MIAMI, United States. – Cuban singer Haydée Milanés revealed in an interview with EFE who was forced to leave the Island due to difficult political and social conditions. A few days after the release of his new EP, Requiem for a lovescheduled for November 8, the artist shared reflections on her career, her relationship with her father and the future of her native country.
“In Cuba, we artists have experienced a lot of pressure to express what we really think,” he said. “Although I reported what was happening on my social networks, I also suffered the consequences. They closed the doors on me and, in the end, I had to leave Cuba because the situation was unsustainable for me.”
Reflecting on the current situation on the Island, the singer expressed her concern about the living conditions and lack of freedoms. “People are going through very difficult situations: lack of food, blackouts, repression against any attempt to protest“, he described. “I admire those from inside and outside Cuba who continue to denounce and seek change. “Social networks have been key to making what is happening visible.”
Although she remains hopeful, she was skeptical about a possible political opening in the short term. “I don’t see an opening as long as the current regime remains in power,” he said. “For there to be real change, there must be democracy and free elections, something that has not happened in 65 years.” He added that “the Cuban people deserve the freedom to make their own decisions and prosper without fear.”
Haydée currently resides in Miami, United States. “Living abroad has allowed me to express myself more freely, although there is always a certain fear,” he acknowledges.
Haydée: her own style
From a very young age, his father’s music deeply influenced his artistic life. “Since I was little, my father’s music marked my path,” she recalled. “At home we lived surrounded by music and musician friends, I attended their concerts. He was my first musical reference, not only for his work, but also for the type of music he defended: traditional Cuban trova, filin, genres that were forgotten or marginalized in Cuba.”
However, Haydée sought to forge her own musical identity. “I wanted my musical identity to be valued beyond my last name, which generated a certain rebellion in me,” he confessed. He even considered releasing his first album under his first name only to avoid comparisons. “Later I understood that [el apellido Milanés] “It’s part of who I am,” he said.
Throughout their career, father and daughter collaborated on several occasions. “My first recording was when I was 10 years old on his album,” he said. “In 2014 I decided to produce a joint album. It was a very natural process, like at home, where he taught me how to do second voices.” He highlighted that his father gave him “total creative freedom” during production.
When describing her musical style, Haydée emphasized its origin. “Above all, I am a Cuban singer,” she stated. “The essence of my music is in trova, bolero, filin and son, but I have been influenced by jazz, Brazilian music and other genres. I believe that every fusion enriches, as long as the identity of each artist is maintained.”
