Cucu Diamantes is a

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

nominated Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. Her 2009 debut album ''Cuculand'' received a Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative Song, "Más Fuerte". Diamantes is also cofounder and lead singer of Grammy nominated New York City fusion band

Yerba Buena Yerba buena or hierba buena is the Spanish name for a number of aromatic plants, most of which belong to the mint family. ''Yerba buena'' translates as "good herb". The specific plant species regarded as ''yerba buena'' varies from region to regi ...

. A frequent collaborator, Diamantes has worked with Carlinhos Brown,

Yotuel Romero Yotuel Omar Manzanares Romero (born October 6, 1976), mononymously known as Yotuel, is a Cuban singer, actor, and current lead singer and co-writer of the 2003 Latin Grammy Award-winning Platinum album-selling rap group Orishas. Among other rec ...

, Lenine,

Fat Boy Slim Norman Quentin Cook (born Quentin Leo Cook, 31 July 1963), also known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, is an English musician, DJ, and record producer who helped to popularise the big beat genre in the 1990s. In the 1980s, Cook was the bassist f ...

, Meshell Ndegeocello,

Vico C Luis Armando Lozada Cruz (born September 8, 1971), known by his stage name Vico C, is an American rapper and record producer. Regarded as the founding father of reggaeton, Vico C has played an influential role in the development of Latin American ...

Les Nubians Les Nubians is a French musical duo, composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart from Paris, France. In 1985, the sisters moved with their parents to Chad. Seven years later, they returned to Bordeaux, France, and began singing a cappella, p ...

, Rossy de Palma, John Leguizamo, Paulina Rubio,

Aleks Syntek Raúl Alejandro Escajadillo Peña (born 29 September 1969), known by his stage name, Aleks Syntek, is a Mexican singer and songwriter. He has earned nine nominations for the Latin Grammy Awards, a Grammy nomination, five nominations for the MT ...

, and Beto Cuevas.

Early life

Of Spanish, African, Chinese and French heritage, Diamantes was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Diamantes began her musical career singing backup vocals for a salsa band in Rome, where she was studying art. After finishing her studies, she moved to New York City to pursue her music career.Riera, Alejandro. "Diamond in the Rough " Cafe Latino Lifestyle Magazine March 2010: 65-66.

Yerba Buena

Together with

Andres Levin Andrés Levin is a Venezuelan-born American record producer, bandleader, filmmaker, recording engineer and philanthropist. After several nominations, Levin won a Grammy Award in 2009 for his production of the ''In the Heights'' cast recording. Hi ...

, Diamantes founded the band Yerba Buena. The band's debut, ''

President Alien President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese f ...

'', was nominated for a 2004 Grammy. Yerba Buena has received praise as one of New York's most influential Latin Fusion bands of all time.

CuCuLand

In March 2009, Diamantes released her Grammy nominated solo debut ''Cuculand''. Diamantes described the album as a "classy, tragic-comic theatrical cabaret album mixed with erCuban roots and New York edge." The album combines Diamantes' broad musical experiences with causes central to her social conscious, including love from a woman's point of view and themes of personal independence. Diamantes specifically cites her aunt as an inspiration and source of strength in forming her personal identity that is a focal point on the album. '' The Washington Post'' wrote that "''Cuculand'' has a narrative that reveals Cucu's pride and vulnerabilities, her heartbreak and what she's overcome."

Amor Cronico: The Film

In 2012 Cucu's feature-length film premiered at SXSW. Directed by

Jorge Perugorria Jorge is a Spanish and Portuguese given name. It is derived from the Greek name Γεώργιος (''Georgios'') via Latin ''Georgius''; the former is derived from (''georgos''), meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker". The Latin form ''Georgius'' ...

, produced by

and Sarah Green, Amor Cronico follows CuCu across Cuba in a historic comedic road movie.

Philanthropic work

Diamantes has participated in several artistic productions and events that advocate social justice and political activism. Diamantes performed in Amnesty International's "Price of Silence" video, making a plea for universal human rights. Diamantes also performed in the "Podemos Con Obama" video, inspired by

will.i.am William James Adams Jr. (born March 15, 1975), known professionally as will.i.am (pronounced "Will-I-am"), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. He is the founding and lead member of the musical group Black Eyed Peas. ...

's "Yes We Can" video, in support of Barack Obama. She also participated in the Obama Latin Inaugural Ball.

Red Hot and Cuba

Diamantes is a spokesperson for

Amnesty International Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says it has more than ten million members and sup ...

's Protect the Human and Stop Violence Against Women campaigns. In 2009, she performed at a peace concert in Cuba to over a million fans. She is a co-founder and artistic ambassador for Music Has No Enemies, a nonprofit designed to spread social justice through film and music.

Selected discography

Solo

* Cuculand (2009)

Yerba Buena

*Follow Me (2007) *Island Life (2005) *President Alien (2003)

Collaborations

* Heroes Soundtrack, "Maya's Theme," (2008) * Panoptica Orchestra NPO, "Tu Sabes" (2010)

References

External links

Mas Fuerte Video

Diamantes at the Obama Latin Inaugural Gala
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diamantes, Cucu Living people Cuban musicians Latin music songwriters Year of birth missing (living people)