Afro (genre)

Afro is a genre of Cuban popular music with African themes which gained prominence during the afrocubanismo movement in the early 20th century. It originated in the late 19th century Cuban blackface

Influence#

According to George Torres, “the infectious rhythm of the Afro was used by American artists” such as Duke Ellington and Chuck Berry (in his song “Havana Moon”).

Notable examples#

The following afro compositions are often cited as the most representative of the genre. *“Babalú” (Margarita Lecuona) *“Tabú” (Margarita Lecuona) *“Bruca maniguá” (Arsenio Rodríguez) *“Drume negrita” (Ernesto Grenet) *“Drumi mobila” (Bola de Nieve) *“Ogguere” (Gilberto Valdés) *“Lacho” (Facundo Rivero) *“La culebra” (Obdulio Morales) *“Mata siguaraya” (Tío Tom) *“Rinkinkalla” (Juan Bruno Tarraza)

Genre family: Cuban styles of music