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Copyright 2025 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
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Houston, Texas — Felix “Linky” Zapata, an American Music Producer of Honduran Garifuna Heritage, has led and produced a music tribute to the Late Aurelio Martinez.
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The Music Project, a cover of the beloved song, “Landini” (“Landing” in the Garifuna Language), brings together an All-Star ensemble of Garifuna Music Artists to celebrate Aurelio Martinez’s legacy and the enduring spirit of Garifuna Culture.
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Born and raised in Brooklyn, with his Mother from Triunfo de la Cruz, Honduras, and his Father born in Guadalupe and raised in San Antonio, Honduras, Linky, a founding member of pioneering boy band, Garifuna Kids, channels his deep, cultural roots and musical expertise into this homage.
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Aurelio Martínez, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in March 2025 at the age of 55, was a cultural ambassador for the Garifuna people, blending African, Caribbean, and Indigenous influences into his soulful music compositions.
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His 2014 album Lándini, named after the Garifuna word for “landing” and inspired by the riverfront gatherings in his hometown of Plaplaya, Honduras, captured the essence of Garifuna life with its rhythmic complexity and emotional depth. Linky’s tribute reimagines this iconic track, preserving its traditional heartbeat while infusing it with fresh energy.
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The project features a collective of prominent Garifuna artists, including vocalists and percussionists who echo the soulful chants and pulsating drum rhythms characteristic of the genre.
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The Music Artists who contributed to this Music Project were:
Linky Zapata (Producer) of Honduran Garifuna Heritage,
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Mike Nunez and Emilio Nunez of Honduras’ Libana Marasa,
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Ideal Castillo of Guatemala on Guitar,
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Alex Ciego of Guatemala Garifuna Heritage on Bass Guitar,
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Andy Ordonez of Honduran Garifuna Heritage on Maracas,
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Young Gari (Frank Ruiz) of Honduran Garifuna Heritage,
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Babylou Colon of Bajamar, Honduras,
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Steven “Young P” Martinez of Honduran Garifuna Heritage on Guitar,
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Lil June Afro Punta of Honduran Garifuna Heritage,
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Nibu Man of Honduras (from Honduran Group, Kazzabe Agrupacion), on Drum
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D-Sorce Cayetano on Piano.
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Apparently recorded remotely in various home studio setups across the United States, the cover showcases Linky’s production prowess, layering vibrant acoustic guitar, soulful bass guitar, maracas, traditional Garifuna drums, and soulful harmonies. The ensemble’s performance honors Martínez’s vision of music as a tool for cultural preservation and cultural advancement, reflecting themes of community, resilience, and spirituality.
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In a Direct Message correspondence Interview with Being Garifuna, Linky Zapata shed light about his intentions with this ambitious music project.
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Being Garifuna: What made you want to produce this musical tribute?
Linky Zapata: Aurelio took Garifuna Music to the World. So I just wanted to show my appreciation to him for doing that, alongside with the other musicians. Just saying Thank You for what he meant and done for Garifuna Music.
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Being Garifuna: As a fellow Garifuna Music Artist, what did Aurelio Martinez music work mean to you?
Linky Zapata: His music made you feel like you were back home in Honduras. Sitting along the beach and staring at the water, enjoying life. His music made you proud that you were Garifuna.
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Being Garifuna: Was Aurelio’s music career any sort of Inspiration to you?
Linky Zapata: Not only to me, but to all Garifuna Musicians. Old and new. He inspired me to make music that will last for years to come. And to bring the quality out of the music.
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Being Garifuna: Was it hard to get the music artists together to do this music tribute to Aurelio?
Linky Zapata: No, it wasn’t hard at all. Once I presented thim with the concept of what I was doing, they were all in.
I just hope that people understand what Aurelio meant to us and to keep his name and music alive. The video was just a Thank You Letter to him. I hope he smiled when he saw it.
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Linky Zapata opens the tribute with a few notes of Acoustic Guitar (via Keyboard Synthesizer) from I think, the Aurelio Martinez and Andy Palacio Duet, Lanarime Lamiselu. The Maracas begin shaking a few moments later and then…
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Linky Zapata Music Albums and Songs Produced
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- 1) El Mala Polia (Jimmy Suazo)
2) De Corazon a Corazon (Nino Arzu)
3) De Nuevo Otra Vez (Nino Arzu)
4) Suenos (Amilcar Ramos)
5) Jerry Labert First Album
6) La Peligrosa (Jerry Labert 2nd Album)
7) Con Sentimiento (Shabakan)
8) Pensando en La Vida (Guifiti)
9) Desorden (Shabakan)
10) Mi Gente Mi Cultura Vol 1, 2 & 3 (Linky Zapata)
11) Sentimientos de un Poeta (El Poeta) — Co-Produced
12) El Vacilon (Tableta) Co-Produced
13) El Tren (Amistad Garifuna) Co-Produced
14) Hay Ya Ya (song on Alagany Band First Album)
15) 3 Songs on Fernandez Band First Album – a) Dale Misieba b) Punta Rock c) Solo Rodando
16) Boyland Canario latest album
17) You Have My Heart song on The El Unico Album, Baila Mi Punta