Cuba dances to a hip-hop beat

In Havana, Cuba, a group of young dancers have entered the spotlight dancing to hip-hop, a genre practically unheard of on the Caribbean island. Land of salsa and rumba, few in Cuba knew anything about hip-hop until relatively recently.

Decades of US sanctions, coupled with the governing Communist Party controlling many aspects of daily life, have left the island’s population largely unexposed to hip-hop. However, following the introduction of the internet in 2015 and mobile access in 2018, 4.2 million of the island’s 11 million population are currently connected.

Datway’s 16 member troupe has taken to Facebook and Instagram to promote their blend of hip-hop and traditional styles. One of Datway’s members, Liuven Dopico, outlines their approach.

Liuven Dopico: "Here we mix hip-hop a lot, urban street dance, we mix it with traditional Cuban music. We combine all that and create something really beautiful."

This unique hip-hop fusion has taken off through social media. Launched onto the international stage, they’ve earnt the praise of megastar Ricky Martin and the King of Reggaeton, Daddy Yankee.

Datway's star has continued to rise. They recently won an online challenge to choreograph a video for the Puerto Rican-Cuban reggaetón duo Ozuna and Ovi.

In a country where the monthly salary is just $87, the prize of $10,000 has provided the crew with a major lift. Company director Ernesto Rodriguez goes through what they did with the money.

Ernesto Rodriguez: "We are using technology. We bought a good camera for the group, and from that half of the money – of all that was left – I distributed it among all the members. I also gave money to the children who participated, the ones who passed by in the video, everybody."

The aim of the group is to get more young Cubans involved in their recordings whilst still portraying the real Cuba through their videos.

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