In the aftermath of Hurricane María many artists have made works reflecting on their experiences during this sudden new chapter in their lives. In his latest single to his upcoming project Anecdotas, “De Pie”, Negro González gives us a brief glimpse into his life after María, while letting us know a bit of his future plans and imploring the people to rise in the face of such adversity.
(promo for the video as found on Negro González’s Facebook page)
With a salsa inspired musical production by Orquesta El Macabeo’s keyboard player El S. and musical engineering by EBRS and Juan Nuro, Negro González pays tribute to his salsa loving roots while rapping about his experience in life post-María where he had to work so hard to the point where he fainted and “his jeans lost their color.” El Artesano de la Impro, as González is called by the rap community, also makes mention of how he was raised in Puerto Rico and how he would never leave his island. However, he does not condemn those who left. Instead, he wishes them a fruitful future. He continues to make mention how his daughter, like him, will also be born in the island. He finishes off the song by stating “no se puede levantar lo que siempre has esta’o de pie” (you can’t lift what has always been standing), meaning that Puerto Rico will always stand tall in the face of any adversity, be it the government’s corruption or a strong force of nature like Hurricane María.
(picture of El S. as found on his Facebook page)
(picture EBRS and Negro González as found on EBRS’ Facebook)
Gonzlez’s “De Pie” was released in the form of a music video made in collaboration with Producciones Tabaquero. Directed by Edward Andrés and edited by Alejandro D. Orengo Colón, the video features El Artesano de la Impro rapping in numerous locations including a house which greatly suffered from the impact of Hurricane María while at times playing basketball, and dancing to the salsa inspired production. The visuals, much like Negro’s lyrics, tell the story of an artist’s life after the effects of a category-five hurricane.
(Producciones Tabaquero’s logo as found in their Facebook page)
Negro González’s “De Pie” is yet another inspirational reflection on the life post-María. It tells the community they must rise and look to strive in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, the musical production is a homage to Negro’s salsa roots and the visual by Producciones Tabaquero helps El Artesano de la Impro capture everything he raps about and the atmosphere the music creates. González’s ventures in 2017 and this latest single truly make Anecdotas one of the most sought-out projects of 2018.
Watch the video on YouTube here.
Check out Negro González’s music on Soundcloud here.