Daniel Rodriguez, Hispanic from The Isley Brothers, left Cuba and conquered Hollywood

In an exclusive interview for Opinion, Daniel Rodriguez, Latin American percussionist who has bands Soul, Funky and Pop, The Isley Brothers He talked about his musical journey and how he managed to become part of one of the most popular music groups in the industry. The Cuban left Bayamo, made several strategic stops, settled in Los Angeles and finally conquered Hollywood.

Latinos are in fashion, and if not, then let the success of Bad Bunny speak for it, Carol G., Gustavo Dudamelathlete Diana Floresdoctor René Sotelo and already consecrated Camila Cabello, Ana de Armas, Salma Hayek, Eugenio Derbez and Sofia Vergara. But this also includes other branches of the entertainment and music industry such as instrumentalists, directors and producers. That’s how it goes Daniel Rodriguezwhich is owned by The Isley Brothers.

Daniel was born and spent his childhood in Cuba.. He had always loved music, but his state as a modest child did not allow him to have instruments. “I learned on cushions, like everyone else who doesn’t have an instrument… There I could hit it like crazy for hours.” He also came with a confession that he did everything to not continue his studies at school: “I was neither a good student nor the worst. It’s also true that I deliberately started getting bad grades.. If I didn’t go out in high school, dad would tell me: “Go to the field …”

The same regime established in Cuba little contact with the outside world. She would do that, of course, she wouldn’t care. The Isley Brothers’ percussionist was only interested in music from a very young age.

“I got sick of music. I said I spend 32 hours a day on music to be healthy.. My mom got my drumsticks out from under the bed, out of the pillows, out of the bathroom…” she says. Daniel laughing. Seeing his extraordinary talent, the next thing that comes to mind is his professional studies.

“I ate cassettes. Since I didn’t go through school, I had to find out. Discover things. Sometimes it’s easy, but I don’t know how good it is. It was not my turn to have a teacher on hand. When it’s your turn to open it, you see it differently… In the same way, a street school is not more important than another, and vice versa…” Daniel R.

At what point did Rodriguez dream of Hollywood?

Daniel Rodriguez did not leave Bayamo, so his dream was not abroad: “I am a peasant… my influence was Havana, I did not want to be abroad… I did not know about it. I wanted to go to the capital … “. So he got up there after playing with children’s and youth teams. He started as a substitute. There he stayed in search of what everyone does and learned it. I took advantage of the fact that I took these tools and practiced a lot. There was no one at home.

At first he was in Varadero, and then immediately left for Havana in his native Cuba. He began to meet more people, communicate. His talent was impressive. The same thing that just kept growing over the years. However, Daniel’s reality was that you couldn’t live with music that easily. and less at that time on the island. So Danielwith the suspicion that characterizes him, he also made a living doing other things: selling cigarettes, taking tourists to destinations, recording cassettes, etc.

But this independence prompted him to improve himself more in other genres: “I had to play every day, I played with city dwellers, I did different things with DJs. I started to worry about becoming a versatile person. There is another musical trend in Orient. This current has Vallenato, Cumbia. Besides Changüi, Folklore, Son Montuno…,” he added.

The truth is that more influence on the capital came from elsewhere. There he began to consume music of all kinds. What he listens to is interesting to him and replicated. “If you have a passion for what you do, you always want to learn a lot more. I liked to swim in all waters … If I like bachata … I know all bachatas … “.

Of course, he began to play with everyone in Cuba. Opportunity has come and gone Mexico. There was more growth. As he himself says, from irritants to food. Daniel Rodriguez was fascinated by the genres he discovered besides Cuban timba and salsa.. It didn’t stop.

“So many hours of study, practice, that when you get sick of music, you don’t realize it.” The fact that “without realizing it” he arrived in the United States. Colorado, then Los Angeles.

Why Daniel stood out in Hollywood from all the rest.

It’s very rare to talk about yourself in a way that doesn’t sound harsh, but Cuban from The Isley Brothers It’s clear. “Passion, perseverance and love for what you do can make anything stand out. I love the versatility… -Today I’ll make a drum video for you. Other Independence Exercises. It seems simple, but there is always something that makes me curious, and it is. I am one of those who think: “If you spend an hour on this and that sounds good, imagine if you spent more on this…”

Mexico was a big step for Daniel. It was his first time as a real immigrant. Not just anyone, but someone who left their country for the sole purpose of continuing to consume, discover and create more sounds.

To my Cuba always come back His family, life and musical friends are still there. She doesn’t lose her accent or her customs, and even her son, who was born in Los Angeles, often travels to the island too. He is one of the Hispanics who does not stray from his roots.

“Wow, dude. Here we always talk about you, because when you went out, beating your chest like a drum, we thought you were crazy … ”, Daniil comments on the words of a childhood friend in Cuba.

barely stepped on Hollywoodthe conquest was immediate. To see him playing with someone is to turn your head and fix your eyes on the percussion, on his drums.. It’s a human machine and in your hands is an independence that is almost impossible to put into practice. Daniel Rodriguez also fell in love with the diversity of Los Angeles.. It was love at first sight.

played with Arturo Sandoval, Havana Charanga, Cecilia Claus, Camila Cabello, Colleen Hay (Men at work) and much more. He was also on the important stages of the gala concerts at the Grammy Awards, Latin American Music Awards and Billboard Awards.

In the midst of all this, he arrives at The Isley Brothers.. Like everything in the Cuban’s musical life, there was again a connection with his style. Immediately, one of the most important African American groups in the United States hired him.

Basically, to Daniel It was even difficult for him to communicate with them in English. Today, after almost 4 years, he has not only traveled all over the country with the tour of the group, but they have become his family. “I was worried about getting bigger by being around them. Isleys is a school of improvement for me. When they called me, I had a happy face**. I finally found a band to share so many musical ideas with! If you have a passion for what you do, you always want to learn a lot more.”.

Daniel participated in countless music recording sessions for film, television and streaming on Hollywood. If you want a sound full of colors that is almost impossible to match, but you know the sound is amazing, you should give it a call.

In addition, he is very clearly aware of his contribution: “I was trying to create a bridge between Latin American music and American music.” Based on his Afro-Cuban roots, Daniel’s musical language is sure to bring a new sound to Afro-American pop music.. In the famousCuban clave” into formats that no one has thought of or tried before: “The key has never been in me and never has been. Feel it, yeah… It’s now that I think about it, I’ve always tried to feel more.”

Daniel Rodriguez He also participates in independent projects. He has a group with other Cuban and Hispanic friends called “Hot”. He has several songs in which he sings alone, produces for other musicians and continues to create content on social networks and thereby educate new generations.

It can always be found in any bar, club and even at the most exclusive private events. Angels play with different bands and artists. And also somewhere else, for example, in the middle of a campsite. If there are instruments, he will play.

Music gave Daniel Rodriguez a new opportunity in life, a way to communicate, an opportunity to learn, as well as recognition. leaving like this Hispanic footprint in the music industry.

“I have a lot to thank music for. Thanks to her, I have overcome many obstacles. This is my language, my struggle, my survival and my pride.” Daniel R.

Author: Enlai Li Acevedo
Source: La Opinion

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest