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In the realm of Cuban singers, the names of icons like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan often resonate strongly. However, another star that shined just as brightly but has been obscured by time, La Lupe, has to be acknowledged. This Afro-Latina powerhouse had it all - until she didn’t.
Born December 23, 1936, in the barrio of San Pedrito in Santiago de Cuba, Lupe Victoria Yolí Raymond was a proud Afro-Latina, her roots profoundly shaping her music and performances. Inspired by her father, an employee at the Bacardí distillery, La Lupe's voice soon became her ticket out of obscurity. In 1954, she audaciously escaped school to win a radio competition, setting her destiny in motion.
The Yolí family moved to Havana, where the vibrant Afro-Cuban culture further influenced young La Lupe. She initially enrolled at the University of Havana, aspiring to be a teacher, but the siren call of music was impossible to resist.
The late 1950s saw La Lupe's star ascend in Havana's nightlife. Her Afro-Latin heritage, combined with her electric performances, captivated a diverse audience, including stars like Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway, and Marlon Brando. Her television debut on Puerto Rican screens further fueled her fame but also showcased her unbridled, passionate performances, which, although revered by many, also shocked a conservative audience.
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However, the political atmosphere in Cuba was changing rapidly, and by 1962, La Lupe found herself exiled to Mexico. It was here that she sought the guidance of the renowned Celia Cruz. With Cruz's recommendation, La Lupe soon found herself in the heart of New York City, a place that would become instrumental in shaping the next phase of her illustrious career.
The 1960s took La Lupe from Mexico's exile to New York's bustling music scene. Guided by Celia Cruz, La Lupe's meteoric rise in the Big Apple was nothing short of phenomenal. Her versatility, comprising diverse Caribbean genres, earned her rave reviews. But, it was her unapologetic Afro-Latina identity, combined with her unique vocal prowess, that made her a sensation.
But the music world is fickle. As the salsa movement exploded and stars like Celia Cruz dominated the scene, La Lupe's brilliant flame began to wane. By the late 1960s, her once-illustrious career had, for the most part, faded into the background.
Her subsequent years were marred by challenges. A spinal injury, financial woes, and personal tragedies seemed to conspire against her. Yet, ever resilient, La Lupe found solace and rebirth in evangelical Christianity, a dramatic departure from her Santería origins.
In 1991, in a bid to reclaim her legacy, she performed a poignant concert in New York, reminding the world of the forgotten Afro-Latina queen of Latin music.
La Lupe's final curtain call came unexpectedly in 1992. While she remains interred at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx, her legacy poses a haunting question: How did such a force of nature become a mere whisper in history, overshadowed by names like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan?
La Lupe's story is a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the Afro-Latina voices that have shaped Latin music. In the end, the "Queen of Latin Soul" may have been forgotten by many, but for those who remember, her spirit and talent burn as brightly as ever.
Break out the mint and lime, it's National Mojito Day! This refreshing cocktail hailing from Cuba is a beautiful blend of rum, sugar, lime, mint, and a splash of soda water that's absolutely perfect for summer. Let's immerse ourselves in the sparkling world of this classic cocktail, exploring its origins, cultural significance, and, most importantly, how you can make one yourself to celebrate in true Cuban style.
What are the mysterious origins of the iconic mojito cocktail?
The mojito was born in the tropical landscape of Havana, Cuba, though its precise origins are as clouded as the frothy top of a freshly-stirred mojito. Some stories trace it back to the 16th century when Englishman Sir Francis Drake came ashore in Havana. A concoction similar to the mojito, called 'El Draque,' was allegedly consumed for medicinal purposes.
Historians suggest the mojito, with roots in the Cuban sugar cane fields of the 19th century, may have been developed by African slaves who enjoyed Guarapo, a sugar cane juice. The cocktail, therefore, also serves as a reminder of a time of stark inequality, slavery, and the emergence of global economics.
Today, the mojito has become a symbol of Cuban identity, intertwining a past marked by slavery with its present-day popularity as a must-try tourist drink. However, it's also a reflection of the ongoing commoditization of culture and a tool for distinguishing economic and racial lines in contemporary Cuba.
The mojito we know and love today began to take shape in the early 20th century, as Cuba's sugar cane industry boomed and rum became a staple in Cuban cocktails.
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond drinking a delicious-looking mojito in the 2002 movie Die Another Day.
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It has been celebrated in literature and music and has found fame on the silver screen, notably in the James Bond film "Die Another Day" and the legendary movie "The Old Man and the Sea," based on Ernest Hemingway's novel. Hemingway himself was a professed fan of the cocktail, often enjoying mojitos at Havana's La Bodeguita del Medio, which contributed to the drink's global renown.
Crafting Your Mojito
Photo by Sakshi Ranjan on UnsplashNow for the fun part: making your own mojito! Celebrating National Mojito Day wouldn't be complete without the satisfying clink of ice in the glass and the invigorating scent of fresh mint. Follow this traditional recipe to whip up your own Cuban mojito:
Ingredients:
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
- 2 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 1/2 fluid ounces of white rum
- 1/2 cup club soda
Instructions:
- Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass.
- Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.
- Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture.
- Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with club soda.
- Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.
There you have it! A taste of Cuba right in your glass. Now that you know its origins and recipe, raise your glass, share a toast to Cuban heritage, and savor every sip of this delightful cocktail!