Mix(ed)tape

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 🇵🇷 🇨🇴

  1. Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (English)

    29/10/2025

    Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (English)

    Send us a text 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

    55 min
  2. Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (Español)

    29/10/2025

    Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (Español)

    Send us a text ¡Hola mi gente del Mix(ed)tape Podcast! Hoy estaremos escuchando la canción  Bruca Maniguá, interpretada aquí por Ibrahim Ferrer con Buena Vista Social Club. En Bruca Maniguá, el compositor cubano Arsenio Rodríguez escribe sobre la necesidad existencial de un hombre negro por su libertad. Contextualizaremos la canción con la ayuda de dos invitados increíbles: Mel Semé, el artista que interpreta a Ibrahim Ferrer en el musical Buena Vista Social Club de Broadway, y el profesor  David García, quien ha hecho extensa investigación sobre Arsenio.  En Bruca Maniguá Arsenio usa astutamente esa práctica común de estereotipar a los personajes negros para cambiar la narrativa y, en cambio, presentar un personaje negro dignificado, orgulloso de sus raíces ancestrales, consciente de su explotación, y quien demanda su libertad. Musicalmente, la canción es un ejemplo característico de los afro-cubanos de Arsenio, con una sección inicial en ritmo tango-congo seguida del montuno, el cual fue creado por Arsenio. ¿Estábamos escuchando?    Encuentra todos los episodios de la serie aquí. Para más información sobre nuestras fuentes échale un vistazo a nuestro sitio web aquí y a nuestro canal de Youtube aquí. Contáctanos en: themixedtapepodcast@gmail.com Si te gustó la música que utilizamos, encuéntrala en nuestros playlists aquí. Host/Director: Andrés Hincapié, PhD Productor/Editor de Audio: Andrés Hincapié, PhD Traducción: Andrés Hincapié, PhD Voice-over: Antonio Feliz

    58 min

About

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 🇵🇷 🇨🇴