Meet CIMAFUNK: The Afro-Cuban Artist Bringing Funk to the World

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If you haven’t heard of Cimafunk yet, now’s the perfect time. This talented Cuban musician has seen incredible success, with multiple Grammy nominations and an acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has already surpassed a million views.

His collaboration with the Colombian group Monsieur Periné, ‘Catalina,’ has also been nominated for Record of the Year at the 2024 Latin Grammys. This track is competing against heavyweights like ‘Mil Veces’ by Anitta, ‘Mónaco’ by Bad Bunny, and ‘Mi Ex Tenía Razón’ by Karol G, among others.

But Cimafunk is much more than just his music. His stage name holds deep cultural and historical significance. As he explained in an interview with LOS40, ‘Cima’ pays homage to the cimarrones, African slaves in Cuba who escaped to the mountains in search of freedom. ‘Funk’ refers to the musical genre, which, like gospel, soul, blues, and jazz, is rooted in African heritage.

With a fusion of sounds that is as vibrant as it is innovative, Cimafunk—who, notably, is self-taught—has established himself as an unstoppable force in contemporary music. He’s not only shaping the future sound of Cuba but has also become a global cultural phenomenon, transcending borders and breaking language barriers.

Cimafunk Talks About his Hits ‘Me Voy’ and ‘Catalina’

One of the key milestones that marked a turning point in Cimafunk’s career was his hit ‘Me Voy.’ However, the artist has shared that every one of his songs, even those that never get released, holds a special place in his heart. For him, the creative process is what matters most—enjoying and savoring it, more than just focusing on the end result.

This approach is almost a mantra in his music, where the joy of living, without pretension or excessive worries, is a recurring theme. It’s likely one of the reasons why his music feels so authentic and organic, as Cimafunk creates purely out of his love for music, with the intention of enjoying every moment.

In the case of ‘Catalina,’ one might think that its creative process was long and complicated. However, Cimafunk revealed that the song was actually created in just a few hours. Interestingly, at the time, neither he nor Monsieur Periné could have imagined they’d end up being nominated for the Latin Grammys.

Catalina is the perfect blend of Cuba, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, with Puerto Rican producer Fox behind the track. The magic of the song emerged from a session where the only goal was to enjoy the moment.

“We were there to have fun, to enjoy it. We went into the session without any stress, just with the idea of sharing and making music. If something good came out of it, even better,” Cimafunk shared. And that’s how, suddenly, something special was born. “When you’re in that mindset, things just flow. That’s the lesson: to let go and enjoy the process.”

Collaborations and Future Projects

When asked which Latin Grammy-nominated artists he’d like to collaborate with, Cimafunk revealed that he already has several projects underway with some of them. He also expressed his desire to work with leading figures in the urban genre, particularly reggaeton, with a focus on Puerto Rican artists. “I’d love to collaborate with icons like Benito, Tego Calderón, Don Omar, or Daddy Yankee, even though he’s retired. They’re legends, the artists I grew up with, from both the old school and the new.”

As for his future projects, Cimafunk hinted at an exciting fusion of genres. “There’s hip-hop coming, along with more edgy, minimalist funk, as well as salsa and afrobeat.” He emphasized that he plans to incorporate many of these styles into his upcoming work, with a strong focus on grooves that fire up the dance floor, full of energy and warmth.

if you haven’t seen @CimafunkOficial live yet, run don’t walk 🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️💃🏻 pic.twitter.com/TO53HhBzvF

— SOFI TUKKER (@sofitukker) June 3, 2023

Advice for Young Musicians and a Message to His Fans

When asked if he had any advice for young musicians trying to create their own sound and stand out in the industry, Cimafunk was straightforward: “Go for it, believe in yourself. Be authentic. People often think that imitating others will get them further, but the real key is to be yourself. If you want to be radical, be radical; if you want to experiment, experiment. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Cimafunk emphasized the value of authenticity: “Enjoy yourself, get to know who you are, and speak your truth. Don’t just repeat what others say or do. Talk about your experiences, what you feel, what you’ve lived, what you believe, and what you want. Your music should be an expression of yourself, because that’s what music is all about: a tool for self-expression.”

Cimafunk’s message to his fans is clear: he is deeply grateful for all the support they’ve shown him. From watching his videos and commenting on his posts, to attending his concerts and buying his albums, every act of support means the world to him. He also has exciting news for his fans in the United States, as he’ll be touring several cities. In addition, a European tour is in the works, with all the details available on his social media.