Daymé Arocena: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

May 12, 2016 by FELIX CONTRERAS
As the U.S. and Cuba normalize relations politically, the musical effects of the thaw are already being felt. Singer Daymé Arocena invokes the orishas as she and bandmates Rafael Aldama and Jorge Luis Lagarza Perez set out to draw connections between the music of the two countries. Arocena's voice is a deft combination of Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.
As you'll see in the video, Arocena's performances are fueled by her surprisingly mature songwriting (she's only 24), as well as an irrepressible personality that projects warmth and fun, not to mention a million-watt smile. The level of musicianship on display here provides an extraordinary window into the talent waiting to be discovered in Cuba. It's fun to imagine what other joys await.
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SET LIST:
"Madres"
"Crystal"
"El Ruso"
CREDITS:
Producers: Felix Contreras, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: Brandon Chew/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/pod...

[@lf1496]

I'm Cuban/ Puerto Rican from the Bronx who goes to Cuba every year so my kids can understand REAL Cuban cultura. This is the REAL face and culture of my island. You would never know that if you watched white washed American movies who make Cuba seem like Madrid. We are Caribbean people an Afro Latino island and people. Gracias hermana para la musica de los santos y Maferfun mi madre Yemaya y Yalorde Ochun, Ache👆🏾🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺

[@kuba2ve]

There's more to Cuban culture, it is PART of the Cuban culture, but there is more... As a Cuban who is not of African origin, I reject the idea that whenever the word CUBA comes to mind, it has always to be a black person singing to the Orishas. I don't have anything against this part of the Cuban culture, but there is more, there is more... Benny More is as real as this lady. Carlos Varela is as real as this lady. Keep looking, there is more. When you say this is the REAL culture of my island, that is an overstatement.

[@rollotomasi1873]

Cuba - La universidad de la musica.

[@mimid.8346]

@@kuba2ve "I reject the idea that whenever the word CUBA comes to mind, it has always to be a black person singing to the Orishas", it should be that way though. Getting tired of those who came to hijack the island and til this day do culture appropriation to eventually claim after generations that they are at the source of this or that. Look at what happened to Native Americans, they've been decimated, and in a few decades who will remember them and their culture? "the real culture" means the source of the culture (Africa, whether one likes it or not), and the "more to it" you're talking about refers to what has been brought afterward by foreigners

[@kuba2ve]

@@mimid.8346 Oh, wait, I missed the last part. Are you really saying that the "more to it" is just imported stuff brought by foreigners? WOW! Please learn a little more about Cuban culture before saying something like that. Was mambo imported by foreigners? What about Son Cubano, Guaracha, Danzón, Clave? What about people like Felix Varela? Was Jose Marti imported? What about Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino? What about painters like Rene Portocarrero, Wilfredo Lam, many many others. But no, the world just wants to wipe off everything that is NOT black and singing to the Orishas as NOT part of the "Real cuban culture"... Well, guess what, I don't CARE AT ALL about Afro Cuban culture. I don't feel identified with it, I don't like it, I find it repulsive because it is praising false Gods, and even if I say that, I consider myself 100% Cuban. I have my right to say that. Whoever feels offended, has an issue with freedom of expression.

[@mimid.8346]

@@kuba2ve funny you're talking about offense when you're the one who felt offended by a comment of a lady willing to show the "real Cuba" to her kids. You can say you don't identify to something without denying it and check history, real history because you've been clearly brainwashed. It shows through your comment as, just to mention Jose Marti, he was the fruit of an importation with Spanish origins. You can get mad but the truth of the matter is that as long as you're part of the appropriation culture trending, you'll have a bias view on "real Cuba". You can consider yourself 100% real Cuban same as a Japanese can identify 100% real Ethiopian without getting mad at the origins of the Ethiopian culture. You have the right to say what you say & the same applies to me so I've said what I've said. Respectfully.

[@emmemm699]

her ancestors SURVIVED and THRIVED with that beauty !

