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Carlos Manuel Pruneda did not go unnoticed in the Cuban music scene of the late 90s and early 2000s. Together with his “Clan”, the group he founded in 1997, he gained the affection of a fan base made up of children and young people, both adults and older people. The hits “Maloquantidad,” “La Apple en la Cabeza,” “Matilda” and “Enamorao” were played on a loop at every family gathering, school function or party in Cuba.
It wasn’t just the clan’s special musicality that made it one of the Cubans’ favorites; His aesthetics (costumes, hairstyles), catchy choreographies and frenetic “tembleque” made him a musical phenomenon within the island’s Timbera community.
Before forming the popular band Carlos Manuel y su Clan, Pruneda was part of groups such as Mayohuacán and Iraqere, with whom he toured on a wide variety of international stages.
Born in Havana in 1973, he initially used the knowledge and experience of artists such as Rosita Fornés and Chucho Valdés to create his own project some time later.
He has lived in Miami since 2003. There he continues to defend salsa, fused with the sounds that have shaped the artist’s musical identity for decades.
What path should an artist take to have a successful career like yours?
I don’t think there is a manual or steps to follow; Everyone builds their career depending on their skills and the time in which they develop them. In my case, I can tell you that I am committed to this profession with the same passion as I did on day one. As in other professions, in art you have to be constant and dedicated to achieving results.
Photo: Taken by ReverbNation (online).
How did the transition go from standing in front of the stage to singing on stage with groups like Mayohuacán or Iraqere?
It was a very difficult process. I had to learn and prepare to take on this responsibility and reach a higher level professionally. Let’s remember that these groups are a reference for every artist.
It was a school to be next to these great teachers with whom I lived and I must acknowledge the trust they gave me. It was a privilege to be part of these groups.
Why did you decide to embark on the adventure of creating your own “clan”?
Artists always have ambitions. I felt like it was the right time to write my own story.
I decided to start my group because I wanted to venture into new genres and sounds and make my own music. Challenges don’t scare me, I never remain static; for fear of failure, less so.
Photo: Spotify outlet (online).
What do you miss and what lessons did you learn from the first phase of Carlos Manuel y su Clan?
I remember the audience that was attached to our musical proposal and from which we received various expressions of affection, both from Cubans on the island and from those who lived in other regions of the world.
I miss my home, my family, my friends, the musicians I worked with for a long time. I learned that all dreams and goals can be achieved with effort and dedication.
Was your group’s success poorly received by the leaders of the Timba movement at the time?
I don’t think it was poorly received, at least I’ve never heard of it. Since the orchestra’s founding, we have set ourselves the goal of doing good work, connecting with people and securing a place for ourselves in the Cuban musical panorama.
What was it like living in the epicenter of popularity?
The life of the artist is a life full of ups and downs; If you manage to be popular with the public, many people will approach you; But you need to surround yourself with people who will center you and guide you on the right path. It’s difficult, popularity is a path that very easily leads to ego if you don’t know how to deal with it.
What songs from this period would you recommend to someone who did not live through this period and would like to approach your work?
I invite the young people who did not live through this period and would like to get closer to my work to follow me on my social networks so that they can get closer to what I have done since my time in Cuba. In these sections you will find all the songs that are part of our repertoire and learn more about the news we are preparing for 2024.
Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
Would you re-record some of your hits?
This is something we have been thinking about for some time and has now become a reality. In fact, ten of these hits have already been re-recorded with a new sound. Songs include: “Carapacho pa’ la jicotea”, “Cold Water”, “Bad Quantity”, “Matilda” and “The Apple in the Head”.
Is the audience more musically literate than fifteen years ago?
Over time, the public’s needs and perspective on life change. also music. Although there are rhythms that capture the attention of young people, there is room for everyone. Ultimately, everyone decides what they want to hear based on their tastes and interests.
What is the main theme of the soundtrack of your life?
It’s very difficult to choose just one song. Over the course of my life, I have developed an attachment to several topics that have been of great importance at every stage. I couldn’t stick to just one song, I would rather do a medley of all the songs that shaped me.
Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
How much did the rumor that negatively associated you with Marc Anthony impact your career?
This comment still haunts me to this day and I have made it clear a million times on different platforms: I have never spoken badly about any artist, let alone a star like Marc Anthony, who is also one of my favorite singers.
Do you think Cuban salsa has lost ground on the international music scene?
Salsa is one of the genres that we have always defended in Cuba and in which we have had great representatives. Our salseros are among the best on our continent. The quality of the work is well known, but production was stopped and other genres began to be recorded.
Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
Was it more difficult for you to conquer new target groups at this stage of your career?
The artistic world is complex for everyone, both those who are just starting out and those of us who have been at it for a while. I don’t think reaching new generations will be more difficult at this stage of my career; Each audience has its own characteristics. You just have to know how to give him what he needs and, based on this, make a proposal with which he identifies.
How do you get along with reggaeton? Is it a “tax” to pay in these times?
I get along well with reggaeton; I like the genre when it’s well produced and there are people who do it very well.
In fact, among the projects I have for this year, audiences will find dance songs, romantic songs, reggaeton and a little bit of everything.
Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
What did your family have to contend with because of your decision to become an artist?
I have always understood the value of family and have relied on it in all situations that have arisen throughout my career. Sometimes work doesn’t allow me to attend important ceremonies, but they understand that this is part of this career.
My family supported me 100% in my decision to dedicate myself to this profession and I have dedicated everything I have achieved to it; It motivates me to keep going.
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