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How Rauw Alejandro Is Reviving Afro-Caribbean History on Stage
Rauw Alejandro is bringing history to life on stage with his Cosa Nuestra World Tour, a project that transcends reggaetón to celebrate the origins and rhythms that molded Latin music. Both the album and the tour are deeply inspired by the Afro-Caribbean migration to New York during the 1950s and 1960s, a cultural wave that transformed sound, identity, and community for generations.
In “Cosa Nuestra,” Rauw shifts away from the club hits that brought him fame and delves into the foundational sounds that came before, like mambo, jazz, rumba, salsa, and conga. The production is rich with classic instruments, Afro-Caribbean percussion, and live band setups, forming a musical connection between the past and present. But it’s more than just the music. The visuals, fashion, and choreography all honor a specific period, mid-20th-century New York, when Latin and Caribbean communities were redefining the city’s cultural landscape.
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The Real Story Behind the Sounds of Cosa Nuestra
The Real Story Behind the Sounds of Cosa Nuestra
During this time in history, thousands of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Haitians, Jamaicans, and other Caribbean communities made New York their home. Some, like Puerto Ricans, arrived as U.S. citizens, while others came looking for opportunities in the so-called land of dreams. They settled in neighborhoods like Washington Heights, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, creating tight-knit communities centered around family, food, and music.
The migration wasn’t easy. These communities faced systemic racism, job discrimination, and housing inequality. Yet, they built institutions, churches, and mutual aid societies that fostered support and solidarity. Music became one of their most powerful tools for expression. Afro-Caribbean immigrants brought with them the vibrant sounds of their homelands: plena, bomba, danzón, merengue. In New York, those sounds melded together with jazz and soul, laying the foundation for salsa and other fusion genres.
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By the 1950s, venues in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx were alive with the sounds of congas and brass, and artists like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Machito became legendary figures. These gatherings were more than just parties; they were political spaces, cultural lifelines, and venues where identities were being forged and celebrated. Organizations such as the Universal Negro Improvement Association, founded by Jamaican-born Marcus Garvey, played a pivotal role in promoting Black empowerment and unity within these communities, weaving together Pan-African ideals with Caribbean pride.
Even in the early 20th century, English-speaking Caribbean immigrants, often referred to as West Indians, played a central role in New York’s Black intellectual and political life. They established churches, schools, and social clubs, setting the stage for future generations. Influential figures like Hubert Harrison and organizations such as the African Blood Brotherhood advocated for socialism and Black nationalism, illustrating that Caribbean migration was driven by ideological motives as well as economic ones.
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Rauw Alejandro’s Cosa Nuestra tour taps into a rich cultural blend. It’s not just about the music; it’s a tribute to the migrations that brought Afro-Caribbean identity into the heart of American cities. With every trumpet note and every dance break, he’s honoring those who came before him, those who forged their identity through struggle and rhythm.
From the stage’s aesthetic to the audience’s vintage-inspired attire, Cosa Nuestra is more than mere nostalgia. It’s a reclamation. It’s a celebration. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that the beats that move us today were born from stories of movement, resistance, and pride.
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By channeling the legacy of Afro-Caribbean migration through modern Latin pop, Rauw Alejandro is building a cultural bridge that reminds us how migration, music, and memory are forever linked. In doing so, he invites a new generation to dance not just for fun, but with purpose.
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