Papo Record
Cuban Papo Record was born Andrés Daniel Rivalta Hechevarría and first joined the hip hop movement as member of the ‘Projecto F’ group with whom he reached third place in Havana’s “Rap Plaza” Festival of 1996. The following year he was awarded again for best improviser. Finally in 1998, he won the Grand Award at the 4th Cuban Rap Festival in Havana, which led him to record his first demo “Ojalá”. Since then, Papo began performing around Cuba; his tracks appearing in every Cuban hip hop compilation ever made (e.g. the Cuban Hip Hop all Stars) and his name and work mentioned and reviewed in every local and international media outlet (e.g. Vibe and the Source mags) featuring articles and/or news on Cuban hip hop.
In Jan 2005 Papo finally recorded his debut album “Cabiosile” with “Asere Producciones”, the label of the Cuban Rap Agency. The album was licensed to Bis Music for distribution. Two of its tracks (‘Cabiosile’ and ‘No Confundas’) have got video clips made by Cuban film maker Andros Barroso, known in Havana’s audiovisual elitist circuit for his amazing 3D works. Last May, this CD won the Cubadisco Award 2006 for Best Hip Hop Album.
Papo has also appeared as guest artist in recordings by other top Cuban musicians such as Yumurí y sus Hermanos. He has performed widely in both niche and top venues throughout Cuba; from every small underground club to Havana’s National Theatre and Jazz Café. He has also toured Panama and Brazil and has shared the stage with top artists such as U.S. DJ Africa Bambata and Brazilian ‘Cordel de Fuego’, among others. Papo also represented Cuba at the Copacabana Festival in Rio de Janeiro.
Papo has an easy yet firm way of delivering speech that combines very well with his urban lyrics. His tracks address social issues as they take place in the Havana barrios today, mostly concerning and affecting young Cubans. They also show Papo’s commitment to his Afro-Cuban cultural and religious heritage.
