Que Blanco Que Soy

Damas Gratis, a prominent band in the cumbia villera genre, brings a unique blend of social commentary and personal narrative in their song 'Que Blanco Que Soy.' The lyrics revolve around the protagonist's nocturnal lifestyle and the symbolic use of the color white. The repeated phrase 'que blanco que soy' (how white I am) can be interpreted as a metaphor for purity or a state of being that contrasts with the darkness of night, which the protagonist prefers over the daylight. This preference for night over day could signify a life lived on the fringes of society, away from the scrutiny and judgment that daylight brings.

The song also delves into the protagonist's environment, specifically mentioning 'Villa del Carmen City,' a neighborhood characterized by its own set of rules and realities. The reference to 'cuatro transas' (four dealers) and 'tribuneros' (people who gossip or judge) paints a picture of a community where illicit activities and social dynamics are part of everyday life. The line 'si las chusmas fueran flores, mi barrio es un jardin' (if gossips were flowers, my neighborhood is a garden) uses irony to highlight the prevalence of gossip and judgment in the protagonist's surroundings.

The color white is omnipresent in the protagonist's life, from his refrigerator to his heater, symbolizing a stark contrast to the 'green' mentioned later in the song. Green, often associated with life and vitality, is ironically linked to death in the line 'verde voy a morir' (I will die green). This juxtaposition of colors and their associated meanings adds depth to the narrative, suggesting a life caught between purity and corruption, day and night, life and death. Through 'Que Blanco Que Soy,' Damas Gratis offers a poignant look at the complexities of life in marginalized communities, wrapped in the infectious rhythms of cumbia villera.