Elsten Torres

Elsten Creole Torres (born February 10, 1965) in Havana, Cuba as Listoriel Leyva Torres, is a singer, songwriter and producer.^[1] He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for his first solo independent album, Individual.^[2]

Elsten Torres (aka Listoriel Leyva Torres) was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1965. His parents were both from Puerto Padre, Las Tunas in Oriente. When he was 18 months old, his mother, Elsa Torres, and his older brother, Dorian (then 5 years old), left the island as part of the Freedom Flights of the mid-to-late 1960s. His father was imprisoned at the time—labeled a political enemy of the state for opposing the Cuban government—and was unable to leave with the family. They arrived in Manhattan on October 6th, 1966, settling in the Washington Heights section of New York City, where his mother’s brother Emilio was already living with his wife and daughter.

Elsten’s mother never remarried and raised both boys on her own, working tirelessly to provide for her small family. For years she struggled to make ends meet, eventually earning her cosmetology license and finding stable work.

From an early age, Elsten was surrounded by music—especially original music with deep emotional roots. His uncle, Listoriel Torres, a respected singer-songwriter in Cuba, had also immigrated to the U.S. He would often bring hisguitar to family gatherings, where his songs—many of them about love, loss, andleaving his homeland—left a lasting impression on him. Those moments planted the seeds of his musical journey.

He began playing guitar around the age of 11, taking private lessons and quicklyfalling in love with the instrument. By 15, he was writing his own songs and performing in his first band. As he matured, he dedicated himself to mastering the craft of composition, studying guitar, voice, and songwriting with private instructors. He also trained in audio engineering and production in his early twenties.

At age 22, he signed his first record deal with an independent Mexican label as a member of the band Rebelde Sin Causa. Touring Mexico affirmed his belief that music was his true path. When that project came to an end, he returned to New York for a time before eventually relocating to Miami at age 27 to reunite with his family and pursue new opportunities—following the advice of music executives who believed Miami was the next big hub for Latin artists.

In 1994, He met producers Rodolfo Castillo and Gustavo Menendez, who had just launched an indie label called Radio Vox. They saw potential in him as a singer-songwriter and signed him. Together, they released “Revolución,” a protest song that resonated deeply with the Cuban communities of both Cuba and Miami. Its success led him to form Fulano, a Latin Alternative/Rock band that gained national and international recognition. After signing with BMG/RCA, they released two critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively across the U.S. and Latin America. Around the same time, he signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

After Fulano disbanded, Elsten turned his energy toward songwriting for other artists. Though he had temporarily stepped away from performing, he found great success writing songs that made it onto Billboard’s Top Ten—including the #1 hit “Todo El Año,” which held the top spot for five consecutive weeks.

Eventually, the call to return to the stage brought him back as a solo artist. Since then, He’s released 14 full-length albums, toured nationally and internationally, received two GRAMMY nominations, and won two BMI songwriting awards.

Beyond his personal artistic work, He’s made it a priority to give back—sharing his knowledge and experience with emerging artists through programs like Songfest and by serving on the Florida chapter board of the Recording Academy. He believes strongly in advocating for artists and strengthening our musical community.

Currently, He’s preparing to release his 13th full-length album, ViceVersa, a vibrant fusion of his Cuban roots with elements of reggae and rock. He’s also developing a comic book featuring a young Cuban musician who, through extraordinary circumstances, becomes a superhero.

In addition, He’s working on a deeply personal musical titled Mima, which tells the story of his mother’s courageous journey to build a new life in a new world. Mima is both a tribute and an homage to all the brave Cuban parents who left everything behind in search of a better future for their families.

His life and art have always been intertwined, rooted in his heritage, his family, and his love for storytelling through music. As he continues to evolve, he remains committed to using his voice and craft to uplift, inspire, and connect.

• In 2023/2024/2025, he tours Mexico, Argentina, Spain, New York, Ohio, and Japan in promotion of his song “Bendita Cuba” and the albums Nocturno” and Real Artificial
• “La Vida Cambia” song and video in collaboration with the great Spanish singer-songwriter Antonio Carmona is a great success on all networks and digital platforms
• Placed in charge of translating into Spanish the greatest hits of legendary rock artist Elvis Costello for a tribute album Spanish Model honoring his career
• DREAMWORKS/UNIVERSAL PICTURES commissions him to write and adapt the theme song “Fearless” for the animated film SPIRIT-Untamed
• Invited as “special artist” for the 30th edition of the “Folk Alliance International” festival in Kansas City, MO
• The National Geographic channel presents Elsten and his music exclusively for the documentary La Cuba De Hoy
• The international singer David Bisbal records the song, “Closer Tonight” in English and Spanish, the English version is chosen for the commercial for the 100th anniversary of champagne - Freixenet in Europe
• Guest artist to be part of the USA tour with the legendary groups, “The Family Stone” and “The Spinners”
• Grammy Award nomination for the album Individual, in the category “Best Latin Pop Album of the Year”
• Latin Grammy Award nomination for the song “Todo El Año” in the “Best Song of the Year” category
• “Todo El Año” reaches #1 and remains for five consecutive weeks among the national and international Billboard charts (2005)

His first serious band was called Mistaken Identity, followed by his first Latin rock band, Rebelde Sin Causa. Torres recorded his first professional album, Ataque, with his music partner, Leonardo "Jason X" Perez, on Mexican rock label Discos Gas.

In Miami, Torres first recorded with the independent label Radio Vox, under the artistic name of Fulano de Tal.

His first single was the Cuban protest anthem "Revolucion". With its success he put the band together that would become Fulano De Tal.

The original members were drummer Brendan Buckley, guitarist Julian Adam Zimmon, and bassist Leo Nobre. Nobre left the band right before they were to record their major label debut, Normal, through BMG/RCA. He was replaced by bassist John M. Falcone. Fulano de Tal released two full-length albums, Normal (BMG/RCA), and Etc. (Radio Vox/DLN). The band officially broke up in 2001, after two of its members Zimmon and Buckley joined Shakira's band.

After the breakup of the band, Torres has continued as a solo artist, he has also had success writing for and with other artists such as Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi, Obie Bermúdez, Alejandra Guzmán, Julio Iglesias Jr. Aleks Syntek, Ednita Nazario, Oscar de Leon, David Bisbal, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw,  John Rich (Big & Rich) and several others.

Originality has never been a problem for Cuban-New York singer-songwriter Elsten Torres. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” is his favorite phrase from Oscar Wilde and his personal motto.

A musical pioneer recognized as one of the creators of the 90's alternative Latin rock sound and movement in the United States, this unconventional eclectic musician has firmly left his artistic footprints in the music industry for over 3 decades. Elsten is a bilingual multicultural artist who has performed live internationally as well as a composer awarded for his international successes. With two GRAMMY nominations, two BMI Awards and six Billboard Top Ten songs including a #1 for 5 weeks, Elsten has earned the well-deserved respect of everyone in the music business.

Starting in 1994, with his first Afro-Cuban/rock style hit “Revolucion” under the nickname, Fulano De Tal, Elsten begins his career as an artist in spectacular fashion. Later, he created the group, “Fulano” and was signed by BMG/Sony Discs and the international publishing house Warner Chappell where his career jumped at an unstoppable speed.

He is often considered one of the few genuine composers of his time for his special ability to compose songs that become instant classics in Spanish as well as English. In 2020 he released the eleventh album of his career titled At the End of Love all in English. In 2022 the Spanish Language album Nocturno was released. An album that marked a new stage in his career in terms of sound and production. And in 2023, he released the single “Bendita Cuba,” a song and remix that is a tribute to his homeland and his recently deceased beloved mother. In 2024, Elsten releases the album Real Artificial, a record with 8 new unreleased songs in Spanish and English under the InnerCat label and will continue to make live performances internationally and nationally. This year, 2025, Elsten will be releasing the album Vice Versa a collection of 7 new songs with a mix of reggae and Cuban Roots, as well to continue to tour with his music.

Elsten Torres' discography is as follows:

Albums and singles

• “Ataque” (Rebelde Sin Causa) – Discos Gas/Mexico – 1990
• "Revolucion” (Fulano De Tal) – Radio Vox Records – 1995
• “Normal” – (Fulano De Tal) – BMG/RCA – 1997
• “Etc.” – (Fulano) – Radio Vox/DLN – 2000
• “Individual” – (Fulano/Elsten Torres) – FM Records – 2006

* GRAMMYÓNominated “Best Latin Pop Album”

• “If You Say So” – (Elsten Torres) – Uno Entertainment – 2008
• "Waiting for Clouds" - (Elsten Torres)- Real Artificial Music – 2013
• “Borders” - (Hey Elsten) - Real Artificial Muisic – 2015
• “Exitos Acusticos” – (Fulano De Tal/Elsten Torres) – CMP 2016

*Greatest Hits album

• “Vamonos, Vamonos” (Elsten y Los Damn Ramblers) – 2017
• “At the end of love” (Elsten Torres) Warner/Chappell Music – 2020
• “Nocturno” - (Elsten Torres) - MFM+ – 2022
• “Real Artificial” - (Elsten Torres) - Inner Cat – 2024
• “Vice Versa” - (Elsten Torres/feat. Los Reggae Monks) - MFM+ – 2025

Compilations

• Latin Laugh Festival – BMG / RCA – 1998

• Tributo to the Cure – WEA Latina – 1999

• Una Decada de Rock – BMG – 2000

• Billboard Magazine (Interview) - 2007

• Al Borde Magazine (cover feature) Interview - 2007

• National Geographic - La Cuba de hoy - 2017

• Billboard Magazine (Feature)- 2020

• Spanish Model (Elvis Costello) - 2021

• La Banda Elastica Magazine (feature) - 2024

• Radio 3 - Madrid (live interview) - 2025

Notable songs

• "Los Demas"; (top ten Billboard hit with Julio Iglesias Jr.)
• "Cristina Maria"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "No Soy Gringo"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Caramelo";(hit single for Alejandra Guzman)
• "Dejala Que Baile"; (hit song for Michael Stuart)
• "Todo El Año"; (Billboard #1 song with Obie Bermudez)
• "Por Una Mujer"; (Billboard top 20 song for Luis Fonsi)
• "Olvidare"; (hit single and video from the album Individual)
• "Selfish"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Normal"; (hit single from the album Normal)
• "Dando Vueltas"; (hit single and video from the album Individual)
• "Como Ayer" (song for Jimena Anger for her Grammy-nominated album Día
• Azul)
• "Closer Tonight" (features on Huawei smartphones as default music)
• "Si Aun Te Quieres Quedar" (Closer Tonight Spanish Version) recorded by David
• Bisbal
• "Closer Tonight" - (Theme song for 100th Anniversary of Freixenet Sparkling
• Wine) David Bisbal
• La Vida Cambia (Duet with Antonio Carmona of Ketama)
  • "Borders" (single from the album At the End of Love)
  • "Bendita Cuba" (tribute song for his mother)
  • "Sobraran" (single from the album Nocturno)
  • "Real Artificial" (single from the album Real Artificial)
  • "Vive" (single from the album Vice Versa)

• Elsten Torres, official site