Roberto Lange, who performs as HELADO NEGRO (Spanish for ‘black ice cream’), grew up in South Florida in the 80s, the son of Ecuadorian-American parents. If his music is any indicator to his childhood, it was presumably a wash of tropical heat, humidity and hazy beachside hangs.
The song doesn’t quite conjure up images of militant Latino men, as the title would suggest. Instead it’s a softly purred confirmation and celebration of his identity. Maybe it would fit better amongst a Sunday afternoon peace protest, as it sounds like a whispered ethereal daydream of a track, urging Negro’s fellow young and proud compadres to just take a step back and chill.
The lyrics are pretty much exclusively a softly mumbled repetition of ‘we are young and we’re proud’ – it’s a laidback and lethargic revolutionary chant, the likes of which Che, Bolívar, Castro or Chavez never heard. It’s woozy and bewitching, a track that floats by so easily you find yourself continually clicking restart.
Latino strains sneak through in Negro’s vocal performance, the softly pattered drumming and the seductive hints of strings. The hushed electronic thuds and dreamy synth samples set a steady pace for his sun-soaked people to walk to, as he continues to murmur that ‘we are young and we’re proud’. But don’t mistake the laidback tone for indifference; this is a song that recognises a community ready to stand together when needed.
Listen to the sultry lullaby below. Then, go and find a hammock to swing in.
Words by Katie Rowley
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