The Cuban musician Luis Javier Prieto, Yakarta, has resumed his career after three years away from music, his family, and his friends. After going through a detoxification process for drug addiction, in October 2024, the death of Taiger prompted him to rethink his life, and he finally returned to recording, composing, and singing two months ago. "Drugs only distance you from the things you love; they only bring certain death, hospitals, or cemeteries. You feel dirty, and that’s why you isolate yourself."
"I completely separated music from my life for three years," he says in an interview granted this Friday to CiberCuba, where he hints that "there will probably be a tour for Chacal and Yakarta in the United States." Both artists made up one of the most successful duos in Cuban reggaeton and fusion music, but they parted ways in 2016 as their paths had taken different directions. Chacal continued solo and achieved musical success. Yakarta fell into despair, but now he is back and eager to start over. "I owe it to myself," he says, clarifying that he is serious and ready to do better this time.
At the moment, he has dates set for three concerts: April 4 in Houston, April 5 in Miami, and April 16 in Amsterdam, Florida. The Houston concert promises to be a test of fire as he steps back onto the stage after a long hiatus and he does not rule out feeling nervous again, just like during his first performance 15 years ago at the Guanímar club in Guanabo, east of Havana.
In this return to the stage, he will be joined by Chacal, Wow Popy, and Un Tititco, with whom he has recorded the song "Pa la calle sin blúmer," the first release following his comeback. He also has guests such as Kevincito el 13 and Dany Ome along with more surprises that he will reveal in the days leading up to his grand return.
A father of two children, the youngest just eight months old, Yakarta resumes his music career with clear ideas and the challenge of setting an example for the youth. "To those who are living on the streets, I hope they realize sooner rather than later that that world offers nothing and drives you away from your family. It’s the most unpleasant experience a human being can endure."
"I spent a lot of time doing things unrelated to my career, and about two months ago, I made the decision to return. One of the things that brought me back to reality was the death of Jose (El Taiger), a colleague of mine."
Enemy of categorizing his music, Yakarta is aware that the musical landscape has changed a lot during the three years he was away from the stage. Although he hasn't set foot in Cuba for about four years, he is clear that if things change, he would like to give a concert at La Tropical, to a Cuban audience that applauds in a different way: with their hearts.
Now he only has in mind that his followers appreciate this new musical proposal he brings, and he still needs to apply for American citizenship to navigate the pressure being experienced in Florida.
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