Havana native Cimafunk, whose real name is Erik Rodriguez, is making waves in the music industry with his blend of funk, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and other genres. Recently, Cimafunk announced CimaFest, his first theatre festival which will take place at the Civic Theatre on April 29. The festival will bring together musicians he admires and listened to while growing up such as Angelika “Jelly” Joseph, Big Chief Juan Pardo, Brenda Navarete, and more. The festival will also include a group of local Cuban students playing alongside Cima. 

Cimafunk’s live performances are known for being high-energy and engaging. According to Cima, he prepares for his shows by making sure he has a well thought-out setlist tailored for his audience at that particular show. He also stated that one of his main goals of every show is that he, “wants his audiences to experience genuine feelings through his songs.”

Cimafunk’s experience as a musician in Cuba influenced his creative process and the messages he conveys through his music. He tells his listeners about his experiences and family stories passed down for generations. Cima wants his fans to, “feel good despite facing bad situations.” His music also addresses social and political issues and hopes to make people aware of problems or injustices.

Cimafunk started his music career in Havana, singing in a chorus and performing covers. He appeared in TV shows in Cuba and called bands to offer his help as a singer. He also collected cassettes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson,  James Brown, Cuban music, Reggae, and more. Cima says that he didn’t plan on blending different styles of music, but his life experiences led him to do so. More information on Cimafunk and CimaFest is available on his website.