Cimafunk | |
|---|---|
 Cimafunk performing in Cuba, 2018. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez 1989 (age 35–36) |
| Origin | Pinar del Rio, Cuba |
| Genres | Funk,electronic,Latin,R&B[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Years active | 2010-present |
| Labels | Terapia Productions |
Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez (born 1989), known professionally asCimafunk, is a Grammy-nominatedCuban musician known for mixingfunk andhip hop withCuban andAfro-Caribbean music.[1][2] His most recent album,Pa' Tu Cuerpa, was released in 2024.[3]
Rodriguez sang in church as a child, and originally planned to become a doctor like several members of his family. He attended medical school in his hometown ofPinar del Río for two years, but moved toHavana in 2010 to pursue music. He worked as a session arranger and producer for Cuban musicians likeRaúl Paz andLiuba María Hevia, and was also in the band Interactivo from 2014 to 2016.[1] After leaving that band, he adopted the name Cimafunk, referencing thecimarróns, escaped slaves who formed self-sustaining communities in Cuba during the colonial era.[4] His backing band featured a rotating cast of collaborators.[1] Cimafunk endeavored to blendAfro-Cuban andAfrican American music,[5] with a focus onfunk rhythms.[6]The New Yorker has since compared him toJames Brown.[7]
Cimafunk self-released the albumTerapia in 2017,[8] followed by the single "Me Voy" in 2018.[4]Billboard named him one of the "10 Latin Artists to Watch in 2019".[9] Cimafunk completed a successful tour of the United States and Europe in 2019, during which time he gained significant popularity in his native Cuba.[1] While on lockdown in 2020 during theCOVID-19 pandemic, he released several stand-alone singles and the EPCun Cun Prá.[10] In October 2021, he released the albumEl Alimento, featuring guest appearances byGeorge Clinton,Lupe Fiasco, andCeeLo Green.[5] BothRolling Stone[11] andNPR[12] namedEl Alimento as one of the best albums of the year. The album was nominated forBest Latin Rock or Alternative Album at the65th Annual Grammy Awards.[13][14]
Cimafunk moved his base of operations toNew Orleans, Louisiana in 2022, and his backing band was reorganized under the name La Tribu (Spanish for "The Tribe").[2] He released the albumPa' Tu Cuerpa in 2024.[3]
Studio albums
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