In 1956, Valentin moved with his family to New York City where he attended George Washington High School and continued to take music lessons. In 1958, he went to play for Joe Quijano but, shortly after he joined Willie Rosario, who also came from his same neighborhood and played in his band.[2]
[edit] Musical career
In 1963, Valentin joined Tito Rodriguez (after not being hired by Tito in a recording session because of his age, he was given a chance and was added to his regular band) and traveled twice with Tito's orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and at times for Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Willie Rosario, and Ray Barretto. In 1965, he formed his own band and was signed by the Fania Record Label. He recorded "El Mensajero" (The Mensenger) and "Young Man With a Horn". He held his first concert in Puerto Rico during that period of time.[2]
[edit] Recordings
External audio
You may listen to Bobby Valentín's "El Caiman" here.
While
Naci Moreno
Bobby Valentín Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
por mi color soy muy fácil de entender
cantando voy haciendo al mundo feliz
yo soy candela palo y piedra hasta morir,
Nací moreno porque así tenía que ser
y en mi cantar yo voy a explicar por qué
Yo nací y mi madre fue la rumba
Fui bautizado con tres toques de Conga
en un manantial de sabor.
Moreno soy porque naci de la rumba
y sabor yo lo herede del guauancó.
El día que me bautizaron yo no se ni quién lo hizo
yo se que fue en el paraíso y la salsa me dejaron
El sabor, el sabor,
Adán y Eva allá después de la manzana
se chuparon un limón
Pero yo vuelvo y te digo
que aunque Dios no me dio belleza
me dio bastante sabor
me pinto de tres colores
y me dio tremenda cabeza
para cantar guaguancó
El día que nací yo
canto tres veces el gallo
y yo no se si fue por mi careta
por lo que fue que la gente
dijo señores nació un caballo
Moreno, moreno, moreno, moreno
Moreno, moreno, moreno, moreno
Moreno, moreno la gente me dice
y dice que el negro está hecho de pelo
más veo mucha bemba y muchas narices
Yo nunca voy a la iglesia
yo no conozco ni al cura
pero me siento muy orgulloso
con estas cuatro manos de pintura
Moreno soy, moreno soy, moreno soy
y orgulloso siempre voy.
The lyrics of Bobby Valentin's song "Naci Moreno" celebrate the singer's identity and heritage as a black Puerto Rican. He proudly declares that he was born "moreno" (dark-skinned) and that this is an integral part of who he is. He explains that his singing brings happiness to the world and that he will continue to do so until the day he dies. Furthermore, he identifies with the music and rhythms of his ancestors - his mother was "rumba" and his father was "guaguancó" - and he was baptized with "three touches of Conga."
The song highlights the importance of identity and culture, and celebrates the richness and diversity of Puerto Rican music. The singer is proud of his heritage and sees himself as a representative of his people. He uses humor and wit to convey his message, and the catchy melody and rhythm of the song make it a popular dance tune.
Overall, "Naci Moreno" is an uplifting and empowering song that celebrates the beauty of blackness and the importance of cultural heritage. It is a tribute to the musical traditions of Puerto Rico and an affirmation of the singer's place within that legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Nací moreno porque así tenía que ser
I was born with this skin color and it's just how it's supposed to be.
Por mi color soy muy fácil de entender
My skin color tells people who I am and what I stand for.
Cantando voy haciendo al mundo feliz
Through my music, I bring joy to people's lives.
Yo soy candela, palo y piedra hasta morir
I am passion, strength, and perseverance in everything I do.
En mi cantar yo voy a explicar por qué
Through my singing, I will tell you why I am the way I am.
Yo nací y mi madre fue la rumba
I was born into the rhythm and energy of Afro-Caribbean music.
Y a mi padre lo apodaban guaguancó
My father was known for his mastery of the Afro-Cuban dance style, guaguancó.
Fui bautizado con tres toques de Conga
My baptism was marked by the sounds of Conga drums.
Moreno soy porque nací de la rumba
My skin color is a result of being born into the rich culture of Afro-Caribbean music.
Y sabor yo lo heredé del guaguancó
My sense of style and rhythm come from my father's passion for guaguancó.
El día que me bautizaron yo no sé ni quién lo hizo
On the day of my baptism, I was lost in the joy of the moment and couldn't remember who did the ceremony.
Yo sé que fue en el paraíso y la salsa me dejaron
But I know that it happened in a place of pure bliss and happiness, and it left me with a lifelong love for salsa music.
Adán y Eva allá después de la manzana se chuparon un limón
Even Adam and Eve, after their fall from paradise, were left with a sour taste in their mouths.
Pero yo vuelvo y te digo que aunque Dios no me dio belleza
But I come back to say that even though I may not have conventional beauty,
Me dio bastante sabor
God gave me enough flavor and personality to make up for it.
Me pinto de tres colores y me dio tremenda cabeza para cantar guaguancó
I may have been born with darker skin, but I have also been blessed with the natural talent and skill to sing guaguancó.
El día que nací yo canto tres veces el gallo
On the day of my birth, the rooster crowed three times to herald the arrival of a new talent.
Y yo no sé si fue por mi careta por lo que fue que la gente dijo señores nació un caballo
I don't know if it was my unique features that caught their attention, but people referred to me as a horse, meaning I was strong and full of energy.
Moreno, moreno, moreno, moreno. Moreno, moreno, moreno, moreno.
My skin color is a defining part of who I am and how people see me.
Moreno, moreno. La gente me dice y dice que el negro está hecho de pelo
People may call me 'Moreno' because of my dark skin, but they also often stereotype black people by saying that they are only hair and no substance.
Más veo mucha bemba y muchas narices
But I see many beautiful, distinctive features in black people, such as full lips and prominent noses.
Yo nunca voy a la iglesia, yo no conozco ni al cura
I may not be religious or have traditional beliefs, but
Pero me siento muy orgulloso con estas cuatro manos de pintura
I am still proud of who I am and the natural gifts and talents God has given me.
Moreno soy, moreno soy, moreno soy, y orgulloso siempre voy
I am happy and proud to be who I am, and I will always celebrate and represent my culture and heritage.
Contributed by Michael S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra