Hawthorne-based singer-songwriter, Cuco, held a special one-night premiere for the music video of his single “Dreamin,'” featured in the deluxe edition of Ridin‘. The premiere was held at Brain Dead Studios on November 11th. The event featured a screening of the video, a Q&A with Cuco and director AG Rojas, and a meet-and-greet. All proceeds from the ticket sales supported the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
Cuco is known not only for his indie pop music but also for his outspoken activism, particularly on human rights and immigrant rights. Since the first reports of ICE raids hitting the streets of Los Angeles, Cuco has used his platform and social media to advocate for the community. Once again, the Latin Grammy nominated artist used his platform this past week for a good cause. Tickets were limited, two sold out showcases back to back with all proceeds donated to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, better known as CHIRLA. CHIRLA is California’s largest immigrant rights organization that has advocated for the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees since 1986.
Photo credit: Conny Chavez
The event was kicked off by a short speech from moderator and host Hector Zaldivar, columnist of LA Taco and activist. Zaldivar introduced the music video as a short love story. Within minutes the theater darkened and the music video began. A beautiful and emotionally intense video matched with a dreamy indie-pop track.
The story follows a young boy who finds a small dog chained up in a front lawn of a house during a scorching summer day. As instinct, the boy jumps the fence and shares his cold fruit cup with the dog. The moment he realizes there is a lock on the dog’s chain, the boy breaks into the house in search for the key to the lock. During his search he finds a tactical vest that reads “ICE.” Within moments the homeowner enter the house, the kid jumps on the man’s back. The man manages to drop the boy and begins to choke him. As the camera shows the man’s arms swinging down, his image changes to different powers of authority, a police officer and a masked ICE agent. The small dog is seen reacting to the commotion outside and manages to break the chain. After a few seconds the boy walks out with the dog in his arms. Once home, the boy cleans the dogs wounds and cuddles with him next to the AC. The video ends with Cuco standing in front of an ofrenda, an altar, dedicated to the dog.
Blinking tears away, the crowd cheered and applauded as Cuco and AG Rojas made their way to the stage. A Q&A was opened for audience questions. Rojas described his decision to showcase the empty kitchen and purposely wanting to illustrate that the ICE agent was coming back to an empty home with no loved ones in sight. Rojas also mentioned he was partially inspired by his own experience of witnessing instances of animal cruelty nearly everyday growing up in his own neighborhood. The duo emphasized their choice of location set for the music video as there is “no place like SoCal,” in reference to the architecture and aesthetics in the neighborhoods.
Photo credit: Conny Chavez
Towards the end of the Q&A, a man stood up to voice his thoughts on Cuco’s advocacy. “I’ve known Cuco for 20+ years,” he said. The artist on stage laughed and shook his head before saying, “That’s my dad, he forgot my age.” After some laughs and cheers, Adolfo Banos continued with his speech stating how he is proud of his son for being brave and standing up for what he believes in no matter the risks.
Following the Q&A, attendees were invited to stick around for a meet-and-greet with Cuco in the back patio. Every attendee was given a minute to speak with Cuco, take a picture and get his autograph while listening to some of his songs. CHIRLA also sold merchandise to raise more funds for the organization.
The “Dreamin'” music video is out now. Watch down below:
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