Ryan Rideau is a third year doctoral student in the African Diaspora Studies program. He has been in Havana, Cuba studying on identity formation through Cuban hip-hop music, and, more specifically, analyzing “the ways that racial discourses of blackness circulate through Havana’s hip-hop music scene”.

Despite claiming to frequently say ‘“I don’t understand,”’ Ryan’s research uncovered quite a bit. He was impressed by “the extent to which Cuban hip-hop music is influenced by the permanent movement of significant figures to other parts of the world.” Furthermore, although he did not anticipate doing so, in a short period of time, Ryan “fostered many strong relationships with some of Havana’s hip-hop artists.” Among them is “met is a rapper named Anderson, whose passion and good nature are evident in his music and his everyday actions.”

In terms of tourism, Ryan suggests visiting “Habana del Este, because although it may lie on the outskirts of Havana and lack a lot of places for tourists, there are many great people to meet and places to relax and get away from the bustling Havana life.” He is less enthusiastic about “Varadero, one of Cuba’s most visited tourist sections, because although the beaches are beautiful, the lack of Cuban people present takes away from enjoying all that Cuba has to offer.” Finally, for a bite to eat, Ryan recommends “stopping by Amigos, located in Havana’s Vedado secion for reasonably priced and tasty Cuban cuisine.”

To talk to Ryan more about his travels and research you may reach him at r_rideau (at) berkeley (dot) edu.