Vocalist, composer, arranger, choir director and band leader, Daymé Arocena was born in Havana in 1992. She is a superb and charismatic vocalist. Her style combines Afro-Cuban influences, jazz, and Cuban neo-soul.
Daymé was accepted at nine years old into one of Cuba’s most prestigious music schools, and studied a choir-directing course rooted in Western classical tradition. At the same time, she grew up influenced by Afro-Cuban musical and religion at home. She started performing semi-professionally when she was eight years old. Later, at the age of 14, she became the lead singer of the band Los Primos, and in her 20s she helped create the all-female jazz ensemble Alami.
Daymé Arocena attracted widespread attention in 2015, with her international debut album, Nueva Era.
The Cubafonía album, released in 2017, includes a loose, steady-moving changüí titled “Valentine.”
In November 2023, Dayme released the single “American Boy” along with the announcement of her upcoming album, Al-Kemi. Dayme said about “American Boy”: “I wrote it ten years ago, but thought it was too much of a pop song. In an indirect way, the music industry had shown me that I wasn’t welcome in that world. There isn’t a Black woman like me who enjoys the kind of success usually reserved for Rosalía or KAROL G. The image of music genres like salsa or bachata has been painfully distorted throughout the years. You are supposed to clone and fuse yourself in order to conceal your Black or indigenous side. They told me I didn’t fit in that world, but I’m going to prove them wrong.”
When Daymé decided to switch gears and record her fourth studio album, Alkemi in Puerto Rico with producer Eduardo Cabra (Calle 13), she never imagined that she would end up moving there. As of 2023, Daymé live sin San Juan.
Alkemi is a fusion of neosoul singing, Afro-Caribbean beats and engaging pop.
Today, Daymé is a highly respected singer, composer, and choir director.
Discography:
Nueva Era (Brownswood Recordings, 2015)
Cubafonía (Brownswood Recordings, 2017)
Sonocardiogram (Brownswood Recordings, 2019)
Alkemi (Brownswood Recordings, 2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.