[@rengading]

Hats off to Tiny Desk for bringing such wonderful musicians into my life- I'm addicted

[@vaninacuello2999]

hgg ,kyhkytnfvhgvj uf7vugm 4tdtd xydtgd 5ratz tyfdhcfgzs gyudhdcjf vjndudcj f8uf78tf8urf fu4eu7d y7ed3e7d74 r 6t6zs6x6txxr fjbvhf ujtjt9ijg3rro,gujcjvnmfffffjhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyiipppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

[@teratapia5554]

@@vaninacuello2999 Oh yeah, 100% agree! Thumbs up!

[@vaninacuello2999]

@@teratapia5554 es asi y na hay mas na

[@alexisfrancine4545]

Yes! Traditional African Spirituality getting the lime light as it moves through various cultures around the world.

[@_FiDeLCAsTrO_]

That ain't Traditional African... That's Afrocuban

[@user-vw6bk4pb4l]

Work on your reading comprehension. The African element of her Afro Cuban culture or any Afro diaspora culture whether in Jamica, Brazil or Colombia is derived from traditional African cultire and spirituality, regardless of how it has evolved. That's a fact. And this should be acknowledged and celebrated. Afro Latino and African can look at each others culture and recognise a direct and strong connection. Yet you white people can't stand the mention or recognition of Africa and its so pathetic. You want to appropriate the culture and deny the obvious African foundation.

[@frijolero6048]

@@_FiDeLCAsTrO_ She's singing in Yoruba. Pretty African to me!!!

[@mayaj291]

She is sooo freaking beautiful and talented. time to brush up on mi Spanish

[@Kevin-rq4jy]

No words can describe this. Black excellence at its finest

[@JimmyBrobeck]

Extraordinarily sophisticated and unique patterns of songwriting and vocal technique. Clearly articulated 6 string bass. Complex piano foundation without a trace of showboat. Rafael Aldama and Jorge Luis Lagarza applaud Daymé Arocena at the end with such adoring modesty, even though their musicianship is masterful. An Astounding performance.

[@danielltalley5605]

well said

[@marcomusictv3854]

I was going to write something but you said it all, thank you so very much!

[@speeakfreelywithbarrington2800]

yes yes yes, beautiful!

[@borbaeborba]

Esse baixista é meio monstro 👏👏👏

[@cubananitabell8141]

Qué alma noble y bella, me ha hecho emocionar. She is gorgeous...Thanks everybody for being here listening to Daymé

[@felipebotero5203]

¡Música de alta gama! 👌👏

[@Krisoler]

Decirles músicos no expresa la magnitud de esto, para mi son magos, me asombra la naturalidad y sencillez con que manejan tal grado de sofisticación, con total elegancia y gracia, no se escuchan las costuras entre los diversos ritmos, no se escuchan forzados ni artificiales, sino naturales y gozosos, mi absoluto respeto y admiración!

[@flordelmar2438]

Felicidades Daymé!!! Una cubana por aquí!!! , te recuerdo cuando eras pequeña que cantabas la canción "let it be" en el coro... Aaah como me gustaba oírte !!! Mucho éxito para tí!!!

[@axelgrz]

Wow she exudes joy and beingness.

[@mrrc3963]

Giving that Celia Cruz/Angelique Kidjo vibe.

[@ItsDigitalGameBreak]

aint lying!!!

[@Krisoler]

This is not just art, this is sacred art, this is a religious pray talking to divinity.

[@waynethompson5724]

'El Ruso'..... what a journey of music in itself! Just pure beauty

[@danielltalley5605]

to me this woman epitomizes the essence of beauty inspiration art and creativity when I look at her and hear her I am uplifted My Soul and Spirit dance and sing along with her her beautiful smile lights up my mind I want to meet her in person she looks like the type of woman that spreads love and joy to one and all

[@Jocacunga]

I can feel the African root on her songs. Nice one

[@evanruiz8053]

aaaaaaaaand tears of joy. Music makes me cry weekly. So beautiful and joyous, an expression of life!

[@vsml333]

💜💜💜

[@MrLustor]

I feel you...

[@sovereigneats]

If you have seen Tank and the Bangas at all, this amazing Dayme Arocena is the Cuban manifestation of Ms. Tariana Tank. The complex patterns and playful creativity is so rich and filled with spirit. This is authentic music. Tank and the Bangas & Dayme collab... NOW! Lol

[@davimattos7081]

Oxum e Iemanjá! Axé!

