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Havana-born Ariel Fernández Díaz is undoubtedly a man on a mission. An internationally renowned cultural critic, Hip Hop historian, journalist, essayist and event organizer, Ariel has distinguished himself as a leader and advocate of Cuban youth culture and social cultural movements. A widely acclaimed lecturer and proponent of the Cuban Hip Hop movement, Ariel is best described by Vibe magazine: “Fernández does everything but rhyme. He's a DJ, radio personality, promoter, manager and journalist. If you want to know everything about Cuban Hip Hop, ask him. His drive and dedication to the movement is relentless.” For many, Ariel is simply seen as a genuine organic intellectual with the vision of a socio-cultural entrepreneur.Driven by his belief in the power of music to transmit ideas and build community, Ariel started his career as a local DJ in 1996 with a self–made audio system DJing in Havana's premier nightclubs and venues. Determined to further his knowledge of technology, Ariel decided to become a sound engineer, pursued studies in the field, and later went on to work at Radio Ciudad Habana. Disappointed by the exclusivity in mainstream music media, Ariel re-affirmed his commitment to creating a space for new voices, using the rap cubano movement as his tool of choice.A fiery orator, Ariel presented his vision for inclusive cultural spaces and discussed the importance of Black-centered media at the 4th Annual Cuban Hip Hop Festival, which led to the publication of his spontaneous speech by an intellectual alternative press called El Caimán Barbudo. This article gained national recognition for Ariel’s work as a youth and cultural advocate, making him the first journalist and cultural critic to address rap cubano as a socio-cultural movement, and making Ariel a much sought after voice in Cuban media outlets and popular culture forums. Just as Ariel’s foray into print media began to take shape, producers at Radio Metropolitana offered Ariel a segment called La Esquina del Rap (Rap’s Corner). This humble attempt at creating an intergenerational dialogue and cultural change through youth culture in Cuba, went on to become the most influential radio program for the rap cubano movement. This, coupled with Ariel’s continued work in print media, led him to interview Hip Hop and Jazz greats, as well as activists from around the world, including Anónimo Consejo, Obsesión, Orishas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots, Steve Coleman, Roy Hargrove, Dead Prez, Tony Touch, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte. His articles and essays have appeared in magazines such as Salsa Cubana (Cuba), Hip Hop Nation (Spain), In the House (Puerto Rico) and Touch (England). He himself has been interviewed and featured in The Village Voice, The Source, One World, Vibe, Black Book, Trace, Stress, Juice (Germany) and Liberation (France).In 2000, Ariel was selected by local MCs to become the lead organizer of the rap cubano movement for the Asociación Hermanos Saiz (AHS), a non-governmental (NGO) cultural institution that promotes new forms of artistic expression in Cuba. Ariel was later promoted by AHS to National Hip Hop Promoter, a national title whose responsibilities included producing events, advocating on behalf of the rap cubano movement in national and international cultural dialogues, and serving as liaison to international delegations and visiting artists. In this capacity, Ariel produced hundreds of events, conferences, festivals and shows, including the National Hip Hop Festival Havana Hip Hop and the historical performance of Hip Hop band The Roots in December of 2002. The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson said of Ariel, “As a diplomat, he had mad skillz and righteous flow.”This work paved the way for Ariel’s role as Founder and Editorial Director of Movimiento, the first and only magazine in Cuba dedicated to Hip Hop culture and contemporary Afro-Cuban issues. As a leading voice in the rap cubano movement and a once enthusiastic radio producer and host, Ariel later created and hosted Microfonazo, Cuba's only national Hip Hop radio program. Merging his innate capacity to organize and mobilize with his keen eye for detail and passion for music, Ariel also served as co-Executive Producer for three CD compilations: Havana Hip Hop All Stars Vol. 1 (Papaya Records), the first Cuban Hip Hop compilation ever recorded by a foreign label; Latin Flow (Avoid Records); and Con los Puños Arriba (Egrem Records), the first nationally recorded compilation which includes Cuban Hip Hop’s vanguard and most heralded figures.Since 2005, Ariel has lived in New York City where continues to demonstrate his vision, drive, and love for Hip Hop and the arts as vehicles for creating social change. He has traveled around the country as the Cuban Hip Hop Ambassador, doing lectures in prestigious universities and colleges. In just four years, Ariel managed to become curator and producer of First Fridays!, a community oriented and multicultural monthly program at The Bronx Museum of the Arts; joined the Board of Advisors of the International Hip Hop Exchange (IHX) and International Hip Hop Festival at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC); and worked for P.O.V/ American Documentary and The Havana Film Festival New York. Ariel is also a long time collaborator with the Black August Hip Hop Project developed by the The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM). He is currently a Op-Ed guest columist for El Diario La Prensa as well as directing documentaries and writing his memoirs.By all means, he continues to bridge the gap between Cuban and international youth communities.
Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids....

My favorite emcee is back! Cop his album on 6.9.09.