producer, beatmaker, sound engineer, and singer. He began his musical journey at the age of 16, studying guitar and creating his first beats.
Throughout his career, he has been a member of several music groups, built his own home studio, and worked with a variety of artists. He further developed his skills by studying Sound Engineering in Havana and is currently part of the Cuban Rap Agency as a vocalist and producer for the group Pasión Oscura.
Ida Magnus
Ida is the co-founder of Magnus Arts Productions, a collaboration she started with Yrak Saenz. They shared a dream and turned it into reality. Ida is also an artist herself, creating paintings, charcoal drawings and photographs, as well as jewelry and bags made from recycled materials.
Sekou
Sekou Messiah Umoja, born Yosmel SarrÃas Nápoles, is a Cuban rapper, audiovisual artist, and community activist. Founder of the influential rap group Anónimo Consejo in 1996, his career brings together music, spirituality, Afro identity, and sonic experimentation, with work deeply connected to the social realities of Cuba and Latin America.
His commitment to community extends to projects developed in Cuba and Venezuela, using art and culture as tools for social transformation. He is the co-founder of Color CojÃmar with Apolonia and a regular collaborator with various cultural and community initiatives.
Beyond music, Sekou works in photography, videography, and music video direction. He has also dedicated an important part of his career to documenting Cuban history and social movements through documentaries, reports, and documentary series.