In the mid-1990s, the three members, Haniel Gonzalez Martinez, Javier Duran Webb, and José Angel Sastre Perez, were listening to rap sounds coming from the U.S.
The formation of Cubanito 20.02, formed by ex-members of Primera Base, was one of the first major significations of the switch from hip hop to reggaeton in Havana.
Despite the lyrics from the first album's title track ("I'm a rapper first and foremost, whether you like it or not..."), their first big radio hit in Havana, "Matame", features a reggaeton sound.
[citation needed] For example, their song "Pideme" contains the lyrics "soy sincero cuando digo que te quiero" (I am sincere when I tell you that I love you) and "eres la flor en mi jardin" (You are the flower in my garden).
Cubanito 20.02 do not claim to tackle issues of race or violence, but rather they attempt to evoke love, happiness, and dance to their listeners.