It's been quite a journey since Orishas released their first album 'A Lo Cubano' in Spain in May 1999. Lauded by the press throughout Europe ever since it came out, the group launched into a marathon tour that started in summer 1999. From clubs to festivals, the European tour stretched out to just over two years with evening performances of their music catalogue at the Olympia, the Ancienne Belgique and the Royal Festival Hall in England. They were to play at the most prestigious festivals in Europe like the Lowlands (Holland), where they topped the bill along with groups like Deftones and Cypress Hill, and the Roskilde (Denmark), where they brewed up a storm alongside groups as disparate as Tool and Wyclef Jean. Orishas also performed in the year 2000 at festivals like the Paleo Nyon Festival, the La Rochelle Francofolies and Pop Kom.
The group gradually acquired international standing, and after conquering Europe they went on to win over the United States in November 2000, with the American press unanimous in its acclaim: articles and reviews in Time, Rolling Stone, The Source, Vibe ,... Little by little they became an essential live band, capable of sharing the stage with artists as diverse as Compay Segundo, Orquestra Aragon, Iggy Pop, Cypress Hill, Macy Gray and Marcus Miller. Orishas paid their dues on the road and left Europe to take part in various jazz festivals in Canada and South Africa, dropping in on Brazil and Mexico. Orishas left no doubt that their musical fusion, unique in its genre, enables them to break the frontiers of style and to be equally at home in front of a latino, hip hop, pop or rock audience.
December saw their triumphal return to Cuba, where they had occupied the top slots of the radio charts for months and where they gave two concerts that brought together tens of thousands of young Cubans. They had come full circle, because after touring the world Orishas' dream finally came true: playing in front of their families and the people of Cuba.
Collaborations came thick and fast, with Roldan Gonzalez appearing on various French rap albums (Kerry James) or international rap albums (Dari, Da Weasel / Portugal).
After more than 200 concerts worldwide, the group decided to get back to song writing in August 2001. It was only to be expected that they would start working together again with the French producer and composer Niko Noki, (Passi, Bisso Na Bisso), who along with Roldan Gonzalez had been responsible for the tracks on the first album. He in turn engaged the services of a young composer of the future, DJ Mig-One, who had two albums with his group Starflam under his belt. They strung several studio sessions together between Belgium and Paris to knock up no fewer than twenty tracks. In November 2001 the group was ready at last to go back into the studio proper to record the successor to A Lo Cubano. They opted for the EMI studio in Paris, where the cream of Cuban musicians gathered at the group's behest to immortalise the songs of the Emigrante album. The group had matured and learned a great deal from touring the world, the subjects are more profound and given a more international treatment. Having had their eyes opened by the big world has had a visible impact on their writing. As on the first album, Miko Niko is in charge of musical production and most of the tracks, DJ Mig One has penned 3 compositions that underpin the plurality of their influences. The album was mixed at the Polygone studio in Toulouse under the auspices of Mario Rodriguez (Notorious B.I.G., Public Enemy, Mobb Deep, Fonky Family, 113...). Once again the alchemy is perfect. The new album sees the return of two very talented artists and long-standing friends of the group: Passi on La Vida Passa and Yuri Buenaventura on 300 Kg de Rap.
The new album has a pan-European release on April 22, 2002 and is being promoted in a tour that takes in more than ten countries before being presented on the stages of the major European festivals this summer.
Gladiadores
Orishas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Operación partida
Virgen de regla hermano
Conmigo yema ya
Embarcación confusión
Orientación acecha
Un objetivo solo en la cabeza
Comentado por todos
Los cubanos emigrados
90 millas de La Habana
Cada vez más, más me alejaba
A golpe trueno rompe
En medio mar tormenta helada
Inmensas olas destrozaban
La locura la barca rota
La amargura
Al mar pido cordura
Mi madre me abrazaba
Yo rezaba
Padre nuestro que estas en
Nuestro cielo
Santificado sea tu nombre
Si tienes que elegir a mi que
Soy el hombre
Coge mi nombre
Ese es otro día
Quien lo diría
Viste asere este
No esta en na'
Que ese plan de loco
Te fallaría
Viste asere este
No esta en na'
Ese es otro día
Quien lo diría
Viste asere este
No está en ná'
Que ese plan de locos
Te fallaría
Te lo dije asere
Este no está en na'
Cae la noche en el manglar
El silencio cubre todo
Menos las olas del mar
Cuatro jóvenes y un niño
Que no para de llorar
Con temor pero aferrados
Se disponen a zarpar
Piden al cielo, fe y piedad
Que dios ponga ya su mano
Contra el furor del mar
El océano endiablado
No descansa, pide más
Tragó sus cuerpos cansados
Es la triste realidad
Crece la furia por toda
La ciudad digo la verdad
Si es que tu la sabes
No hay reproche que retorne
Si sopla el viento fuerza noble
Allí se que lo rodean puros
Tiburones
Más cabrones
El sol castiga las emociones
Quien se repone a los temores
Sueño mas duro que gladiadores
Que le pasó a ese pobre
Balserito que anda
Jugando su suerte óyelo
En las fauces de Neptuno
Su voz se quedó
Dios en la aventura has fallado
Y aquí mi voz en
Lo profundo se ha quedado
Enjaulado, sueño frustrado
Aha
El plan del otro día
Ha fracasado
The Orishas song Gladiadores tells the story of a group of Cubans who attempted to leave their homeland via boat, in search of a better life in the United States. The journey was treacherous as they faced storms, rough seas, and the constant threat of sharks. The lyrics describe the fear and desperation they felt as they prayed for safety and guidance. The song also touches on the harsh reality that not everyone survives these journeys, as some of the individuals' bodies were never found. The lyrics speak to the resilience and strength of the Cuban people, who are willing to risk everything for a better future.
