asere

Asere is a term that originated in Cuba and gained significant popularity through the song "Aserejé" by the Spanish group Las Ketchup. The song's catchy chorus, "Asere, que serpiente que vidal, que, a mi me parece, que, yo te vi," is often misheard or interpreted in various ways, leading to much discussion about its meaning.

The word "asere" itself is believed to be derived from the Afro-Cuban word "asere," which can be used as a friendly term of address, similar to "friend," "buddy," or "pal." It's a form of informal greeting or reference among close acquaintances.

The song "Aserejé," released in 2002, became an international hit. Its nonsensical lyrics, intentionally designed to be difficult to understand for non-Spanish speakers, contributed to its mystique. While many speculated about hidden meanings, the band themselves explained that the lyrics were largely a playful, gibberish-filled story about a young man named Diego who goes out dancing and is inspired by the music of his favorite group, "The Sugarhill Gang," particularly their song "Rapper's Delight." The opening lines of "Aserejé" are a phonetic interpretation of the beginning of "Rapper's Delight."

Therefore, "asere" in the context of the song and its subsequent popularity primarily refers to this friendly salutation, amplified by the global phenomenon of "Aserejé." The term itself predates the song and continues to be used in informal Cuban Spanish.