Benito Antonio Fernández Ortiz, better known as Ñico Saquito, was a renowned Cuban musician, born on February 13, 1901, in Santiago de Cuba. He passed away on August 4, 1982, in his hometown. Saquito was a prolific composer, guitarist, and singer, celebrated as the most successful composer of the guaracha genre. His career spanned from 1917 to 1982, during which he became a pivotal figure in Cuban music, particularly in the trova and guaracha styles.

Initially a promising baseball player, Saquito earned his nickname from his adeptness in the sport, using a jute sack as a glove. However, he abandoned baseball to pursue a career in music, quickly gaining recognition for his songwriting by the age of 15. Saquito directed his own group in the 1920s and later joined the Cuarteto Castillo, touring Cuba extensively in the 1930s. His first major hit came in 1936 with the song "Cuidadito compay gallo," recorded by Trío Matamoros.

In 1940, Saquito formed the Conjunto Compay Gallo with Florencio "Pícolo" Santana, releasing several singles on RCA Victor. He later established Los Guaracheros de Oriente, a group that toured internationally and recorded numerous tracks, solidifying his reputation as a master of guaracha. Despite political challenges that led to his temporary exile, Saquito returned to Cuba in 1960 after the Cuban Revolution.

Throughout his life, Saquito was known for his witty and humorous compositions, often imbued with social and political commentary. He recorded his last album in 1982, which was posthumously released as "Good-bye Mr. Cat" in 1993. Ñico Saquito's legacy includes around 500 compositions that remain integral to the Cuban musical canon, reflecting his charismatic and rebellious spirit.