Bad Bunny’s newest album “DeBí TiRaR MáS FOToS” is arguably his most experimental work yet—and undeniably Latino. Seamlessly blending reggaetón, salsa, house, música jíbara and other Latin American styles, the album celebrates Puerto Rican culture and shines a spotlight on issues impacting Latinos across the globe. With every track, Bad Bunny once again proves he’s unafraid to challenge the norms of the music industry, all while staying unapologetically true to his roots.
From the infectious rhythms of “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” where he pairs a salsa-inspired beat with a music video set in a dance class, to his bold critique of societal injustices, Bad Bunny cements himself as an artist whose work goes beyond entertainment. This album is more than music; it’s a movement.
One of the standout features of the album is its homage to Puerto Rican culture. Bad Bunny collaborates exclusively with Puerto Rican artists and incorporates samples and references from iconic figures in Latino music. By touring only in Puerto Rico, as well as offering the first nine shows of the tour to local residents only, he draws global attention to the island's significance, ensuring its voice remains strong on the world stage.
But this album does more than celebrate culture—it critiques its erasure. Bad Bunny uses his platform to tackle gentrification, a pressing issue in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America. Songs like “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” draw parallels between the historical colonization of Hawaii and the current wave of gentrification displacing Latin American communities. “TURiSTA” explores the impact of tourism that disregards the struggles of local populations, shining a light on the exploitation often masked by luxury vacations and curated experiences.
Gentrification, which displaces residents and erodes cultural heritage, has long plagued Latin America, from Mexico City to Buenos Aires. The album has sparked a wave of activism, with fans flooding TikTok and Instagram, using “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” as a rallying cry to demand government action against gentrification. This demonstrates the powerful connection between Bad Bunny’s music and his audience, as his lyrics resonate deeply with those directly affected by these issues.
The accompanying short film released alongside the album amplifies its message, visually illustrating themes of cultural preservation, identity and resistance. Latin Americans see themselves in the album—not just in its critiques of systemic issues, but in the celebration of their shared heritage. Through its vibrant beats and melodies rooted in tradition, the album captures the essence of the Latino spirit: resilient, proud and unwavering in the face of adversity.
Bad Bunny’s work stands as a testament to the struggles and joys of being Latino. It artistically represents the tension between cultural preservation and the forces that threaten to erase it. In the defiant closing track, “LA MuDANZA,” Bad Bunny declares what so many Latinos feel: despite centuries of colonization and cultural erasure, Latinos will endure.
As he proclaims, “De aquí nadie me saca, de aquí yo no me muevo. Dile que esta es mi casa, donde nació mi abuelo” (“No one will take me from here; I’m not moving. Tell them this is my home, where my grandfather was born”), Bad Bunny underscores the urgent need for Latinos to hold tightly to our culture, heritage and land.
This lyric becomes a declaration of resistance—a call to preserve the memories and sacrifices of those who came before us. Despite the devastating effects of colonization and gentrification, which threaten to strip away these cultural roots, Latinos remain.
Whether in our playas and ríos, in our music and dance, or in our continued resistance, we will remain. Singing, dancing and waving our flags in pride, we assert: We Latinos aren’t going anywhere.