Troba

Troba, often spelled trova in Spanish, is a term used to describe a tradition of lyric-driven singer-songwriters and poets rooted in Iberian and Latin American culture. The word itself derives from trovador, the medieval troubadour, and in modern usage it denotes a performance style and repertoire rather than a single fixed genre.

In Cuba, la trova is a foundational form of popular music that developed in urban centers such as Santiago de Cuba and Havana during the 19th century. It centers on intimate, often poetic lyrics delivered with simple guitar accompaniment. Early trovadores wrote about love, everyday life, and social observations, and their work helped shape related Cuban genres and a broader song tradition.

During the 20th century, la trova evolved and gave rise to two prominent strands. La trova tradicional preserves the classic repertoire and performance practices of the early movement, while Nueva Trova emerged in the 1960s and 1970s with more openly political and social themes. Notable Nueva Trova artists include Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés, whose accessible melodies and thoughtful lyrics broadened the audience for Latin American folk-inspired music and influenced subsequent generations of singer-songwriters.

Beyond Cuba, the term troba can be used more generally to describe similar tradition of lyric-focused, guitar-centered music in Spanish-speaking contexts. The troba/trova lineage emphasizes poetic craft, storytelling, and the role of the songwriter as both composer and performer.