Among the millions of black slaves who were forcibly brought to America to work, many rebelled and escaped their captors, becoming fugitives who lived a life of freedom in the isolated corners of the cities, where they built shelters called “palenques” or “palenques”. ‘quilombos’. These courageous rebels began to be nicknamed “the maroons”, and this is where the stage name of the protagonist of tonight’s concert at the Teatro Eslava (8:30 p.m., tickets from 35 euros) comes from: Cimafunk.
Born in Pinar del Río (Cuba) in 1989, Erik Alejandro Rodríguez studied medicine but, along the way, became a musical force shaping the island’s sonic future. In an authentic global cultural phenomenon that could also land this Friday in Spain with a Latin Grammy under the arm. And the Cuban artist flew to Miami to attend the awards ceremony – where he is nominated for best recording of the year for “Catalina” – and immediately took another plane to go to Madrid and performing at the Teatro Eslava.
With La Tribu, his nine-member group, Cimafunk electrified audiences at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Lollapalooza Chile, was the first Cuban artist to play at Coachella and won the adoration of musical icons like Argentina’s Fito Páez. , who hailed him as “one of the lights of the continent’s future”, the godfather of funk George Clintonwho collaborated on his albums and calls him “the next one”, or Chucho Valdés, who credits him with mixing “masterfully and organically the Afro-Cuban with the Afro-American, making it a new school”. which until now did not exist.” heard.”
What expectations do you have for this year’s Grammys?
Well, the truth is that these were unexpected nominations, the album had just been released. The other nominees are enormous in stature. I’m not going to deny that winning a Latin Grammy, or winning the International Grammy, would be a dream come true, but already being nominated is a great satisfaction. I just released my third album, so as they say, I’m only at the beginning of my career.
If he wins, he will party in Madrid twenty-four hours later. So much hustle and bustle is going to be physically challenging, right? What will people find at your concert?
Madrid is like my second home. I’ve been imagining this Friday’s concert for a long time. There will be surprises in the staging and new songs in the repertoire, and it will be an unforgettable evening full of emotion. We’re in good shape to go from the Grammy red carpet to the Eslava Theater stage.
Do you have musician friends in Spain?
Yes, I have many, from Alejandro Sanz to O’Funkillo, a group that inspired me a lot at the start of my career, including all the Latin artists who live in Madrid.
What do medicine and music have in common as disciplines?
Well, they have this healing effect, which makes you feel good, which takes away your sorrows, which makes you revive. I started studying medicine and later realized I could do more for people with my music.
I think you have many anecdotes about your tours in Japan, can you tell us the most surprising one?
It’s hard to say one now. It’s a very different country, but when it comes to reacting to our music, there’s not much difference from others.
What are your plans for 2025?
Keep playing all over the world, spreading my music and making people happy.