[@elshoao]

Saravá!

[@NananMusic]

Axé, somos um

[@LEvans-vg7sp]

Wow I thought Jazz scatting dead. So cool to see someone so young bring it back.

[@nommomuntu]

WHY DOESN'T THIS HAVE MORE VIEWS?!

[@CCColon-lv6xh]

puertorricane Yes, because she’s being slept on.

[@davidval7188]

It so classic and good people take it for granted.

[@Wednesday3665]

nommomuntu THREE YRS AND IM ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS

[@kuba2ve]

Because not everyone likes this music. Not to mention that there is a strong religious component, and people with other beliefs such as Christianity have no affinity for this.

[@zackbowman4100]

What a beautiful performance... This is proof. The MORE America opens our boarders and out heart to the ENTIRE WORLD, the better the music (we get to hear) becomes, and the better the music becomes (that we are exposed to), the better and more open out hearts become.... America is at its BEST when we embrace all the people of the world.....

[@isaacturnercreativeideas]

When watching this one can see where Jazz got it's roots. So clear.

[@peersplayground150]

my biggest admiration for all three of them...odd meters in perfection - they just feel it

[@beanfootage]

Such complex rhythms, such a wonderful voice, stunning performance.

[@vaninacuello2999]

jbti yjh gugng gujg jgjh nij ljl jkjmb jjjh jijj ihmihkgi jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjoooooooooooooooooooooooooottttttttttttttttttttttt77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777

[@MsTee-eg8qi]

She is serving me Celia Cruz, honey! Yesssss!!! I love her.

[@Mamuschkita]

Que mujer maravillosa!!!! Y los músicos son increíbles! Daymé, tu eres una reina! Como cantas!!! Saludos desde Austria!

[@IMLovelydove23]

I love her spirit she is beautiful. ★♡♥

[@spaskolev6932]

The bass guitar player is great :) playing so smooth - thumb up!

[@natalybetancor9425]

Dayme déjame decirte q eres muy especial para mí desde q te descubrí hace unos dias,me trasmites un sentimiento que pocos cantantes han logrado y sé que mis egguns y santos te me han puesto en mi vida. Mucho Ashe para ti y tu grupo musical para q sigáis trasmitiendonos a todos esa energía tan Bonita q tienes con tu voz y música.

[@naturalydecadent]

3 musical geniuses together

[@logand2353]

These are some serious musicians…geniuses!!😉

[@teezytwochins4775]

yo !!!!! this is AWESOME !!!! good music like this is alchemy !!!! that bass and piano with her vocals is PERFECT !

[@melmourelle5274]

Virgencita de mi devosión! TE AMO DAYMÉ gracias por tu vozzz!

[@Eniola0ne]

You see typical Yoruba look in her, even though she have leaves all her life in Cuba, But the spirit of Yoruba is still in her. Yemoja and Osun is Yoruba deities of Ocean. Yoruba believes in Mother Earth and forces of nature, Is balance between human existent and nature.

[@BluesBrogio]

if I'm not mistaken Osun is the deity of the waterfalls, rivers and rain

[@AdriAna-wy4mh]

@@BluesBrogio It is, in Cuba. But she's not wrong either. It's a little different in Africa, which is the source of all this. When the orishas came over, they had to adapt, just like the believers they were following (there's a beautiful pataki about how Oshún, with the help of her sister Yemayá, crossed the ocean going after her sons taken into slavery). Lots of things got mixed up and simplified. That is why Santería is considered an Afro-CUBAN religion and not an African religion.

