26 January 2024 - 0 Comments

From his wild days on the streets of Camaguey, Cuba, to becoming a reggaeton sensation in Aotearoa, Jinetero MC's musical journey comes to life in his debut.

LISTEN TO 24 HOURS HERE

Counting down to his first album, Unity Is Power, Jinetero MC, also known as Yonier Cuevas Vega, drops his latest bilingual single, 24 Hours. It's the lead track from his upcoming album set to release later this year, serving as a reminder to savour the moments life brings each day. With its catchy reggaeton beats, Caribbean harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics, 24 Hours is a track you'll want on your dance playlist.

One of Aotearoa’s leading exponents of reggaeton, Jinetero MC, AKA Yonier Cuevas Vega, host of weekly Base FM show Boom Boom Selecta, blends reggaeton beats, Caribbean rhythms and a pinch of Kiwi groove in a lively mixture reflecting his Afrocuban roots, hustler's braggadocio and affinity with the country he has called home for decades.

Jinetero has made waves in the New Zealand music scene, contributing to the Afro-futuristic roots hip-hop supergroup Olmecha Supreme, the eclectic world music pop-rave-brass fusion Weird Together, and as a solo artist. His performances at festivals across Australasia, including Korunda Roots Festival, Parihaka, Phat, Splore, One Love, Soundsplash, Cuba Street Carnival, The Sevens Parade, and more, have showcased his versatility. Sharing the stage with Aotearoa's most significant artists, from Imon Starr and King Homeboy to King Kapisi, The Black Seed's Nigel Patterson, bassist Crete Haami, Maake Phat, Tim Key (Newtown Rocksteady), Rafael Ferrer, and many more, Jinetero has left an indelible mark on the music landscape.

With a back catalogue bursting with reggaeton fusion - including New Zealand’s first homegrown reggaeton EP, Libertad!, and singles Dime, Time - Jinetero MC raps and sings in a mix of Spanish and English, layering in his Oshun roots from the Yorùbá faith over original reggaeton beats.

One of his earliest cultural ventures on these shores was a homage to his adopted hometown Wellington, complete with a video directed by the godfather of New Zealand hip-hop Te Kupu/Dean Hapeta (Kia Kaha Productions). “It’s a song about the city - the musicians who have helped me, the love I feel here and the stories I have to tell inspired me to make music” says Jinetero MC.

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