Ariel Fernandez Diaz
Havana-born Ariel Fernandez aka Asho 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: “Fernandez 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.”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 powered audio system. As DJ Afro, and later DJ Asho, he has DJed in Havana’s premier nightclubs and venues, including the landmark Teatro Nacional (National Theater). 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 lack of 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 Caiman 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 Corner). This humble attempt at creating an intergenerational dialogue and cultural change and 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 from around the world, including Anonimo Consejo, Obsesion, 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 National Cuban Hip Hop Festival in Havana and the historical performance of Hip-hop band, The Roots, in December of 2002. 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 has 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. In just two years, Ariel managed to become a Sales/A&R Representative for underground Hip-hop record label and distribution company Fat Beats Inc.; joined the Board of Advisors of the International Hip-Hop Exchange (IHX)and Planet Hip Hop Festival (PHH) at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and co-producing the International Hip-hop Latino Festival in New York. Ariel is also a long time affiliate of the Black August Project developed by the The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in New York City. He is currently working on writing and films projects, while working to bridge the gap between Cuban and international youth communities.
