Punta Rock Prodigy Taking the Music Scene by Storm!
In the vibrant and culturally diverse musical landscape of Belize, a rising star has emerged, captivating audiences and winning the hearts of music legends in his genre. At just nineteen years old, Hubee, the rising star of Punta Rock, has taken Belizean music by storm, leaving an indelible mark that has even legends in his genre nodding in approval. This week’s Look on The Bright Side will delve deep into the world of Hubee, shedding light on not only his remarkable musical journey, but also the personal story that has shaped the artist behind the beats and lyrics—a side of Hubee that many have yet to discover. News Five’s Sabreena Daly tells us more.
Hubee
Hubee, Belizean Artist
“I mean, everyone loves Punta Rock. North, South, East and West. Everybody loves Punta Rock but for me it came natural because of the fact that I live in Dangriga from where it was originated by Pen Cayetano and The Turtle Shell band, right?”
Houston Alvarez Jr., also known by his stage name Hubee, is a household name. At just nineteen years old, this musical sensation is heralded for possessing the elusive “IT-Factor” that sets him apart from the rest.
Supa G
Supa G, Belizean Artist
“You know, I always tell people Hubee has the IT-Factor about him. Ask me to explain that; I cannot. But when I see it, I know it.”
In a candid conversation, Hubee shared that his songs draw inspiration from real-life experiences—both his own and the captivating tales of others. Like the suspenseful, “Can’t Left,” that leaves listeners intrigued and guessing.
Hubee
“I write based on my life and other people’s lives. The song ‘Can’t Left’ is not about my life. Um, I always tell people the song is about my cousin’s life!”
Sabreena Daly
“Oh!”
Hubee
“And he knows. I had to tell him.”
Sabreena Daly
“You were airing out your cousin’s laundry.”
Hubee
“My cousin never knew when the song dropped and he was clowning me. Saying he knew who it was about. No problem. Not knowing, not knowing it’s about him. So, for me it was kind of funny because a lot of people believe that the song is about me, but the song is not about my life. I mean, certain parts of the song I could relate to, but for the most part, not about me. It was about my cousin.”
His artistic journey began a decade ago with Method, whom he describes as his musical father and producer, Junie Mar. An eyewitness to this remarkable journey, Junie Mar offered a firsthand account of the path they’ve traveled together.
Junie Mar
Junie Mar, Producer
“Well, when we started it used to be easier. The sessions used to be very easy. But now with his experience, he’s learned to hear other stuff, right? He researches, he looks at a lot of international things, and so he puts the pressure on us too to add more and do more. So sometimes we have disagreements, sometimes during the sessions, but it’s a good disagreement. I’m proud to see the young artists coming up now. Because the tradition was, mostly the older men would do it. So, to see a young guy like Hubee doing it on the stage, it makes me proud knowing that we come from the beginning to now and also come a long way.”
Behind the melodies and acclaim lies a deeply personal story that few are aware of. Hubee’s story began with a heart-wrenching decision. His grandmother, facing the prospect of her sixteen-year-old daughter becoming a teenage mother, urged her to undergo an abortion.
Bertis Miguel
Bertis Miguel, Mother
“When I found out I was pregnant with Hubee, I was 16 years old. I was in high school. Um, I couldn’t tell my mom. I didn’t know how to tell her because I was the only daughter, so I knew it was going to be devastating news for her. The doctor told her that if you take it off, it’s at your own risk. Because you can hear the child’s and if you do this you can kill her too. So my mom said, well, I don’t know, but I’m gonna take it off.”
Sabreena Daly
“Okay, so your mother, knowing that if you would have an abortion, that abortion coming with the risks of you also losing your life also, still wanted you to take that risk.”
Bertis Miguel
“She wanted me to take the risk.”
Hubee’s mother made the courageous decision to keep her growing fetus, even at the cost of her own mother forcing her to leave their home. What followed was a challenging journey, struggling to provide for her child, and later, her growing family.
Hubee
“I feel like that kind of inspires me in a sense when it comes to music and what I do musically. Meaning that I think about my story so much and my mom’s story, I should say, so much that I watch everything I sing about, every single thing.”
In 2018, Hubee solidified his name in music by being the junior winner of the National Song Competition, a feature of the September celebrations.
Hubee
“I always say I love Belize. Belize is a free place and my friends ask me if I would live anywhere else but it’s always going to be Belize. I’m alright. Where I’m at, I’m good. Belize is an extremely free place to live in a sense that you could enjoy Belize for little of nothing. I will say this, I owe the entire winnings to my musical father Method. I owe that to him. I had plans that, alright, well for me as a youth, probably 15 or 16, three thousand dollars was a lot of money, a whole lot. I had plans. And then when you win and reality hits you, that’s a different thing.”
The truth hit home when he saw his mom, a single parent without a job, trying to put her kids through school. Taking the reins, Hubee used all of his winnings to support his siblings and his own education.
Hubee
“I paid my school fees, my sister’s school fees, brother’s school fees, uniform, books and bag. And that was it.”
Bertis Miguel
“Yes. Because up until now, when he comes from singing, he would say, here, mommy, this is for groceries, this is for bills. So like, he’s the man of the house. He takes care of me and his siblings. I thank God for my son and I’m grateful for my son, and I don’t want nobody to change my son.”
Today, Hubee is a junior college student pursuing Sociology, with big dreams of making a difference not just through his music, but also through a broader avenue. He envisions a career in politics as a means to bring the positive change he wishes to see in his community.
Hubee
“I feel like for me, and I may be overlooking my actual position now, but for me, I feel like politics would be a real avenue for me to do more. But I feel like I do a lot as an artist right now. I’ve been to schools speaking to students, people my age and people older than me I go speak to. For me, I’m grateful for that, but I’ll be a politician. I mean, I’ll drive myself to where I need to go, but if music is my destination and my destiny, then I can’t fight it. I can’t. Who knows? My ancestors are living within me right now. They’re with me. They guide me, especially within the genre that I do as an artist. So, running from their call for me would be a total disrespect. I can’t run where I don’t belong. So if this is where I belong, I have to stay.”
Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.
