Fat Joe has offered apologies to those who interpreted a homage to Santería as an insult in his new video “Yes” featuring Cardi B and Anuel AA.
Released Monday (Oct. 7) the video, directed by Eif Rivera, features stereotypical music video troupes like women twerking under neon fluorescent lights. In addition to standout verses from Cardi B and Anuel, the visual includes a moment where a group of women takes part in the Lucumí religion. It’s paired with the song’s sample, “Aguanile” by the late salsa legend Héctor Lavoe. The moment is fairly quick but this didn’t stop many from raising a brow to it.
As Joe promoted the video on Twitter, one user called him out for allegedly appropriating spiritual practice. “You disrespected the Lukumi religion. How are you going to take our religious imagery and sacred music and pervert it with “Ass up face down?” the user said. “Falta de respeto the Orishas will take everything away from you one by one! There was no reason for this.”
Joe explained how it was an essential blessing to the intro and Lavoe, who also practiced Santería.
“We tried to pay respect at the intro of the video everyone who took part of this video knew the concept,” he said. “We have nothing but respect Hip hop has always taken samples and flipped it into something new I tried to pay homage. Sorry, you took offense, I understand.”
We tried to pay respect at the intro of the video everyone who took part of this video knew the concept, we have nothing but respect Hip hop has always taken samples and flipped it into something new i tried to pay homage sorry you took offense i understand https://t.co/R6E2dgljmA
— FAT JOE (@fatjoe) October 9, 2019
Hailed as a salsa pioneer in New York during the golden age of the genre, Lavoe was a beloved musician who helped popularize salsa with albums like Cosa Nuestra, De Ti Depende and Comedia. “Yes'” sample “Aguanile” comes from his eighth album, El Juicio.
Watch “Yes” and the homage of sorts below.