Their names are Yaisel Morejón Coffigny and Yasiel Morejón Coffigny. They are clearly twin brothers. And they have both taken on stage names: Paul and Joni. They are singers, dancers, and models. For some time now, they have been part of the duo Gminis. And little by little, they have been consolidating a style, a presence, and an audience in the Cuban music scene. We interviewed them for our series on young talents.

—How did you feel about recently winning the popularity award and the urban music award at the Cuerda Viva Festival? Did it surprise you?

PAUL: From the beginning, we trusted our fans, the community, and all those people who have been supporting us from the very beginning. Receiving these awards means a lot because it's not only a recognition of our work, but also of the love we've sown in our people. More than surprise, we feel gratitude, because we know that behind every vote, every show of support, there’s confidence in what we do, and that drives us to keep going.

—Who have been your greatest role models in music, dance, and fashion?

JONI: In music, we have great role models like Michael Jackson, who greatly influenced us artistically, and Benny Moré, an undisputed icon of Cuban music. In dance, it's Michael Jackson again, and also Chris Brown, for the energy, innovation, and connection they achieve on stage. In fashion, we don't follow anyone in particular, but we're greatly inspired by the style of Black Dandyism, because it reflects elegance, originality, and authenticity, things we always try to convey in what we do.

—What message do you want to convey with your music and your shows?

PAUL: We want to convey the essence of Geminis: love, passion, and versatility. We want every person who sees and hears us to feel the dedication we put into the stage. Our music and our shows are designed to move, to connect, and to leave a lasting impression, because we believe that true art must reach the heart.

—You are musicians, dancers, and models. How do you combine all of that in a single performance?

PAUL: The combination isn't easy because it requires a lot of time, rehearsal, discipline, and, above all, willpower. We demand a lot of ourselves because we deeply respect our audiences and believe they deserve the best. That's why we take care of every detail of what we present, from the music to the visuals.

JONI: It's a big challenge, but not impossible. In the future, we would love to have a larger team to further enhance the stage and visual aspects and achieve world-class shows.

—What are your short-term goals and what dreams do you want to achieve in the future?

JONI: For us… goals are endless. In the short term, we want to continue creating music, establish ourselves on larger stages, and grow not only in Cuba but also internationally. We dream of taking Cuban music to the place it deserves, just as great icons of our country have done.

PAUL: We want our work to be recognized within Cuba and abroad, and that, God willing, we continue to honor the name of our homeland, Cárdenas. And of course, never lose the greatest reward: the love and support of the public.

—Being brothers, how does it influence your creative work? What advantages and challenges does it bring you?

JONI: Being brothers is a blessing because the connection is natural. Of course, we sometimes have disagreements like any duo, but in the end, everything flows when it comes to creating. In the studio, together with our producer Adrián Izaguirre, we have achieved a chemistry we call "a duo of three." We let ourselves be guided by musical and spiritual intuition, and it’s felt in every song. That fraternal connection gives us strength, because we share the same dreams and fight together for them.

—How do you project yourselves in Cuban urban music and in other genres or settings?

PAUL: We always want to leave a unique mark, with good lyrics and proposals that are fresh but also profound. We believe that in urban music and other genres, the essence of making music that lasts has largely been lost. Our mission is to rescue that: to make music that touches hearts, that people can enjoy over time, and that worthily represents Cuban youth on stage.

—If you could contribute something to the public about your vision of art and music, what would it be?

JONI: What we would like to contribute to the public is the vision that art and music are much more than entertainment: they are a bridge that connects souls, cultures, and generations. For us, art is truth, it’s identity, and also an act of responsibility. We believe in music that builds, that uplifts, that leaves a message, and that respects those who listen to it.

PAUL: Our contribution would be to demonstrate that from Cuba, from our youth and from our reality, great things can be achieved with discipline, talent, and love. We want to inspire other young people to dream, to pursue their passions, and to understand that art is a path to leaving a positive mark on the world.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff