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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 16 July 2019
Cuban singer becomes pioneer of #MeToo movement on island

HAVANA (AP) — Dianelys were investigating whether
Alfonso has a bold pres- they can bring charges of
ence — brightly colored abuse and sexual assault
tattoos, spandex bodysuits, against Cortés so many
Technicolor hair — and years after the alleged
a clarion voice that won crimes took place.
her the label "Goddess "Many victims wait years to
of Cuba" for her turns on say what happened and
songs ranging from ballads that complicates judicial
to reggaeton. action, especially in Cuba
Now she's also the center where many laws are out-
of a new phenomenon in dated," the lawyer said.
Cuba after publicly ac- Cuban authorities did not
cusing another renowned immediately respond to a
musician, flutist and request for comment on
bandleader José Luis Cor- the case.
tés, of repeatedly assault- Terry said the online reac-
ing and raping her during tion to Alfonso's accusa-
their yearslong relationship tions appeared to be a
while she was a vocalist for sign of changing attitudes
NG La Banda, one of the on the island.
best-known Cuban bands "People are being more
of the last three decades. In this June 28, 2019, photo, Dianelys Alfonso, singer whose voice won her the label "Goddess of daring, speaking out, talk-
Since Alfonso's accusa- Cuba" sits during an interview with The Associated Press in Havana, Cuba. ing about taboo topics,"
tions against Cortés on an Associated Press she said. "They're taking risks
internet video program last and have more freedom to
month, many Cubans have Online activism of any kind to 2009, and was involved Italian tour in 2009 and did speak out."
declared their support for is relatively new to Cuba, romantically with Cortés not return to Cuba until A national poll conducted
her online, calling her the which only began permit- for much of that time. She 2014. in 2016 and published this
pioneer of the #MeToo ting mobile internet this said Cortés repeatedly hit Alfonso's lawyer, Deyni Ter- year showed that some
movement in a country year. Until recently, open her, raped her and verbally ry, said Cortés sent the sing- 27% of 10,698 women who
where open discussion of discussion of domestic abused her, in private and er a threatening text mes- responded to a ques-
violence against women is abuse also has been rare in in public, during their rela- sage after she went public tionnaire reported being
rare. a communist society where tionship and after it ended. with the accusations. Al- mistreated or abused by
Cortés has not publicly re- the government portrays She said the abuse finally fonso reported the threat a man over the past 12
sponded to the allegations itself as able to take care stopped after she left the to police, Terry said, add- months but less than 4%
or to messages seeking of every social problem group in the middle of an ing that she and her client sought help.q
comment left by The Asso- and where there are only
ciated Press on his band's a handful of non-govern-
social media accounts or mental women's rights Tycho takes new direction on 'Weather'
with his promoters. groups.
Within hours of speaking The government last By RAGAN CLARK
to video host Alex Otaola year organized a public- Associated Press
and alleging that she had ity campaign to raise con- Tycho, "Weather" (Mom +
been abused by Cortés, sciousness of domestic Pop/Ninja Tune)
hundreds of Cubans on violence, with posters and California-artist Scott Han-
the island and in its dias- announcements in offi- sen, better known as Tycho,
pora in the United States, cial media under the slo- is back with his fifth studio
Latin America and Europe gans "You Are More" and album "Weather," one that
began posting messages "Evolve," though that ap- begins much as one might
of support for Alfonso with peared to focus more on expect.
the hashtags #IBelieveYou- physical than sexual abuse. Opener "Easy" is an instru-
Goddess, #MeTooInCuba Some 500 Cuban artists and mental, electronic track in
and #YouAreNotAlone. intellectuals have signed the same vein as his previ-
Alfonso also has received an open letter of support ous work — atmospheric
reams of abusive messages for Alfonso that condemns and upbeat. A woman's
calling her a liar and ac- violence against women voice pushes through, but
cusing her of besmirching on a Facebook page titled, her words are indistinct.
Cortés' reputation to win "I Believe You." By the second song,
greater renown. Actress and producer Vio- though, the deviation from
"I look at everything hap- leta Rodríguez, daugh- past albums is clear. "Pink &
pening online and I'm really ter of Cuban singer Silvio Blue" opens with Saint Sin-
stunned," the 38-year-old Rodríguez, wrote on her ner's ethereal voice as she This cover image released by Mom + Pop/Ninja Tune shows
singer told The Associated Facebook page last month sings, "Oh pink and blue, "Weather," the latest release by Tycho.
Press. "I can't really un- that she had been abused yeah, you know I look good Associated Press
derstand what's happen- by a "famous and power- on you."
ing online. I'm just trying to ful" Cuban man but had Hearing vocals comes as a trum. Samples of people panied by a vocalist.
keep getting professional remained silent for years. surprise. Tycho's past work speaking, such as a broad- On "Weather," the vo-
psychological help to deal The post was later deleted, has been almost exclu- caster giving a report, are cal presence only gains
with everything that's come without explanation. sively instrumental, falling used on albums like "Past strength as the songs con-
at me for having told the Alfonso was lead singer for on the brighter side of the Is Prologue," but never be- tinue, giving Hansen's work
truth." NG La Banda from 2003 down-tempo music spec- fore has he been accom- an entirely new feel. q