[@asabifatosin1150]

Eniola Apata She does have look between Yoruba and Asante(of Ghana). In Yoruba orisa Yemoja and Oshun are river deities,the Ogún River and Oshun River respectively. In the syncretized form of òrìsà that developed in Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico.., Yemoja became associated with oceans (the realm of Olokun in Yorubaland/Nigeria/Benin) and Oshun became known as the only river orisa, even though there are a number of them. Anyway, Lukumi/Santeria is considered an African syncretic religion with its very obvious roots in the religion/culture of the Yorùbá/Benin people. Those who combine it with the Palo Mayombe religion are getting that from the religion/cultures of the Congo area. Africa is a huge continent with many cultures/religions that are basically structured hierarchically the same, that is belief in an over-arching supreme (in Yorùbá called Olodumare), reverence for the Ancestors (Egúngún/Egún) and the higher beings created by Olodumare called òrìsà/orisha who interact/communicate with humans and occasionally incarnate among us. The “New World” Lukumi commonly call the òrìsà “saints” (hence Santeria and the appellation “Santo” but saints (human beings given higher spiritual status by a body of humans who officiate in the Catholic churches (Roman, Greek and Russian) are NOT the same as the higher beings, Irunmole and Imales, directly created by the Supreme, Olodumare. Even though this association was made during the Transatlantic Enslaved Persons Holocaust to be able to continue worship without onslaught of the Africans by the European Christians, Catholic saints ARE NOT African/Yoruba deities. In fact the saints are not deities at all. There is more to it, but this is basic. The main system of communication between the higher beings and humans is through the divination system known as Ifa, which is the province of the orisa of divination who is named Orunmila. In Benin, it is called Afa. There are a few other systems of divination also. Though there are practitioners of Santeria/Lukumi who would prefer to disconnect from their religious practice and beliefs from its Yoruba/Dahomey (Benin) roots and foundation (because of its intertwining with Christian denomination of Catholicism, its parentage and foundation will always be the Yorùbá culture. To deny, reject and divorce would be like the practice of the Roman Catholic denomination denying its foundation in Christianity_ludicrous.

[@asabifatosin1150]

Bruno Brogio Oshun is ONE of the river orisa. There are also Yemoja (syncretic Yemaya), Oya (Niger River, though Niger is not the Yoruba name for that river), Erinle (syncretic Inle) and more.

[@asabifatosin1150]

Adri Ana Santeria, now more commonly known as Lucumi/Lukumi (a Yorùbá word, there is no letter “c” in Yoruba; the sound is delineated by a “k”; nor is there a “ch” sound but rather an “sh” sound_hence Oshun, not Ochun, Shango, not Chango. The ch application came more from “Indian” dialects rather than Spanish.

[@jputterman26]

i fell in love the first time I saw Dayme live. This only reminds me how deeply she gets to me.

[@jieuneekim]

10:20 that moment my life stopped for awhile.... Sing it woman!

[@lulumariethk7385]

Maferefun Yemaya y mi madre Oshun Ori Yeye O! Dayme y su banda gracias para este! Ashé pa ti 💕

[@antoniobrown3219]

Caught a segment on this Sister on NPR and immediately tan to my Shazam app! I'm so glad it brought me here! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@gabo.4355]

the way she held that note!!!!

[@evadoraburns8980]

Her voice is mesmerising and profound

[@musingsandmusic]

I proclaim my ignorance: what a great find....a gem! Gracias.

[@marlonevasquez3613]

Damnnnn that bass😮🙌🙌🙌👏👏

[@pichaliiiin]

Just saw her here in Santiago, Chile. Man, what a voice, loved her :D

[@vexpired7559]

This is pure magic & beauty rolled into one. Life starts here !

[@fernando123436]

Que voz, las raíces africanas y Cuba, la hermana Cuba. Desde Patagonia haciéndonos vibrar .

[@empress8290]

I feel her in my soul! Only three people performing...POWERFUL!

[@beatrizmediacejaramirez5260]

Son excelentes musicos y Dayme una exelente compositora , Cantante y musico mil bendiciones ❤️

[@1991-present]

Beautiful skin woman. Beautiful woman!

[@rashidahwiley2095]

Her voice is amazing!

[@emmasankofa7597]

Tiny Desk has truly been bringing some great music for us to discover. I'm very grateful for this performance. I loved #Yemaya

[@GustavoLima-wo8hz]

Que maravilla. Oir alguien tan maravillosa voz. Dios te bendiga

[@PiscesChick222]

This tiny desk reminds me of the parrandas en el barrio! Llenos de felicidad y amor y gratitud, even in times like this. This music came to me at a crucial time. Gracias por cantar con tanto sentimiento y sansón de vida!

