The origins of the group are in hip hop. In the mid-1990s, the three members, Haniel Gonzalez Martinez, Javier Duran Webb, and José Angel Sastre Perez, were listening to rap sounds coming from the U.S. They shortened their names to Flipper, El Doctor, and White, and they got themselves some bandanas, baseball caps and extra-baggy jeans. Their first group was called Primera Base and they scored a direct hit with their performance at the Havana Rap Festival in 1995.
The formation of Cubanito 20.02, formed by ex-members of Primera Base, was one of the first major significations of the switch from hip hop to reggaeton in Havana. Despite the lyrics from the first album's title track ("I'm a rapper first and foremost, whether you like it or not..."), their first big radio hit in Havana, Matame, features a reggaeton sound.
The switch from “underground” hip hop with Primera Base to the sensual beats of reggaeton with Cubanito 20.02 was controversial because reggae was seen by many "pure" hip hop artists as having a "retarding effect" while "eroding traditional genres". The popular hip hop group Los Aldeanos (group site) released a parody of Matame as a criticism of the burgeoning popularity of reggaeton over hip hop.
With the new reggaeton sounds influenced by Jamaican ragga, Cubanito 20.02 became more financially successful by appealing to the youth culture. Through Cuban communist government funding, Cubanito 20.02 was able to produce multiple hit albums and even go on tour in some European countries. On the other hand, government regulations can be seen in their lyrics, which do not contain the typical reggaeton blatant sexuality and emphasis on the female body and intercourse nor does the music evoke a certain politically, socially, and culturally liberating or freeing quality that is more prevalent with reggaeton from Cuba that is not sponsored by the government. For example, in their song Pideme, the song says “soy sincero cuando digo que te quiero” (I am sincere when I tell you that I love you) and “eres la flor en mi jardin” (You are the flower in my garden). Cubanito 20.02 don’t claim to tackle issues of race or violence, but rather they attempt to evoke love, happiness, and dance to their listeners.
"We wanted to do something New-York-style, something danceable, but also something Cuban," recalls Flipper. "We are a group from the barrio, from the streets. We were all friends, and we still are. We used to rap together when we were taking the bus."
Their second album, Tócame, was released in 2006.
Soy Yo
Cubanito 20.02 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Muchas cosas buenas,
Pero muchos sinsabores
Por eso éste ano vengo
Acabando en la Habana
(coro)
Soy yo, ese que esta colado en tu casa soy yo
Ese, que alborota a tu vecina soy yo
Cubanito 20.02
Soy yo, ese que esta colado en tu casa soy yo
Ese, que alborota a tu vecina soy yo
(luchando como me enseño papá)
Cubanito 20.02
Dime cuántas copias tú has vendido
Y te diré quién eres
Déjate de chismes como las mujeres
Si uso pantalones anchos o los apretados
Si tengo el pelo largo
O estoy rapado
Ponte pá tu historia o te saco fould
Qué te pasa Gil
Tú no estarás enamorado
Tú en lo tuyo y yo en lo mío
No te metas en ese lío que
Los temas de este ano los tengo escogidos
Reggaetones pá molerte
Pá que estés podrido
Pá subirme a la tarima
Pá dejarte frío
Ya te vi dejar tu estilo
Pá copiar el mío
(coro) bis
* Luchando con Saúl y Bejerano
* Trabajando pál futuro
Vengo retumbando la tarima
Pá mantener la cima
Y no voy a parar hasta que no te exprima
Así que imagina
Vengo con la rima fina
Que no desafina
Pura adrenalina
Yo, yo, yo voy a hablar
Traigo a la pandilla
Pá ponerte en tu lugar
Tú sabes que domino yo en tu mundo espiritual
Cuando subo al escenario
Tú te pones a temblar
Yo, yo, yo voy a hablar
Traigo a la pandilla
Pá ponerte en tu lugar
Tú sabes que domino yo en tu mundo espiritual
Cuando subo al escenario
Tú te pones a temblar
Tú te pones a temblar
Tumba que tú no tienes rumba
Que tú no tienes salsa
Ni tienes reggaeton
(bis 4 veces)
(coro) bis
* 0 2 y más pá allá
* haciendo lo que siempre quiso
Por mis venas
Me corre melao
Y la sabrosura
De la Juana Bacallao
Por eso en la Habana
Yo sigo pegado
Y nunca estoy en ná
(bis)
Escucha bien dice
A, E, I, O, U el burro sabe más que tú
Que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú
Que te que te que
A, E, I, O, U el burro sabe más que tú
Que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú
Que te que te que
(coro) bis
* Flipper, el White y el Doctor
* Ensenando a lo demás
Esto es pá la gente que quiere escuchar
Pá los que siempre van a hablar
Porque callado no me voy a quedar
Y esto es
Pá todo aquel
Que ya no puede crear
O simplemente se pone a copiar
Sigue aprendiendo de mí
Que yo soy original
(la, la, la ….)
