Six years passed without releasing an EP, choosing to renew the music single by single. The wait ends as Cleo Pathfinder, an Alicante-based artist born in Cuba in 1991, unveils whirlpool. This record marks a turning point in his career, signaling a new approach to composing and recording that nods to classic rap while embracing fresh textures.
So who is Cleo Pathfinder? A quick look back at his discography helps answer that question. His album Corruption, released in 2017, was produced with the involvement of a renowned Alicante rap figure and featured local collaborations with artists like Nite Huertas and Luisaker. The work blends old-school phrases with a drum-centered rhythm, creating tracks that remain key references in Cuba’s hip hop scene. The tone is bold, the energy unmistakable.
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Before this moment, Cleo showed his vocal and writing talents in other projects. He released Escape Therapy in 2011 and This Is My Game in 2015, and he has joined forces with respected figures in the scene for live performances, sharing stages with artists such as Jota Mayúscula, Rafael Lechowski, Kaze, Juaninacka, Shotta, Lauren Nine, and Arkano from Alicante.
Yet the current work feels more serious and introspective. The Cuban artist living in Alicante presents a refreshed persona at Vorágine. The five-track collection envelops listeners in a mood where unrest and hope walk hand in hand, and where emotional duality finds a voice amid chaos.
As Cleo explains, the most classic rap continues to expand, and he remains part of that evolution. While his early style leaned toward purer rap and bombastic beats, he began exploring other urban sounds. He has even started taking singing lessons to incorporate more R&B into his music, hinting that the EP will lean more toward singing and will not feel as overwhelming as before.
To reach broader audiences while honoring the old style, Cleo Pathfinder crafted tracks with distinctly American influences, as heard in songs like Under Pressure and Black Hellebore, which blend rap with an R&B sensibility. He reflects on a recent shift in his approach, admitting that his taste broadened beyond the strict rap tradition. He notes a growing openness to different kinds of music and the new ideas they inspire, a shift that he describes as brain chemistry changing the soundscape he creates.
The EP centers on the mind and its consequences, with a clearly articulated exploration of anxiety and stress. The collection invites listeners into the inner conversations that accompany mental states, portraying a journey through the various stages Cleo’s mind traverses, all woven into the five tracks.
Alicante school
Urban culture in Alicante has a long history, with Nach standing out on the international stage and drawing inspiration from improvisers like Arkano or Zasko Master. Other local projects such as Da Zoo Bros, Santiuve, Seven, Heavy Metal, and Cooking Skills have left their mark on the national scene. Today, however, the scene feels less prominent, and Cleo Pathfinder attributes this in part to a lack of unity among local musicians.
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Alicante, once a beacon, may need a renewed moment. Cleo Pathfinder suggests that progress comes from greater collaboration and less rivalry within country rap. He points to the Canary Islands as an example of a supportive regional network where each success helps everyone rise. He believes that a shared cake can feed many, regardless of whether artists pursue money or passion. The path forward involves more unity, not competition.
To foster collaboration, Cleo Pathfinder helped form Origami Bangers with artists Bha, Santiuve, DJ Force, Txel del Beat, and others. The collective plans to release an album within the year that preserves the group’s core essence while embracing modern influences from other genres. The goal is a 100 percent Alicante collaboration that changes what a provincial scene can achieve.
Corporate support
Turning local talent into a wider phenomenon requires backing from institutions. Cleo Pathfinder argues that the city council and provincial authorities should do more to champion urban music. He envisions programs and contests that provide the financial support needed to release music, shoot videos, organize concerts, and sustain venues. He emphasizes that adequate funding should come from a sustained public commitment rather than sporadic projects.
Cleo explains that the six-year gap was not driven by money but by a lack of motivation. He describes a period when career focus felt out of reach, despite writing and recording. He chose not to release anything until he found material that truly convinced him. A renewed sense of purpose came from meeting people who offered new perspectives and from the national rap scene providing strong inspiration.
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The whirlpool of recent years has sparked a new approach to music that invites a larger audience. Cleo Pathfinder believes that crossing into broader stylistic territory helps reach new listeners, noting that genres like pierce and Afro-beat can attract diverse crowds. He has started singing lessons and is learning basic piano to better collaborate with producers, signaling a readiness to expand his musical toolkit.
With this fresh momentum, Cleo Pathfinder faces a bright horizon. He views the whirlpool as a small but meaningful nudge, expecting a larger impact next year. In 2024 he aims to raise his profile across both national and state levels, revealing more of who he is as an artist and what he stands for.