'This is not America': Residente speaks out about injustices suffered in Latin countries
The video has more than 2 million views in just 12 hours, and the Puerto Rican rapper said that "we are going to return the name to our continent."
Residente's latest music video, “This is not America,” begins with a shot in the air by activist Lolita Lebrón. In a piece of excellent cinematographic production, Residente is back to vindicate the wounds, oblivion and injustices suffered throughout Latin America. After the scene of the actress who plays the Puerto Rican activist, who in 1954 challenged the U.S. House of Representatives to demand the independence of her country, René Pérez (Residente), reminds the world: “we are here, hey, we are here."
The popular Puerto Rican rapper, who became popular as the front man of Calle 13, is not in the headlines because of his retirement, nor because of his recent war of words with J Balvin. With “This is not America,” Residente launches a cry for Latin American unity.
The musical side, based around the percussion of drums, provides a suspenseful rhythm, for lyrics that aim to touch the hearts of Colombians, Brazilians and Venezuelans. It's an entire continent that suffered hardships and struggles, with obvious parallels between them.
“If you don't understand the data, then I'll throw it at you with cumbia, bossanova, tango or ballenato,” he exclaims, while vindicating the great Latin musical richness that he combines with his most aggressive rap.
In a single music video, Residente makes eminent visual references to harsh episodes: Lolita Lebrón's fight; the Aztec sacrifice; Mexican children caged on the U.S. border; the shoe shine revolution in Bolivia; the 43 Mexican students disappeared and murdered in Ayotzinapa; Bolsonaro and the deforestation of the Amazon with the disappearance of Indigenous tribes...
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“America is not just USA dad, this is from Tierra del Fuego to Canada. You have to be very rough, very hollow. It is like saying that Africa is only Morocco,” raps Residente.
It is a rejection of the paramilitaries, the guerrillas, the gangs, the blacklists, the disappeared, the narco-governments or the assassinated journalists. Bankruptcies, drug trafficking, or undocumented immigrants. It's a message that avoids euphemisms or metaphors and goes straight to the point.
Greg Ohrel directed the music video for the song, which features a collaboration with Ibeyi. In Rolling Stone magazine, where Residente appeared bare-chested and the title of his latest hit painted on his skin.
“He claims, with impetus and genius, his throne as the most important MC in the history of music in Spanish. And it is not only the result of the forcefulness of his verses, he is also the voice of a generation that has found in his music and his activism the support and inspiration to demonstrate for their rights,” wrote Diego Ortiz.
After sharing the video on his social networks, he scored more than 2 million views in just 12 hours.
“From today, the word America will mean what it is supposed to mean. We are going to return the name to our continent,” claimed the rapper.
Known for his statements against the colonization of the continent, imperialism and U.S. hegemony, the artist and winner of 31 Grammy Awards (joining his solo stage with Calle 13), is preparing a farewell album. If it follows the "This is not America" line, he'll probably generate a lot of noise.
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