- Obsession (cuban hip-hop)
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Obsesion Origin Havana, Cuba Genres Hip hop Years active 1996–present Contents
History
Alexey Rodriguez or “el tipo este” (that guy over there) and Magia Lopez are two members of the Cuban band Obsesion. They have been writing and playing music since 1996. Alexey and Magia set up their band just after getting married. They live and work in Regla, an industrial suburb east of Havana, Cuba. Recently the group also recruited Isnay Rodriguez or DJ El Jigue into the group. Rodriguez is originally from Santiago de Cuba but now lives in Havana.
Alexey has been a break-dancer and a fan of US hip-hop (which Cubans call “la moña”). He worked as a lathe operator and sculptor when, in 1993, he met Magia. She had spent four years performing with and Afro-Cuban dance troupe and had earned a communications degree before she too became a sculptor. Alexey and Magia shared a hip-hop dream that had little to do with waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care.
Writing, composing and producing for Obsession, Alexey has helped demonstrate hip-hop’s role as a legitimate expression of Cuban culture. Through his participation in a multidisciplinary arts project called La Fabri-K, he has provided support for up-and-coming rappers, encouraging them to interact with painters, sculptors, poets and dancers. Magia, meanwhile, has been an inspired participant in the debates that take place during each year’s Alamar Festival, advocating for women’s rights with particular eloquence.
In addition to various Cuban hip-hop compilations, Obsesion has been involved in some more surprising collaborations. They appear on jazzman Roberto Fronseca’s “Tiene Que Ver” album, as well as A ugusto Enrique”s “Cuando yo sea Grande”, both from 1998. The title of Obsesion’s first CD, which appeared in 2000, comes as less of a surprise, however: ”Un Monton de Cosas” (“A Pile of Things”) hints at the diversity of Alexey and Magia’s interests. In 2003, they embarked on a month-long tour of the United States, culminating in a historical performance at the Appolo theatre, sharing the stage with The Roots, with a fan base including Harry Belafonte, Afrika Bambaata and Mos Def.
In 2006, they attended the World Social Forum in Venezuela and performed at the Festival of Hip-Hop to Fight Against Aids. Alexey and Magia are working on a new record.
Members
- Alexey Rodriguez
- Magia Lopez
- Isnay Rodriguez (DJ El Jigue)
References
External links
Categories:- Cuban contemporary artists
- Cuban musical groups
- Cuban reggaeton artists
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