El Chispa y Los Cómplices, a Cuban popular music orchestra, was founded by Ignacio R. Cervantes (El Chispa), a Cuban composer and arranger who has served as its director since its inception. The group was born in the late 1990s, in 1998 to be exact, during the period known as the Timba boom.

The band is made up of 13 musicians. The group was originally called Los Cómplices, but the name was changed after their first album was recorded, taking its current name, a reference to the nickname its leader has had since childhood.

The group boasts its own unique style, characterized by a fusion of funk with cumbia undertones on the congas, led by the bass. They also combine traditional rhythms with musical genres such as jazz, soul, and rap. The songs they perform feature highly melodic harmonies.

In 1999, El Chispa y Los Cómplices released their first album, titled “New Pa’ Que Vea,” with the German record label Cuba Chévere. It consists of songs written by El Chispa and arrangements he composed. “New Pa’ Que Vea” was a huge success with the public, with many of its songs reaching the top 10 on Cuban radio and TV charts. It’s also worth noting that they sold more than 20,000 copies of the album.

El Chispa y Los Cómplices is a group that quickly earned a place among the country’s top acts, winning the favor of Cuban audiences. For this reason, and despite being a young orchestra, it was awarded the prize given by the Cuban Institute of Music (452 ​​Calle 15, corner of Calle F, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) as the Most Popular Nobel Orchestra of 2000.

In 2000 and 2001, they toured internationally, culminating in 2005. Peru was the starting point, and they also toured various countries across Europe. In the various venues where they performed, they offered concerts brimming with high musical quality, elevating popular Cuban music. During this period, they performed in significant international competitions.

In 2003, El Chispa and Los Cómplices released their second album, “Que Le Pasa a Mi Negra” (What’s Happening to My Black Woman?). This was followed in 2008 by “Adiviname” (Divine Name), which includes songs such as “Tú me robaste el corazón” (You Stole My Heart), “Te enamoraste sola” (You Fell in Love Alone), “Buscando mi mulata” (You’re Looking for My Mulatto), and “Te marchas” (You’re Leaving).

In 2009, under the EGREM label (1008 3rd Street between 10th and 12th Streets, Miramar, Playa, Havana), they began recording the orchestra’s fourth album, “Diez años de complicidad” (Ten Years of Complicity). This album features Haidé Milanés, Vania Borges, and Noelia Ofarrill.

El Chispa and Los Cómplices continue to work hard to create catchy dance music that showcases the best of contemporary Cuban popular music.

Discography: New Pa’ Que Vea (1999), What’s Wrong with My Black Girl (2003), Guess Me (2008), Ten Years of Complicity (2009).