(Gracias a Luca por esta letra)
The lyrics of "Soy Yo" by Cubanito 20.02 seem to be a response to criticism and detractors the artist has faced throughout their career. The song opens with the acknowledgment of both fame and "sinsabores" or bitter/sour moments. The chorus repeats the phrase "soy yo" meaning "it's me" or "that's me," claiming that the artist is the one causing a stir in the neighborhood and in people's homes. The lyrics then address the critic's obsession with numbers and sales, urging them to focus on their own work instead of spreading rumors about Cubanito 20.02's appearance and style. The artist defends their chosen music genre, reggaeton, and suggests that they have chosen the themes and songs for the year already, creating music to "molerte" or destroy the competition. The verses continue to emphasize the artist's dedication to their craft and to their audience, wanting to maintain their success, and "retumbando la tarima," meaning they're shaking or booming the stage, providing pure adrenaline for their listeners. The song ends with the artist challenging those who doubt them to keep learning from their originality and talent.
The lyrics of "Soy Yo" use strong, assertive language to defend Cubanito 20.02's professional choices and music style. The chorus, in particular, is a catchy, repetitive phrase that reinforces the artist's message of being unapologetically themselves. The verses address the competition and the idea that numbers and sales do not determine an artist's value or identity. Instead, their talent, dedication, and originality should be recognized and praised. The song is an excellent example of reggaeton's influence and ability to empower and give a voice to marginalized communities who use music to express themselves and connect with millions worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Mucha fama, muchos detractores
I have a lot of fame and success, but with it comes many people who criticize me.
Muchas cosas buenas, pero muchos sinsabores
Although I have many good things in life, there are also many hardships that come with it.
Por eso éste ano vengo acabando en la Habana
That's why I'm ending this year in Havana.
Soy yo, ese que esta colado en tu casa soy yo Ese, que alborota a tu vecina soy yo
I'm the one who's always hanging around your house and making noise that even your neighbors can hear.
Cubanito 20.02
That's my name, Cubanito 20.02.
Dime cuántas copias tú has vendido Y te diré quién eres
Your worth as an artist is determined by how many copies of your work you sell.
Déjate de chismes como las mujeres Si uso pantalones anchos o los apretados Si tengo el pelo largo O estoy rapado
Stop worrying about trivial things like what clothes I wear or how long my hair is, it's not just a concern for women.
Ponte pá tu historia o te saco fould Qué te pasa Gil Tú no estarás enamorado Tú en lo tuyo y yo en lo mío No te metas en ese lío que Los temas de este ano los tengo escogidos Reggaetones pá molerte Pá que estés podrido Pá subirme a la tarima Pá dejarte frío Ya te vi dejar tu estilo Pá copiar el mío
Mind your own business and let me focus on my own work. I have already chosen which topics to work on this year and my music will be better than ever. It's time for me to shine and outperform other artists.
Luchando con Saúl y Bejerano Trabajando pál futuro Vengo retumbando la tarima Pá mantener la cima Y no voy a parar hasta que no te exprima
I'm fighting hard and working towards my future. I'm always striving to be the best and won't stop until I've achieved all my goals.
Así que imagina Vengo con la rima fina Que no desafina Pura adrenalina
Imagine how amazing my music is, it's full of great lyrics and brings an exciting thrill.
Yo, yo, yo voy a hablar Traigo a la pandilla Pá ponerte en tu lugar Tú sabes que domino yo en tu mundo espiritual Cuando subo al escenario Tú te pones a temblar
I have a lot to say and I'm gonna say it. My music will bring together a whole tribe and leave other artists in their place. When I start performing, you better be ready for the mind-blowing experience.
Tumba que tú no tienes rumba Que tú no tienes salsa Ni tienes reggaeton
You don't have the rhythm or style that I do, you can't compete with me in the arena of music.
0 2 y más pá allá haciendo lo que siempre quiso Por mis venas Me corre melao Y la sabrosura De la Juana Bacallao Por eso en la Habana Yo sigo pegado Y nunca estoy en ná
I've always dreamed of making it big in the music industry and I'm doing everything I can to make that a reality. My passion for music runs so deep that I feel it in my blood. I'm still in love with the energy and culture of Havana, it's where I feel most at home.
Escucha bien dice A, E, I, O, U el burro sabe más que tú Que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú Que te que te que A, E, I, O, U el burro sabe más que tú Que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú, que tú Que te que te que
Listen closely, even a donkey knows more than you do. It's time to stop questioning my abilities and start appreciating all I bring to the table.
Flipper, el White y el Doctor Ensenando a lo demás Esto es pá la gente que quiere escuchar Pá los que siempre van a hablar Porque callado no me voy a quedar
I have learned a lot from other famous artists like Flipper, el White and el Doctor. This music is for all my fans who appreciate my talents and are always ready to listen. Don't think for a second that I won't speak out when I have something to say.
Y esto es Pá todo aquel Que ya no puede crear O simplemente se pone a copiar Sigue aprendiendo de mí Que yo soy original
This music is for everyone who's lost their spark and creativity or those who are only copying other artists. Learn from me and find your own originality.
Contributed by Landon K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Claudia Rojas
Dios mío ,esto es viejoooo,me encanta , la puse a todo volumen
Klaus Shtein
That song is wonderful! Viva Cuba!😎
ЖИВОй ЧЕЛОвек из наРОДА
👍👍👍