A hip-hop group.
The Trío HEL was founded in 1996 composed by three audacious young musicians:
Ernesto Méndez (soloist and arranger): Ernesto Méndez was born on August 14, 1978 in Quiviván, Havana. He graduated at the Elementary School of Music in Güira de Melena on trumpet studies. He has a wonderful voice and plays the guitar, the piano and the percussion.
Humberto Brito (vocalist and composer): Humberto Brito was born on July 31, 1978. He is Bachelor in Primary Education and, later on, he entered the world of music. He plays the guitar and has some piano knowledge.
Lioni Veranes (vocalist and composer): Lioni Veranes was born on January 25, 1978 in Marianao municipality, City of Havana. When he was in High School, he began singing and playing the guitar, though his main skill is composition.
The songs interpreted by the group are composed by its members. The popularity they enjoy today has been mainly attai
ned by the support they received from Edesio Alejandro, the prominent Cuban musician.
The theme entitled "Aguita de coco" was a resounding hit in Cuba during 2001 and 2002 and their version of "Guajira Guantanamera", included in the second CD of the group, was a record-braking bestseller in Cuba.
Regarding the work of this trio, the Times Magazine has stated: "...they have managed to fuse several genres like the hip-hop, rap, funky and reggae with some genres of the Cuban dancing music, specially the son, salsa and bolero which has resulted in a new type of music with international characteristics".
