Cucu Diamantes
Encyclopedia
Cucu Diamantes is a Grammy nominated Cuban-American singer, songwriter
, actress and philanthropist
. Her 2009 solo debut Cuculand received a Latin Grammy Nomination
for Best Alternative Song, "Mas Fuerte." Diamantes is also cofounder and lead singer of Grammy nominated New York City fusion band Yerba Buena
. A frequent collaborator, Diamantes has worked with Carlinhos Brown
, Yotuel Romero
, Lenine
, Fat Boy Slim, Meshell Ndegocello, Vico C
, Les Nubians
, Rosi de Palma, John Leguizamo
, Paulina Rubio
, Aleks Syntek
, and Beto Cuevas
, among others.
, Diamantes founded the band Yerba Buena. The band's debut, President Alien, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy. Yerba Buena has received praise as one of New York's most influential Latin Fusion bands of all time.
wrote that "Cuculand has a narrative that reveals Cucu's pride and vulnerabilities, her heartbreak and what she's overcome."
and political activism. Diamantes performed in Amnesty International's "Price of Silence" video, making a plea for universal human rights. Diamantes also performed in the "Podemos Con Obama" video, inspired by will.i.am
's "Yes We Can" video, in support of Barack Obama
. She also participated in the Obama Latin Inaugural Ball.
Diamantes is also a spokesperson for Amnesty International’s “Protect the Human” and “Stop Violence Against Women” campaigns. In 2009, Diamantes performed at a peace concert in Cuba to over a million fans. She is also a co-founder and artistic ambassador for Music Has No Enemies, a nonprofit designed to spread social justice through film and music.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, actress and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. Her 2009 solo debut Cuculand received a Latin Grammy Nomination
Latin Grammy Awards
A Latin Grammy Award is an accolade by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. Unlike the regular Grammy Award which primarily honors music produced in the United States, the Latin Grammy honors works produced anywhere around the...
for Best Alternative Song, "Mas Fuerte." Diamantes is also cofounder and lead singer of Grammy nominated New York City fusion band Yerba Buena
Yerba Buena (band)
Yerba Buena is a Grammy-nominated fusion band based out of New York. The project was started by Venezuelan songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Andres Levin, and Singer, Composer Cucu Diamantes who brought Cuban composer Descemer Bueno to New York. All worked together during the conception...
. A frequent collaborator, Diamantes has worked with Carlinhos Brown
Carlinhos Brown
Carlinhos Brown is a Brazilian musician from Salvador, Bahia. He was born in Candeal Pequeno, a small neighbourhood in the Brotas area of Salvador de Bahia...
, Yotuel Romero
Yotuel Romero
Yotuel Omar Manzanarez Romero is an singer, actor and musician current lead singer and co-writer of the 2003 Latin Grammy Award winner Platinum album selling rap group Orishas. Among other recordings, Emigrante won the 2003 Latin Grammy Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album...
, Lenine
Lenine
Lenine may refer to:*Lenine , Brazilian singer-songwriter*Lenine, Crimea, a town in the Kerch Peninsula*Lenine Raion, one of the 25 regions of Crimea...
, Fat Boy Slim, Meshell Ndegocello, Vico C
Vico C
Vico C is an Puerto Rican rapper and rap artist. He is considered one of the founding fathers of rap and has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip hop....
, Les Nubians
Les Nubians
Les Nubians is an R&B Grammy-nominated duo composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart from Paris, France. In 1985 the sisters moved with their parents to Chad. Seven years later, they returned to Bordeaux, France, and began singing a cappella, producing poetry slams in Bordeaux and Paris, and...
, Rosi de Palma, John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo
Jonathan Alberto "John" Leguizamo is an Colombian-American actor, producer, voice artist, and comedian.-Early life:...
, Paulina Rubio
Paulina Rubio
Paulina Susana Rubio Rue is a Mexican singer and actress. Rubio achieved international stardom with her fifth studio album, Paulina...
, Aleks Syntek
Aleks Syntek
Raúl Alejandro Escajadillo Peña , better known as Aleks Syntek, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and producer. He is married to Karen Coronado, sister of talkshow host Ingrid Coronado.-Biography:...
, and Beto Cuevas
Beto Cuevas
Luis Alberto "Beto" Cuevas Olmedo is the former lead singer of the now-defunct Chilean rock band, La Ley. He grew up in Montréal, Quebec, and is fluent in French, English, and Spanish. He was born in Santiago, Chile, and now resides in Los Angeles and is pursuing a solo career.-Biography:His...
, among others.
Early life
Of Spanish, African, Chinese and French heritage, Diamantes was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Diamantes began her musical career singing backup vocals for a salsa band in Rome, where she was studying art. After finishing her studies, she moved to New York City to pursue her music career.Yerba Buena
Together with Andres LevinAndres Levin
Andres Levin is a Venezuelan-American record producer, band leader, film maker, recording engineer and philanthropist. Levin won a Grammy award in 2009 for his production of the In The Heights Cast Recording...
, Diamantes founded the band Yerba Buena. The band's debut, President Alien, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy. Yerba Buena has received praise as one of New York's most influential Latin Fusion bands of all time.
CuCuLand
In March 2009, Diamantes released her Grammy nominated solo debut Cuculand. Diamantes described the album as a "classy, tragic-comic theatrical cabaret album mixed with [her] Cuban roots and New York edge." The album combines Diamantes' broad musical experiences with causes central to her social conscious, including love from a woman's point of view and themes of personal independence. Diamantes specifically cites her aunt as an inspiration and source of strength in forming her personal identity that is a focal point on the album. The Washington PostThe Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
wrote that "Cuculand has a narrative that reveals Cucu's pride and vulnerabilities, her heartbreak and what she's overcome."
Philanthropic Work
Diamantes has participated in several artistic productions and events that advocate social justiceSocial justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and political activism. Diamantes performed in Amnesty International's "Price of Silence" video, making a plea for universal human rights. Diamantes also performed in the "Podemos Con Obama" video, inspired by will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
's "Yes We Can" video, in support of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. She also participated in the Obama Latin Inaugural Ball.
Diamantes is also a spokesperson for Amnesty International’s “Protect the Human” and “Stop Violence Against Women” campaigns. In 2009, Diamantes performed at a peace concert in Cuba to over a million fans. She is also a co-founder and artistic ambassador for Music Has No Enemies, a nonprofit designed to spread social justice through film and music.