Don’t tell Miami’s colorful twosome Cristy “Cuci” Amador and Tony Smurphio to play house. They’ll think you’re crazy. Since Amador and Smurphio bonded in 2006 over Cuban pastries and partying until sunrise, their group Afrobeta has been electrifying Miami with wildly infectious club anthems, which can best be described as playful electronica injected with the energy of an X-fueled raver. Even their live shows are like explosions in space as Amador, transforming from new wave princess to robot among a shower of confetti hearts, raps and screams “this is the part where you clap motherfuckers!” Cartoony yet fierce, Afrobeta isn’t afraid to get the party started. With a cult following and a new album perfectly titled Do You Party?, Afrobeta is set on making their mark. With performances at Ultra Music Festival, Burning Man, and Space Ibiza, 2010 officially belongs to them. As Afrobeta prepares to perform throughout the country, we caught up with the dynamic duo to discuss their favorite party playlist, what it was like working with Calle 13, and how they’re taking over the world.
nocheLatina: I read that Afrobeta was created as ‘a means to attain on the ultimate form of artistic self expression.’ How did a love for songwriting and Cuban culture bring you two together?
Cuci Amador: Tony shared his love of Van Halen and all things psychedelic with me. And at 5AM when I was really hungry after a long night, he was getting out of a gig so he was my partner-in-crime on the 24 hour Cuban cafeteria mission. I was able to share my poetry and musical ideas with Tony and he developed them into songs! I lucked out finding the best collaborator.
nocheLatina: Cuci, I read that you initially wanted to be an Olympic skater. Why was it important for you to pursue music instead?
Cuci Amador: I've always been a Jack-of-all trades. I do what feels good and keep going when I feel forward momentum.
nocheLatina: How was Myspace essential to Afrobeta’s success?
Cuci Amador: Myspace had a competition in Miami that we were thrust into because we were gigging really hard locally. We won and it gave us our first opportunity to play outside of Miami, in New York at the Mercury Lounge. Also, the Calle 13's ‘Electro Movimiento’ video was initially released exclusively on Myspace.
nocheLatina: Do you face any competition with other Latin artists in Miami? How do you overcome those challenges of possible jealousy from other Latin artists trying to make it big in Miami?
Cuci Amador: There are so many sick players in Miami. The musicians that migrate here from Latin America and the Caribbean are the best of the best. We are blessed to have so much talent around us in Miami. Our parents are Cuban, but we are American-born so the influence is there, but because of the genre and the language it would be hard to define it as ‘Latin’ music. As far as jealously in a small local scene, like Miami, I would define it more as competition. I think it's been really encouraging for us to see people we know who played in the same little dives we did make it big and win Grammy's.
nocheLatina: Cuci, what was it like being a Latina collaborating with Residente and Visitante?
Cuci Amador: It was cool because I spoke in English and Spanish when I met Residente like we do here in Miami, you know, Spanglish! But he vibed my flavor in English, which is why the English stuff I wrote is on the song. I surprised myself because I hadn't freestyled in a while. I was able to write some stuff on the fly in the studio while hearing the track for the first time. It was inspiring.
nocheLatina: Tony, since you were Pitbull’s touring keyboardist, any plans of a Pit/Afrobeta collaboration?
Tony Smurphio: Who knows? Anything can happen.
nocheLatina: What were some of the most crucial themes/ideas you wanted to explore in Do You Party?
Cuci Amador: I wanted people out there to know that a party is your idea of a good time. It's different for everyone. And everyone has encountered that random dude that's asked you, ‘Hey, do you party?’ What is he referring to?
nocheLatina: Describe your wildest show.
Cuci Amador: For me, the first time I heard the crowd sing back the lyrics when we didn't really have a proper release out there was amazing!
nocheLatina: How was recording Do You Party? easier or more difficult than performing on stage?
Cuci Amador: Live shows are always more fun. We are new to the process of translating our live sound to recording, so it's been a challenge.
nocheLatina: Why is Do You Party? the perfect fiesta soundtrack?
Cuci Amador: It's got a fun tempo to dance to and bouncy sounds!
nocheLatina: What’s on your favorite party mixtape?
Cuci Amador: Right now I'm a devotee of Big Boi's new album! It's so freakin' funky!
nocheLatina: The Latin alternative music scene has greatly expanded over the years, all while gaining international exposure. Why do you think this is the case?
Cuci Amador: Duh! Latinos are taking over! But seriously, we are officially the largest ethnic minority in the U.S. There's just more of a natural audience out there now.
nocheLatina: What are some of your upcoming projects?
Cuci Amador: Besides slowly creating a coup with my fellow Latinos to take over the world, um breakfast?