[@jcross52583]

Dude just spazzed on the bass.

[@alfonshomac]

She's her own thing!. 24 too.

[@sidlove5798]

One of the greatest realest emotional spiritual live performances of all time.. vocally she is magnificent ..bless this beautiful Queen and her family and the world

[@warvandal3443]

Sublime - Fine as wine!

[@saphprimera]

Oshun and the other Gods and Goddesses lives through this Queen Dayme 👸🏾🖤🖤🖤

[@PakoPortaloBueno]

Amazing music, amazing rythims and amazing smile!! Love it!

[@thekaerichtexas]

i love her voice and her laugh, omg dayme!!!!!!

[@cjspinho]

absolutamente, uma Deusa ! really a Goddess !

[@alberto-martino]

WOW. That's so impressive.

[@beepot2764]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@Angelazulito]

Acabo de descubrir esta voz y agradezco el modo random de mi youtube! Hermosa y poderosa.

[@SelvasNegras]

me quiero casar con ese pianista DIOSAAAAAA MIOOOOOOOO que chulooooooo .... Dayme exquisita

[@afab1513]

Beautiful n I dont understand a word she sang

[@borolad44]

Wow how amaze 😍😍😍

[@chappahx]

oh my! love the voice and passion!

[@odalysquintero8222]

ORGULLO PARA CUBA, BIEN POR TI MUCHACHA !! ACHE Y MUCHAS BENDICIONES

[@danitzarodriguez80]

Bendiciones y felicitaciones desde Massachusetts, te vi en Viva la tarde en Wapa America.

[@ArjunaJoshua1]

The thaw is an instrument of pain (the good kind) to any mind, let alone one on pyschedelics! That was great, thank you Daymé Arocena & NPR Music!

[@kireniaballard1946]

Que grande eres mi negra hermosa gracias ❤❤ por tan hermoso arte🇨🇺

[@mayt714]

This is beautiful, thank you

[@lowlow940]

Grandeeeee🙌🏻❤️🇨🇺

[@bernardolorea6745]

excelente voz y excelente ensamble

[@AnnyMendoza22]

Estoy enamorada de su voz!

[@Swanofdreamers]

She is amazing!!!

[@TheBaba1920]

The whole thing is just outta this world. Brilliant! I loved it all.

[@vincentcateigne8912]

Pure!!!

[@tattootiff274]

I really enjoyed this...she has great energy and what a delivery!

[@primolandia]

...and joy!!! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for sharing. They are amazing!

[@sixpili]

Wow ! Se vive y se siente el sabor y amor de Cuba , la Celia del 2021 !!! Una Nueva Grande de la Música , Muchas Cosas Buenas !!!

[@alastensas]

UNA MARAVILLA DE CANTANTE Y DE MUJER CUBANA!

[@MsNini-sw2jn]

Absolutely Beautiful!!

[@juanadriangaribayjuarez7603]

KZbin should put a button "I love" as FB Mami Wata be with you..

[@samferguson9171]

bass player is too damn sick.

[@madcod2308]

sam ferguson Rafa.....

[@luistamargo3736]

No need to brush up on your Spanish. She is singing mostly in Yoruba.

[@saudementalestiva208]

Almost pornoghraphic!!!

[@marsalamichelangelo9875]

Stupenda , meravigliosa .......

[@manuelpolanco4528]

hay que quitarse el sombrero ; los tres estan muy bien preparados congratulations

[@raulenriquemedinaorama5549]

Beautiful. Cuban pride!!

[@funkisoul7093]

She’ll be in Philly today

[@solearredondo]

Me encanta la canción "Drama".Está mujer es 🔥 🔥

[@KARIBIKunderwater]

Daymeee! es una tremenda Artista!

[@TheEnock10]

BEAUTIFUL ❤️

[@emarkjacobs]

Black will always be magic keep rising Daymé Arocena

[@alexrutasiete]

one of the best concerts here

[@ricardogarciaduque7712]

Hermosa Daymé¡ Que energía¡ Gracias.

[@user-ss9qj7mn6i]

Viva la Cuba!