Gallery: How Reggaetón Exploded All Over Cuba Without the Internet

  • Image may contain Human Person Clothing Shoe Footwear Apparel Pants Pedestrian Car Transportation and Vehicle
    Lisette Poole
    01

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    Divan, a new reggaetón star, gets a little extra hairspray between takes on the set of the music video "Por tu Amor” in old Havana.
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    Lisette Poole
    02

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    Musician Bandolero opens a local reggaetón party in Mantazas for producer DJ Unic.
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    Lisette Poole
    03

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    Fans grab at the feet of singer Yakarta during a show in the Ciego de Avila province.
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    Lisette Poole
    04

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    Artist Eriel burns CDs for distribution in his newly built recording studio in central Havana.
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    Lisette Poole
    05

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    The band Chacal y Yakarta plays a sold-out show at Cabaret Guanimar in Havana. Entry to the show is 10 Cuban convertible pesos, about half the average monthly Cuban salary.
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    Lisette Poole
    06

    20151012-RGTN-0387.jpg

    Fans line up outside a tour bus waiting for autographs from Chacal y Yakarta after a county fair show in Ciego de Ávila.
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    Lisette Poole
    07

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    Singer El Yonki before his concert in Varadero, Cuba. Yonki was the first to sport spiky hair—long on top and shaved sides—now synonymous with the genre.
  • Image may contain Human Person Sunglasses Accessories Accessory Crowd Festival Audience Night Life and Clothing
    Lisette Poole
    08

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    A boy poses during a reggaetón music video shoot in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana.
  • Damian039s girlfriend at a music video shoot in Luyano neighborhood of Havana.
    Lisette Poole
    09

    20150911-RGTN-366.jpg

    People hang out on the sidelines of a music video shoot in the Luyano neighborhood of Havana.
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    Lisette Poole
    10

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    Producer DJ Unic records with singer El Chacal in Unic’s home studio, Celula Music.
  • Singer Yakarta plays pool after a concert in Ciego de Avila.
    Lisette Poole
    11

    20151011-RGTN-0054.jpg

    Singer Yakarta takes a shot during a pool game at a concert in Ciego de Avila.
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    Lisette Poole
    12

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    The band Insurrecto takes a break during a late night session at a recording studio.
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    Lisette Poole
    13

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    Family photos line the walls of Jacob Forever’s home, a popular reggaetón artist who signed with Sony in 2016. His single “Hasta que se Seque el Malecón” was an international hit.
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    Lisette Poole
    14

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    The band Chacal y Yakarta tours the provinces.
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    Lisette Poole
    15

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    A bodyguard for the band Chacal y Yakarta stands outside their hotel room in Ciego de Ávila.
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