Doble Filo

Doble Filo
Origin	Havana, Cuba
Genres	Cubaton, Reggaeton, Latin rap
Years active	2000–present
Members
Yrak Saenz Edgaro aka Edgar Gonzales DJ Dark aka Alain Medina

Doble Filo is a Cuban hip-hop band formed in 1995 and composed of Yrak Saenz, Edgaro aka Edgar Gonzale], and more recent member DJ Dark aka Alain Medina. The band, which is often compared to Dilated Peoples and The Amorphous, won the Alamar rap Festival’s Grand Prize in 1996.

History

Doble Filo can be translated to “double-edged” in reference to blades but also the idea of metaphors. Their sound is described as experimental hip-hop with a feel-good vibe. Members rap over a backdrop that shifts from drum and bass to techno. They have been compared to Dilated Peoples, and The Amorphous. Despite their hip-hop orientation, Doble Filo’s fan base is not limited to a hip-hop audience.

Although not all members originate from the Alamar area of Havana, the epicentre of Cuban hip-hop, their presence there is significant. The group shares credit with fellow Cuban hip-hop pioneers Obsesion for starting the multidisciplinary art collective La Fabrik. They won the grand prize at the 1996 Alamar Rap Festival, after which they decided to make Alamar their headquarters. Many of their songs are composed in an Alamar building called “Laboratorio 675”.

Through its music, Doble Filo also aims to improve social conditions by encouraging listeners to find themselves. The members veer away from lyrics that advocate violence or belittle women. Their main philosophy is avoiding negativity. Their most recent album is Despierta (Wake Up), that has not been released by a record label. For their next move, members Edgaro and Saenz will be making a record called Rayones de Mi Album, and DJ Dark will also be recording an album called Luz en la Obscuridad.

In 2008 Doble Filo released their first music video shot on location in Havana, Cuba for their song "Apenas Abro Los Ojos"

Awards, Recognition

1996 : Alamar Rap Festival (grand prize)

External links

• Video interview of Doble Filo on Havana-Cultura
• http://cdbaby.com/cd/lafabrik
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrTRXTcHiI
• http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/04/01/cuba.rap/index.html
• http://www.cubaabsolutely.com/music/hip_hop.htm
• https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/anoguera/web/fest05/fab.htm
• http://www.film.com/movies/fabrik-cuban-hip-hop-factory/14721830
• http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs023.html
• http://www.pr-inside.com/cuban-hip-hop-desde-el-principio-from-the-beginning-r14731.htm
• http://hayden5media.com/music-video/apenas-abro-los-ojos