The song is a tribute to the Cuban "balseros," the term used to refer to Cubans who attempt to leave their country by boat. The term became popular in the 1990s when a significant number of Cubans began fleeing the country due to economic hardship and political repression.
Line by Line Meaning
Desde alamar
This song tells a story that starts in Alamar, a place in Havana, Cuba.
Operación partida
This could mean the beginning of an operation, but in the context of this song, it likely refers to leaving the country.
Virgen de regla hermano
This line refers to the Virgin of Regla, a saint in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria. It could be a prayer for safety during the journey.
Conmigo yema ya
This line roughly translates to 'I'm ready'. It could be the artist declaring their readiness for the journey or for whatever comes next.
Embarcación confusión
This line refers to a boat, but confusión could imply that the situation is chaotic, uncertain, or confusing.
Orientación acecha
This line could mean that they are seeking direction or guidance, but acecha (lurks) implies a sense of danger or unease.
Un objetivo solo en la cabeza
The only goal in mind is to leave Cuba and find a better life elsewhere.
Aquí la huida al paraíso
The journey is dangerous, but they hope that the destination will be worth it - that it will be a paradise compared to what they are leaving behind.
Comentado por todos
Their journey is known and talked about by many, either in support or in criticism.
Los cubanos emigrados
This line refers to Cuban immigrants who have left their home country seeking a better life elsewhere.
90 millas de La Habana
This refers to the distance between Havana, Cuba and the coast of Florida, which is where many Cubans attempt to migrate to.
Cada vez más, más me alejaba
The further they got from Cuba, the more distant it felt, as if leaving behind a part of themselves.
A golpe trueno rompe
This line could mean that they faced loud and sudden disruptions to their journey, like thunderclaps, that could have put their lives in danger.
En medio mar tormenta helada
They encountered a cold storm in the middle of the ocean.
Inmensas olas destrozaban
Huge waves were causing the boat a lot of damage, endangering everyone on board.
La locura la barca rota
The madness of their situation - attempting to flee Cuba in a small boat - was made worse by the fact that the boat was falling apart.
La amargura
This line could refer to the bitterness they felt about the situation - leaving their home and risking their lives to find a better future.
Al mar pido cordura
In the dangerous situation, they ask for clarity of mind in order to make the right decisions and keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Mi madre me abrazaba
During the journey, the singer was comforted by the embrace of their mother.
Yo rezaba
Praying for safety and success during the journey was likely a common practice among those attempting to flee Cuba at the time.
Padre nuestro que estas en/Nuestro cielo/Santificado sea tu nombre
These lines are the beginning of the Lord's Prayer, a common prayer in Christianity.
Si tienes que elegir a mi que/Soy el hombre/Coge mi nombre
If God is choosing who will survive this journey and who will not, the artist pleads to be chosen to make it through.
Ese es otro día/Quien lo diría/Viste asere este/No está en ná'/Que ese plan de locos/Te fallaría
This part of the song seems to be a reflection on the unexpected nature of their journey - that they had no idea what each day would bring and that their plans could fall apart at any moment.
Cae la noche en el manglar/El silencio cubre todo/Menos las olas del mar
As night falls on the area where they are traveling, all is quiet except for the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
Cuatro jóvenes y un niño/Que no para de llorar/Con temor pero aferrados/Se disponen a zarpar
The group attempting this journey consists of four young people and a child who is crying constantly. Despite their fear, they are determined to set sail.
Piden al cielo, fe y piedad/Que dios ponga ya su mano/Contra el furor del mar
The group prays for protection and mercy from God, hoping that divine intervention can protect them against the dangers of the ocean.
El océano endiablado/No descansa, pide más/Tragó sus cuerpos cansados
Their journey is made even harder by the restless, unforgiving ocean, and many have lost their lives to it.
Es la triste realidad
This is the harsh reality of many who attempted to leave Cuba during this time period.
Crece la furia por toda/La ciudad digo la verdad/Si es que tu la sabes/No hay reproche que retorne
The anger and frustration felt by Cubans who stayed behind and were unable to leave is growing throughout the city.
Si sopla el viento fuerza noble/Allí se que lo rodean puros/Tiburones/Más cabrones
If a strong wind blows, it is said that ruthless sharks surround the area, waiting for someone to fall in.
El sol castiga las emociones/Quien se repone a los temores/Sueño mas duro que gladiadores
Despite the emotional toll the journey takes on them, those who make it through are tough - even tougher than gladiators in a fight.
Que le pasó a ese pobre/Balserito que anda/Jugando su suerte óyelo/En las fauces de Neptuno/Su voz se quedó
This line mourns the loss of someone who attempted the same journey, but fell victim to the dangers of the ocean and never made it to their destination.
Dios en la aventura has fallado/Y aquí mi voz en/Lo profundo se ha quedado/Enjaulado, sueño frustrado/Aha/El plan del otro día/Ha fracasado
The artist feels that God has failed them, as they have suffered greatly and many have not survived the journey. They feel trapped and frustrated by the failure of their plan.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BALANDRAS EDITIONS
Written by: LUDOVIC BOURCE, ROLDAN GONZALES RIVERO, NICOLAS NOCCHI, HIRAM RIVERI MEDINA, YOTUEL OMAR ROMERO MANZANARES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind