Mix(ed)tape
We are two Afro-Latin PhDs taking an anti-racist approach to center the contribution of Black people and culture across Latin America, the Caribbean and their diasporas through dance and music.
Our work aims to:
- educate consumers of Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean culture on its Black roots
- highlight the work of Black artists, dancers, and scholars across the Americas
- develop a practice of anti-racism in the Afro-Latin dance scene 🇵🇷 🇨🇴
Mix(ed)tape
Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (English)
Hola Mix(ed)tape listeners! Today we'll be listening to Bruca Maniguá, interpreted by Ibrahim Ferrer with Buena Vista Social Club. In Bruca Maniguá, Cuban composer Arsenio Rodríguez writes about the existential need of a black man for his freedom. We’ll contextualize the song with the help of two incredible guests: Mel Semé, the artist who interprets Ibrahim Ferrer in the Buena Vista Social Club musical on Broadway, and professor David García, who has done extensive research on Arsenio.
In Bruca Maniguá, Arsenio brilliantly uses the common practice of stereotyping black characters to flip the script and, instead, present a dignified black character proud of his ancestry, aware of his exploitation, and who demands his freedom. Musically, the song is characteristic of Arsenio’s afro-cubanos, with an initial tango-congo section followed by a montuno, which Arsenio is the creator of.
Were we listening?
We hope this track helps to add value to your listening and awareness in your dancing!
Find all of our Were You Listening? episodes here.
For more info and resources check our website here and our YouTube channel here.
Contact us at: themixedtapepodcast@gmail.com
If you like the music we use check our playlists here.
Host/Director: Andrés Hincapié, PhD
Producer/Sound Editor: Andrés Hincapié, PhD
Translation: Andrés Hincapié, PhD, Carlos Javier Félix
Voice-over: Gerald Harrison