Search

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Sociedad is the property of Centro de Estudios sobre Ciencia, Desarrollo y Educacion Superior and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cuba Rebelión: UnderBround Music in Havana (2008) is billed as a "documentary about the musical underground of Cuba, and their struggle against the present regime." The trailer describes "an underground scene of young musicians who, despite their creative suppression and censorship, have the courage to make a statement." This article questions this characterization of contemporary underground music in Havana, analyzing the relationship between Cuban underground musicians and the state, with a focus on hip hop, rock. and reggaetón. It sheds light on media censorship, but also illustrates opportunities provided to underground musicians by state cultural institutions and digital technology. Censorship is an important trope, but in reality most musicians are free to record, distribute, and perform their music. It is arguably in the underground music economy that greater contestation lies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]