ORISHAS

The Latin-Grammy winning group ORISHAS is back in NY for an intimate, exclusive concert at the Home of Universal Music, SOBs. On Thursday, June 26th, Orishas, the Cuban hip-hop band with an international following, returns to SOBs for their only NY show of 2009.


Orishas emigrated from Cuba early in their career, but Havana’s influence is clearly evident in their music. They gained notoriety in Cuba for addressing the social and racial problems of Havana with their music.
To many in their native Cuba the group was seen as much needed social commentators. They left Cuba for Spain where they recorded their first album A Lo Cubano, in 1999, which was met with widespread critical acclaim. The album allowed them to tour for over 2 years around the world.

In 2001, they released their second album, Emigrante. Emigrante featured the best Cuban musicians as well as several collaborations with French DJs and artists. Mario Rodriquez who has worked with Notorious Big, Public Enemy and many others guided the mixing.

The band’s current incarnation consists of three members Yotuel, Ruzzo and Roldán González. Now living all over the world, they still stay true to their Cuban heritage. Their music includes remains hip hop, but incorporates sounds from their many travels. Over the years the group has become very popular all over the world. Come to SOBs on Thursday, June 26th to join the millions worldwide who love Orishas compelling sound.

Orishas will be joined by special guest host & DJ, the Havana-born DJ Asho. Asho is not just a DJ but a renaissaince man with title of essayist, Hip-Hop historian and social & cultural commentator being some of the names he answers to. Asho was inspired to start DJing after he realized the power of music to transmit ideas. He got his start as a local DJ in 1996 with a self–made audio system, spinning in Havana’s premier nightclubs and venues.

Determined to further his knowledge of technology, Asho decided to become a sound engineer, pursued studies in the field, and later went on to work at Radio Ciudad Habana. Disappointed by the exclusivity in mainstream music media, Ariel re-affirmed his commitment to creating a space for new voices, using the rap cubano movement as his tool of choice.

Over the years Asho would continue to bring the rap cubano movement more and more attention through a number of media, one of those ways being the creation of what would become the most influential radio program for the rap cubano movement La Esquina del Rap (Rap’s Corner).

Since 2005, Asho has lived in New York City where he continues to demonstrate his vision, drive, and love for Hip Hop and the arts as vehicles for creating social change. He has traveled around the country as the Cuban Hip Hop Ambassador, doing lectures in prestigious universities and colleges. Through all his work he continues to bridge the gap between Cuban and international youth communities.