Carlos Manuel had been a member of the
Mayohuacan,
Carapacho and
Irakere groups in Cuba, and had had success within Cuba as vocalist with
Carlos Manuel y su Clan, which he founded in 1997. In 2001, he was voted the most popular artist in Cuba, Clan decreed the best new band, and his song "Malo Cantidad" the most listened to. == Personal life ==