| Cucu Diamantes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Latin, Pop, Rock |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Philanthropist |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Associated acts | Yerba Buena, Andres Levin |
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."[1] 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.[2]
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Of Spanish, African, Chinese and French heritage, Diamantes was born and raised in Havana, Cuba.[3] 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.[4]
Together with Andres Levin, 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.[5]
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."[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] The Washington Post wrote that "Cuculand has a narrative that reveals Cucu's pride and vulnerabilities, her heartbreak and what she's overcome."[9]
Diamantes has participated in several artistic productions and events that advocate social justice and political activism. Diamantes performed in Amnesty International's "Price of Silence" video, making a plea for universal human rights.[10] Diamantes also performed in the "Podemos Con Obama" video, inspired by will.i.am's "Yes We Can" video, in support of Barack Obama.[11] She also participated in the Obama Latin Inaugural Ball.[12]
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.[13] 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.[14]