This thesis focuses on the authenticity of Cuban music and compares the internal and external perception of this music. It does this by studying both several Cuban music groups, albums and songs...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the authenticity of Cuban music and compares the internal and external perception of this music. It does this by studying both several Cuban music groups, albums and songs such as Buena Vista Social Club and La Charanga Habanera. This thesis will make its argument in three chapters. The first chapter studies and critically analyzes the BVSC album and documentary in order to discuss foreign perceptions of Cuba. It compares BVSC to a similar music project named ‘Black August Hip-Hip Collective (BAHHC), which was made during the same time and was also founded by an American. The main argument of this chapter is that the foreign perception of Cuba is incorrect and biased. The second chapter examines the internal view of Cuba. It studies and critically analyzes a Cuban music group named ‘La Charange Habanera’, who released an album in the same year as BVSC, and is quite famous within Cuba. This chapter will then compare La Charanga Habanera to both the BVSC and the BAHHC projects. The main argument of this chapter is that the internal view on Cuba differs largely than the foreign perception. The last chapter will compare all three music projects and albums and will attempt to investigate and understand the extent to which all three projects can be seen as ‘authentic’ Cuban music. It will argue that the BVSC is authentic, despite its Euro centrism, the BAHHC less so and La Charanga Habanera is most authentic. The conclusion will provide an answer to the research question and will provide a further discussion on the material that has been debated throughout the paper.Show less