Danay Suárez is moving towards an untouchable status in the world of Cuban hip-hop. Since she was catapulted into the international limelight in 2010 through Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura Series, her acclaim has come from far and wide with repeated mentions of Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill by those who have tried to pinpoint her sound. Her versatility and vocal reach have become her defining qualities and she can flit between rapping and singing as seamlessly as she can move from hip-hop into reggae into jazz into soul.
Here is a diverse list of our favourite Danay Suárez tracks. If you want to find out more about the beautiful Havana-born singer click here.
‘Siempre Que Llueve’
This laid-back and beautiful track is Danay’s tribute to the underground movement and the street-talent that drives it. Her caressing tones and delicate phrasing are brought to life in a video shot in the Gothic Sector of central Barcelona.
‘Flores’
“Para preguntas con piedras, hay respuestas con flores, flores para los perdedores.”
‘Flores’ is about finding the voice of calm within in order to resolve the existential problems of love. Danay flaunts the power of her vocal reach as her lyrics pierce through this mighty reggae number.
‘Guijira’
Taken from her EP ‘Danay Suarez – Havana Cultura Sessions’ and recorded in 2010 alongside Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca. The EP represents her debut release on Gilles Peterson’s label Brownswood Recordings and her initial introduction to the world of jazz. Here is the live version from her performance with Fonseca at Worldwide Festival 2011.
‘Yo Aprendí’
‘Yo Aprendí’ landed in the next chapter of Danay’s collaboration with Gilles Peterson. The track was released in 2011 on ‘Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura: The Search Continues’; a compilation album championing the cream of Havana’s musical talent. This melancholy hip-hop number shows her capacity for effortless navigation between rap and song.
‘Check La Rima’
Danay also features on the 5th track of Brownswood album ‘Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura: The Search Continues’, this time teaming up with local hip-hop icons Los Aldeanos and Silvito El Libre. It integrates her fluid rapping style with the rhythmic sounds of Cuban rumba and jazz.
‘Noches Sueños’ – Mala Ft. Danay Suárez
The opening song from ‘Mala in Cuba’ and her first exploration into the eerie realm of dub, Danay joins forces with British dubstep veteran Mala (one half of Digital Mystikz) on this ethereal dub track supplemented by a mysterious music video recorded in Paris in 2012…. more info here.
Esta Es Para Ti
Serene and syncopated, ‘Esta Es Para Ti’ is another beautiful slow-burner.
‘Malago’- Bahama Soul Club Ft. Danay Suárez
Danay lends her vocals and some fast-paced rapping to this exotic groove-buster from German group Bahama Soul Club and their wonderful 2013 album ‘Cuban Tapes’.