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OKAN CONFRONT FAMILY WOUNDS AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF FORGIVENESS ON NEW SINGLE “SANAR”
Inspired by Elizabeth Rodriguez's reconnection with her father, the contemplative new track is out October 16 ahead of the Afro-Cuban duo's fourth album, Ife Ara.
TORONTO, October 16, 2026 — In 2023, OKAN's Elizabeth Rodriguez reconnected with her father, an experience that led her to reflect on their relationship, the complicated nature of forgiveness and the ways family wounds can be passed from one generation to the next. Those reflections became the starting point for “Sanar” (“To Heal”), out today on Lulaworld Records, the second single from the two-time JUNO Award-winning Afro-Cuban duo's forthcoming album, Ife Ara.
A more contemplative recording than many of the songs on the album, “Sanar” makes room for reflection, exploreing the challenges of repairing family relationships and coming to terms with experiences that have shaped us, sometimes without our realizing it. The song considers how understanding the past can help us avoid passing the same hurts to the next generation.
“Sanar” also recognizes that forgiveness isn't necessarily straightforward. Understanding someone's actions doesn't erase their consequences, and healing doesn't always mean returning a relationship to what it once was.
The track follows up on, “Te Falta Grasa,” featuring acclaimed Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena, which uses humour and contemporary Cuban reparto to celebrate body acceptance, individuality and the ancestral power we carry with us.
Both songs appear on Ife Ara, arriving November 19 on Lulaworld Records. Meaning “self-love” or “amor propio,” the album grew out of a period of profound personal loss and change for Rodriguez and her musical partner, percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne. At its centre is the question “¿Qué es lo que merezco?” — “What is it that I deserve?”
The songs approach that question from different perspectives, drawing on the duo's experiences with family, motherhood, friendship, grief and relationships, as well as the Afro-Cuban spiritual and musical traditions that have shaped their lives.
The album also marks an expansion of OKAN's musical direction. Known for bringing Afro-Cuban traditions into conversation with jazz and classical music, Rodriguez and Savigne are incorporating contemporary Cuban reparto, trap, Latin pop and electronic production into their work, while making room for quieter, more introspective songs such as “Sanar.”
The November 19 album release will feature “#Narci” as its focus track. Addressing narcissistic manipulation and the struggle to reclaim one's voice, the song pays homage to pioneering Cuban group Orishas. Building on the group's fusion of traditional Cuban music and hip-hop, OKAN bring Cuban traditions together with contemporary trap.
“We made IFE ARA to speak our truth and remind you that self-love means continuing to show up for yourself,” Rodriguez and Savigne write in the album's acknowledgements. “May this music accompany you through the pain, healing, and rebirth.”
“Sanar” is available now on digital streaming platforms.
Ife Ara will be released November 19, 2026, on Lulaworld Records, distributed by Symphonic Distribution.
About OKAN
OKAN is the two-time JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-nominated Afro-Cuban duo of violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne.
Born and raised in Cuba and now based between Canada and Miami, Rodriguez and Savigne draw on Afro-Cuban musical and spiritual traditions, jazz, classical music and contemporary sounds from across the African diaspora.
Their international career has taken them to Lincoln Center, SFJAZZ, the Kennedy Center, the National Arts Centre, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival and NPR's Tiny Desk. They have also toured extensively across North America, including a 19-date support tour with Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Their fourth studio album, Ife Ara, arrives November 19, 2026.
Media inquiries: Yuzzy Acosta | Eclectic Media PR
Label: Lulaworld Records | Tracy Jenkins / Juana Hermida - lulaworldrecords@gmail.com
Management: Manic Monkee | Allison Shaw
