Not so hip: USAID tried to infiltrate Cuba through its rap scene
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this Nov. 30, 2014, photo, Cuban fans sing during a hip-hop concert in Havana. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In this April 23, 2010, photo, Cuban singer Bian Rodriguez, member of Los Aldeanos, holds a Cuban flag as they play in concert at the Acapulco Theater in Havana, Cuba. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo)
In this Nov. 30, 2014 photo, Cuban fans sing during a hip-hop concert in Havana. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In this April 23, 2010 photo, Cuban singer Aldo Rodriguez, member of Los Aldeanos, performs in concert at the Acapulco Theater in Havana, Cuba. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo)
FILE- In this Aug. 6, 2010, file photo, men dance during the 12th annual Rotilla Festival in Jibacoa, Cuba. The festival had independent roots, but documents show that Rajko Bozic and the EXIT festival had been backing it since 2006, a period during which it grew enormously. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File)
FILE- In this Aug. 6, 2010, file photo, images depicting Cuba's revolutionary hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara are seen on a necklace and on the chest of a man during the 12th annual Rotilla Festival in Jibacoa, Cuba. The festival had independent roots, but documents show that Rajko Bozic and the EXIT festival had been backing it since 2006, a period during which it grew enormously. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File)
This 2008 photo provided by Melisa Riviere shows Bian Rodriguez, left, and Aldo Rodriguez, right, members of Los Aldeanos in Havana. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Melisa Riviere)
FILE- In this Aug. 6, 2010, file photo, a man wearing a tattoo of Jesus Christ enjoys the sun during the 12th annual Rotilla Festival in Jibacoa, Cuba. The festival had independent roots, but documents show that Rajko Bozic and the EXIT festival had been backing it since 2006, a period during which it grew enormously. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File)
In this Nov. 30, 2014, photo, Cuban fans sing during a hip-hop concert in Havana. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In this Dec. 2, 2014, photo, Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Havana, Cuba. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In this April 23, 2010 photo, members of Los Aldeanos, Aldo Rodriguez, left, and Bian Rodriguez, center, perform in concert at the Acapulco Theater in Havana, Cuba. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo)
In this Dec. 2, 2014, photo, Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Havana, Cuba. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In this Nov. 30, 2014 photo, Melisa Riviere, an anthropologist and audiovisual producer, poses for a photo on the Malecon seaside promenade in Havana with a prize from the Lucas Awards, which honor music videos. Riviere was manager for Los Aldeanos, a Cuban hip-hop group. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a U.S. agency infiltrated Cuba's hip-hop scene, recruiting unwitting rappers to spark a youth movement against the government. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)