Since the travel restrictions between the USA and Cuba dropped earlier this year the communist country has started to adapt some modern trends from the Western world. Some see this as a loss of traditional Cuban culture, while others find it fascinating to see Cuban youth embracing global fashions, music and ideas into their lives as the new seeps into the old Cuba.
When you visit Cuba these days, you will see hipsters in tight jeans and trainers with iPhones. When the sun goes down the youth hold dances and raves in caves and warehouses to modern dance music. Popular fashion brands are worn here, whether they are authentic or convincing rip-offs. Music artists such as Pharrell and Rhianna are hot here and the same songs that young people in the USA dance to are also hitting the radio waves and dance clubs in Cuba.
Check out the underground Discoteca Ayala, located in a cave in the 501-year-old UNESCO-listed town of Trinidad. The town itself is traditional and embodies the old fashioned image of Cuba, but in this underground discotheque hip and edgy raves take place that seem like they would be more likely to take place in Berlin than Cuba.
Hip hop has become one of the latest genres of music to be embraced by the Cuban kids. Initially the government was opposed to hip hop due to its connection to America and capitalism. These days Cuban hip hop has become acceptable and the local musicians have put their own style, energy and flavour into the music. It has become the voice of the young generation. Other hot trends in Cuban music include rock and reggaeton.
Cuban culture has been preserved for many years in somewhat of a time capsule, as there has been no contact or exchange between the USA and Cuba since the 1960s. Now that the relationship is opening up again the changes in Cuban culture will be fascinating to observe and the youth of this Caribbean nation will take on trends from modern American culture and integrate them into their traditional ways.
The hip youth trends of Cuba
