Featured

Don Pedro Albizu Campos; Genius revolutionary, Boricua Hero (second revised edition)

Many don't know his name. He was the president of the Partido Nationalista Puerto Rico. He called for armed revolution, simultaneous uprisings in towns around Puerto Rico, and an attack on La Fortaleza. But we have to ask, why? Why did he do these things? Was he a psychopath who tried to violently overthrow the United States? Or was this born from a profound need for extreme actions? We cannot fully understand him or his valiant fight for independence without understanding the circumstances from which he evolved. Some call him a terrorist, and others call him a hero. This is the story of Pedro Albizu Campos, known affectionately by many as Don Pedro.

Gracias A La Vida: an ode to life

This is part of a series of short stories I have written recently. I felt it was prescient to share it now as it deals with themes of humanity, the environment, joy, grief and hope. I hope you enjoy it! This is a completely fictional story that takes inspiration from many real life events.  “I love these kinds …

Continue reading Gracias A La Vida: an ode to life

His Voice Was More of a Storm Than a Man

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anani-kaike/episodes/Bonus-episode-His-Voice-Was-More-of-a-Storm-Than-a-Man-remembering-and-reflecting-on-Don-Pedro-Albizu-Campos-130-years-after-his-birth-e26aioe Listen here Inspiration doesn't strike on demand and poems do not appear just because you want them to. This one is no exception. Over the past few years I yearned to write a poem about Don Pedro Albizu Campos, I even wrote a few that were reasonably good. However none captured the essence of …

Continue reading His Voice Was More of a Storm Than a Man

Recipe for Disaster! A history of colonialism and environmental degradation has created tragedy in Puerto Rico

These photos are tragic and alarming, people have lost so much, their homes, their livelihoods and some have even lost their lives; to them, we send our deepest condolences.  However what concerns me very deeply is, Puerto Rico’s topsoil coloring the waters that raged throughout the island earlier this week. Those waters tell another story …

Continue reading Recipe for Disaster! A history of colonialism and environmental degradation has created tragedy in Puerto Rico

Luis Muñoz Marin: Puerto Rico’s Parasitic Governor

Luis Munoz Marin rose from being, in all estimations, one big failure to being a senator and later the governor of Puerto Rico. It was quite a feat, but what he did with his newly acquired power was another story. Marin declared martial law to quell the 1950 Nationalist uprisings, had two towns in Puerto …

Continue reading Luis Muñoz Marin: Puerto Rico’s Parasitic Governor

Vidal Santiago Diaz: How one barber stood up to U.S colonialism

On October 30, 1950 Vidal Santiago Diaz and 41 Police and National guardsmen engaged in a 3 hour gunfight. The police and guardsmen were convionced there were at least 20 to 30 Nationalists inside. Here is the story of how one barber held 41 heavily armed police and National guardsmen at bay for 3 hours, was shot 5 times, once at point blank range in the head and still survived.

Ep. 31 In conversation with El Maestro, Eddie Palmieri, on music with social consciousness, his creative process, 1978’s ‘Lucumi Macumba Voodoo’, Aristotle as a point of reference, and so much more

L-R Hatuey (my little brother), Mr. Eddie Palmieri and I "Remember that our music is the most exciting and complex, and it puts you to dance, not to sleep!"Eddie Palmieri https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-of-the-water-lily-our-stories/id1584164088?i=1000540225815 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LL0fVSMBmY9fNWn3m9gYe?si=6wU_g03_Q4qpVAlZUVKxUA https://anchor.fm/anani-kaike/episodes/Ep--31-In-conversation-with-El-Maestro--Eddie-Palmieri-on-music-with-social-consciousness--his-creative-process--1978s-Lucumi-Macumba-Voodoo--Aristotle-as-a-point-of-reference--and-so-much-more-e1gd11h/a-a6e2sqa Last week I had the greatest honor of meeting the incredible Maestro, musical genius and cultural icon, Eddie Palmieri, ahead of his …

Continue reading Ep. 31 In conversation with El Maestro, Eddie Palmieri, on music with social consciousness, his creative process, 1978’s ‘Lucumi Macumba Voodoo’, Aristotle as a point of reference, and so much more

El Ciego Maravilloso: The Story of Arsenio Rodríguez

Whether he invented Mambo, laid the groundwork for Salsa or revitalized són, his contributions are undeniably seminal. This is a story of a phenomenal musician whose compositions are classics that laid the foundation for Salsa. It is a story filled with myths and half truths. This is the story of Arsenio Rodríguez. Ignacio Arsenio Travieso …

Continue reading El Ciego Maravilloso: The Story of Arsenio Rodríguez

Roberto Roena (1940-2021) has joined the ancestors

Percussionist, bandleader, dancer and founder of 'Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound' joined the ancestors earlier today at the age of 81. From his works with Cortijo Y Su Combo and The Fania All Stars to his incredible 'Roberto Y Su Apollo Sound', Roberto's albums are incredible examples of classic Salsa with unique innovation. Buen …

Continue reading Roberto Roena (1940-2021) has joined the ancestors