MIMA x International Dub Ambassadors

“ÑÁM-ÑÁM” finds acclaimed Puerto Rican singer- songwriter Yarimir Cabán Reyes, better known as MIMA, backed by up-and-coming reggae revivalists, the International Dub Ambassadors.

Having started out some 20 years ago as a backup vocalist in Puerto Rico’s most popular reggae export —Cultura Profética — MIMA now takes the lead, fronting one of the nation’s most exciting emerging groups. From this vantage point, MIMA, who identifies as queer, defiantly pushes against genre conventions by challenging reggae’s lack of representation throughout the years.

One characteristic that has distinguished the Dub Ambassadors’ body of work since the group’s inception is precisely their openness to collaborating with different vocalists. Their studio output features a revolving cast of reggae all-stars, from local genre heroes Carmelo Romero (Gomba Jahbari) and Bebo Dumont (Cultura Profética) to Akae Beka’s (and ex-Midnite) Vaughn Benjamin.

MIMA x International Dub Ambassadors debuted their first joint recording, “Dos amores”, back in March –a seis yumac played in the key of dub reggae rewritten by MIMA which culls from Puerto Rico’s folkloric jíbaro music canon.

Follow-up single, “ÑAM-ÑAM” – for years part of MIMA’s repertoire – transfers a combative text by poet Luis Palés Matos into the realm of reggae with deliciously devilish results.

The songs have been packaged together in a special vinyl release designed by Otura Mun (ÌFÉ, DJ Nature) consisting of two 7” records, including dub versions of both tracks.

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