Israel Rojas Fiel, lawyer, and Yoel Martínez Rodríguez, student on a musical career, formed the duo. In November 1999 they made their debut with the song Intimidad. As a result, the Association "Hermanos Saíz" in Guantánamo invited the duo to join them.
In 2001 they moved to Havana to record their first album, Déjame entrar (Let me get in in Spanish language). There they joined with the agency Musicuba, of the label EGREM.
The music of Buena Fe has a unique sound an excellent compositions. The trova influences are present in all their lyrics, which contain thoughts about the contemporary life, with contemporary sonority, allowing arrangements that makes each song fit in many Cuban genres, with influences from pop and rock.
Although the experts include them in the pop genre, according to Israel they make fusion music based in the trova style; and, while having pop tendencies, they use other styles and influences as well, which allows them to present more ellaborate ideas[4]. Also according to Israel, although they don't claim to be a pop band[2], they are not concerned with being classified as such, but however he thinks that they do more than pop music.
According to Yoel, they make a fusion using pop music and trova, besides playing with other styles to keep the texts flowing. Also according to Yoel, some say that Buena Fe makes trova if playing with the guitar alone; and makes Cuban pop rock if playing with the band; and this might be true, except for the fact that they also experiment a lot.
They try to avoid categories; trying to make prevail the poetry and the venturous verse; trying to wrap it with pop rock sonorities, but with a direct link to what used to be the intelligent songs that was made from the 60s to the 80s in Cuba.
Dos emigrantes
Buena Fe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
fieles a su espíritu se enrolan a viajar;
pero ya esta vez, todo es al revés,
vienen de rodar y recorrer el mundo.
Dos semejantes emigrantes,
que se fueron en la balsa o por el aire
o como polizón,
cruzando el desierto
Pero ahora el tiempo es de resurrección.
Oliendo a progreso
vienen de regreso.
Dime, ¿cuál has visto tú?
Dime, ¿cuál has visto tú?
De los que han quedado atrapados en estos versos.
Uno de los dos
vendrá con un acento,
como si no hubiera nacido aquí dentro.
Uno de los dos,
con el cuello dorado
para que vean lo bien que ha estado.
Otro, más discreto, con delicadeza,
sabrá el respeto que arde en la pobreza.
Y verá gigante en todo aquel que se quedó
cuando una daga le recuerde
por qué fue que se marchó.
Cuando una mierda le recuerde
por qué fue que se marchó.
Uno de los dos,
de familiar divino
cual dueño de la lámpara de Aladino.
Uno de los dos repartirá promesas
que acaban donde mismo empiezan.
Y entre explicaciones de trucos y hechizos
el otro deslustrando al Paraíso.
Dejando preguntas siempre peligrosas:
Que ¿cuándo coño va a ser que cambiarán las cosas?
Que ¿cuándo coño va a ser que cambiarán las cosas?
Uno de los dos,
comprando sexo fresco
a quien le engañe más en menos tiempo.
Uno de los dos, estrenará la gracia
de ser especialista en democracia.
Uno de los dos, pidiendo de amistades,
como si no hubieran pasado las edades.
Uno de los dos vendrá como vocero:
No cambies el corazón por el ropero.
The song "Dos emigrantes" by Buena Fe presents a powerful commentary on the experience of two immigrants returning home after years away from their home country. The lyrics paint a picture of two individuals who have traveled far and wide in search of progress and prosperity, but upon returning find themselves confronted not only with the challenges of readjusting to their home culture but also with the memory of those who were left behind.
The song speaks to the complexities of the immigrant experience, both in terms of the emotional toll it takes on those who choose to leave their homes and the often-difficult process of trying to reintegrate into a society that has evolved in their absence. The first verse in particular highlights the contrast between the optimism that inspires many individuals to migrate and the realities of the return journey: "Dos semejantes emigrantes, que se fueron en la balsa o por el aire o como polizón, cruzando el desierto rumbo hacia lo incierto. Pero ahora el tiempo es de resurrección."
The third verse is particularly powerful, as it juxtaposes the experiences of the two immigrants in terms of how they seek to establish themselves in their home country. One individual is portrayed as being more flashy, with a "cuello dorado" (golden neck) meant to show off his success, while the other is portrayed as more humble and discreet. Yet both are faced with the challenge of trying to carve out a new identity for themselves in an environment that may no longer feel like home.
Overall, "Dos emigrantes" is a powerful commentary on the immigrant experience, one that highlights the emotional toll that leaving one's home can take and the challenges of trying to reintegrate into a society that may no longer feel familiar. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that many individuals make in search of a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dos semejantes emigrantes, fieles a su espíritu se enrolan a viajar;
Two similar emigrants, faithful to their spirit, embark on a journey;
pero ya esta vez, todo es al revés, vienen de rodar y recorrer el mundo.
But this time, everything is backwards, they come from traveling and exploring the world.
que se fueron en la balsa o por el aire o como polizón, cruzando el desierto rumbo hacia lo incierto.
Who left on a raft, or by air, or as a stowaway, crossing the desert towards uncertainty.
Pero ahora el tiempo es de resurrección. Oliendo a progreso vienen de regreso.
But now is the time for resurrection. They come back, smelling of progress.
Dime, ¿cuál has visto tú? De los que han quedado atrapados en estos versos.
Tell me, what have you seen? Of those who have been trapped in these verses.
Uno de los dos vendrá con un acento, como si no hubiera nacido aquí dentro.
One of the two will come with an accent, as if they were not born here.
Uno de los dos, con el cuello dorado para que vean lo bien que ha estado.
One of the two, with a golden neck so that they can see how well they have been.
Otro, más discreto, con delicadeza, sabrá el respeto que arde en la pobreza.
The other, more discreet, with delicacy, will know the respect that burns in poverty.
Y verá gigante en todo aquel que se quedó cuando una daga le recuerde por qué fue que se marchó.
And he will see a giant in everyone who stayed, when a dagger reminds him why he left.
Cuando una mierda le recuerde por qué fue que se marchó.
When a shitty thing reminds him why he left.
Uno de los dos, de familiar divino cual dueño de la lámpara de Aladino.
One of the two, with divine family like the owner of Aladdin's lamp.
Uno de los dos repartirá promesas que acaban donde mismo empiezan.
One of the two will distribute promises that end where they begin.
Y entre explicaciones de trucos y hechizos el otro deslustrando al Paraíso.
And between explanations of tricks and spells, the other tarnishes Paradise.
Dejando preguntas siempre peligrosas: Que ¿cuándo coño va a ser que cambiarán las cosas?
Leaving always dangerous questions: When the hell are things going to change?
Uno de los dos, comprando sexo fresco a quien le engañe más en menos tiempo.
One of the two, buying fresh sex from whoever deceives him the most in the shortest time.
Uno de los dos, estrenará la gracia de ser especialista en democracia.
One of the two, will have the grace of being a specialist in democracy.
Uno de los dos, pidiendo de amistades, como si no hubieran pasado las edades.
One of the two, asking for friendships, as if the ages had not passed.
Uno de los dos vendrá como vocero: No cambies el corazón por el ropero.
One of the two will come as a spokesperson: Do not change your heart for the closet.
Contributed by Parker F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.