CuCu Diamantes

Born of Spanish, African, Chinese and French heritage, Cucu Diamantes is a fascinating singer-songwriter and actress from Cuba. Together with producer and guitarrist Andres Levin, Diamantes co-founded the sizzling-hot Latin fusion band, Yerba Buena, and was directly responsible for garnering major recognition and popularity for the band, including a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album, as well as collaborations with artists like Dave Matthews, Ray Charles, Juanes and Celia Cruz.

After 8 years as Yerba Buena's principal vocalist and songwriter, Diamantes is releasing her first solo record, Cuculand in February 2009. Smart, sexy and fierce, Cucu Diamantes' music is an intoxicating mix of NYC downtown funk and old school Cuban glamour and passion. Diamantes' talented band is comprised of a full range of horns, percussion and guitar, giving a big, electric sound to her live performances. Diamantes's songs have appeared on soundtracks for NBC's show "Heroes," Mexican film "Ladron Que Roba Ladron" (with Los Tucanes de Tijuana) and "Feel The Noize" (with Vico C and Praz). Cucu has also appeared as an actress on such films as "El Cantante" and "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," as well as the TV series "Third Watch" and a recent MTV Latin America tribute to The Cure.

Cucu Diamantes is also known for her socially conscious efforts. She was a creative force behind the benefit albums "Red Hot + Latin" and "Red Hot + Riot," and has donated her time to charitable causes such as Cielo Latino and other efforts to combat AIDS and cancer in the Latino community. Diamantes was a key collaborator in an immensely popular Spanish language video, "Podemos Con Obama" in support of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, collaborating with artists such as Alejandro Sanz, John Leguizamo, Paulina Rubio, Don Omar, Jessica Alba and George Lopez. Cucu Diamantes is also a spokesperson for Amnesty International's "Protect the Human" and "Stop Violence Against Women" campaigns.