Odaymara Cuesta and Olivia Prendes were born and raised in Cuba, artivistas, rappers and hip-hop artists, independent musicians, poets, theaters and designers representing women, immigrants and non-white queer people of color as a central part of global change. Formed in Havana in 1999 as a trio, Krudas has become a duo since 2004 and has brought their raw point of view to the world. In 2006 they migrated to Austin, Texas in the United States and have been acclaimed internationally for their representations, recordings, speeches and tours in Europe, North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean to this day. Krudas’ repertoire includes Hip Hop Cubensi, Dancehall, old-school rhythms and new rhythms of the entire world intertwined with their extraordinary and rebellious hard feminist and Afro-Cuban lyrics and their indomitable voices, sounds, dances and energies to empower communities. They are internationally recognized and have been presented throughout Latin America and the United States. In Cuba, raw (kruda) means uncooked, unprocessed, unrefined, natural, real. Cubensi is a word related to native species of Caribbean areas. Krudas Cubensi: Krudas of the Caribbean.

*** En Español***

Odaymara Cuesta y Olivia Prendes son nacidas y criadas en Cuba, artivistas, raperas y hiphoperas, músicos independientes, poetas, teatreras y diseñadoras en representación de mujeres, inmigrantes y personas queer no blancas (o de color, como se dice comúnmente en Estados Unidos) como parte central del cambio mundial. Formadas en la Habana en 1999 como un trío, Krudas se ha convertido en un dúo desde 2004 y le ha traído su punto de vista crudo al mundo. En 2006 migraron a Austin, Texas en Estados Unidos y han sido aclamadas internacionalmente por sus representaciones, grabaciones, discursos y giras en Norteamérica, Centroamérica, Suramérica y el Caribe hasta el día de hoy. El repertorio de las Krudas incluye Hip Hop Cubensi, Dancehall, ritmos viejos y nuevos del mundo entero entrelazados con sus extraordinarias y rebeldes líricas duras feministas y afrocubanas y sus indomables voces, sonidos, bailes y energías para empoderar comunidades. Son reconocidas internacionalmente y se han presentado por toda Latinoamérica y Estados Unidos. En Cuba, cruda (kruda) significa no cocida, no procesada, no refinada, natural, real. Cubensi es una palabra relacionada con especies nativas de áreas caribeñas. Krudas Cubensi: las crudas del Caribe.

Deb has created the documentary film Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four. In 1997 and 1998 four young, Latina lesbians from San Antonio, Texas were wrongfully convicted and sentenced to prison. All were alleged to have gang-raped two girls. An investigator speculated they were involved in “Satanic-related sexual abuse,” and their sexuality was used against them during the trial. They have been released from prison. This project documents their story.

Deborah S. Esquenazi is a Texas-based documentary film and radio producer, instructor, and video artist committed to using media to reveal social inequities, rally support for important causes, and create probing, powerful documentary work.

Southwest of Salem has received international attention for its investigation into this controversial criminal case, and been mentioned in Forbes Magazine, New York Times, Texas Observer, among others. This film was supported by the Sundance Institute for Documentary Film Program, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Initiative, Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, and Chicken & Egg Pictures.

Deb is also curating a retrospective exhibition on the multi-media of Bruce Jackson, the renowned folklorist, photographer and filmmaker who photographed the bygone era of slave plantation turned prison farm circa 1960’s. She is also collaborating with the renowned Fusebox Festival ThinkEAST project, supported by Artplace America, on an experimental series of teen-led short films that explore issues of Latino identity, criminality, and cultural equity.