1-”Hip-Hop in Cuba: A Revolution Within the Revolution”
In this lecture Fernández Díaz maps the genesis of rap cubano, and its trajectory from the 90’s through to the present, further exploring how the social, political and economic dynamics of the 90’s- marked by the fall of the European Socialist Blocks and the strength of the U.S blockade- influenced the birth of Hip-Hop in Cuba.
This lecture also examines the place of the rap cubano movement within the landscape of Cuban national culture and heritage, and its similarities to other Hip-Hop movements throughout the African Diaspora (U.S.A, Brazil & Puerto Rico). Through music samples, visual imagery and video clips he exposes the revolutionary elements and Cuban particularities which distinguish Cuban Hip-Hop’s sound and lyrics, as well the spiritual, activist and social elements that makes this movement itself a revolution within the Revolution.

2- “Black on Both Sides”.
This lecture explores race and marginality in Cuba as well the impact of African-based religions on Cuban society and culture and their boomerang effects on the U.S. Fernández Díaz brings a deep examination of the intersections between African-American and Afro-Cuban culture and the interactions between both cultures since the XIX century.  He also reflects on the impact of Obama’s success on Afro-Cubans on the island and in exile, and what this represents for their future.  Finally, he shares and analyzes his own experiences as an Afro-Cuban who has lived on both sides of the Florida straits.

3- Cuban Hip-Hop: The Aftermath.
A sneak peak at Ariel’s documentary work in progress, Cuban Hip-Hop: The Aftermath.  This film reunites Cuban rappers who have immigrated to the United States and Canada over the last ten years, and are today part of Cuba’s musical and cultural legacy around the globe.  Featured topics include: artists’ reasons for emigrating; their current body of work; and the subliminal framing used by Cuban cultural officials and institutions to shut down one of the most powerful black social-cultural movements ever born in the island.  This documentary will unveil the current conditions of the movement, concentrating on the dislocation and immigration of the most prominent members of the movement.

4- Latinos Unidos!: The Face of Hip- Hop in Latin America?
Latinos Unidos connects the dots between different Hip-Hop movements in Latin America, and explores similarities and differences across the Americas.  An A-Z of the “who’s who” of Latin Hip-Hop and their role as agent of change in their communities.  Fernández Díaz shows that while Hip-Hop may be dead in mainstream America, it remains a dynamic force in Latin America and Latino communities in the U.S.

Rare and unique audio/video materials from his personal archives collected over 15 years supplement all lectures.  Each Lecture has duration of proximally 1 hour, followed by Q & A.