Promotional image for Bad Bunny’s latest album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” featuring Bad Bunny. Photo credit: Eric Rojas
Last summer, global superstar Bad Bunny found himself driving through the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, feeling overwhelmed with sadness. As he glanced out his window, he noticed the city’s beaches crowded with carefree tourists, which somehow deepened his sorrow. This sight prompted him to reflect on the disparity between the external perception of Puerto Rico and its harsh realities, drawing parallel to his own life experiences.
In a candid interview with TIME at a Manhattan hotel in late December, just before another blackout hit Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny shared his thoughts. He expressed how visitors often enjoy the beauty of a place without truly understanding or facing the challenges its residents encounter daily. Drawing a comparison to relationships, he noted how some people only see the best parts of you, akin to tourists glimpsing the picturesque facade of a destination before departing, unaware of the underlying struggles and complexities.
Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny spent a significant portion of 2024 showcasing his talents worldwide: from a successful arena tour to co-chairing the Met Gala and starring in movies. Despite his global acclaim and chart-topping success on platforms like Spotify, the distance from his homeland and the scrutiny that accompanied his fame led him to yearn for Puerto Rico even more.
Facing critiques and expectations, Bad Bunny chose to delve deeper into his roots for his next project. His sixth solo album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” released on Jan. 5, represents a departure from mainstream trends towards a more culturally rich and introspective exploration of his identity. Through this album, Bad Bunny offers listeners a profound journey into his emotions, seeking solace amidst heartache, fame, and societal challenges, all while celebrating Puerto Rico’s musical heritage.
This album is not tailored for casual listeners but invites a more profound exploration beyond the superficial allure of the island. It delves into the soul of Puerto Rican music, showcasing a unique blend of authenticity and artistic ambition. Bad Bunny’s artistic evolution highlights a shift towards tradition and introspection, setting him apart from his contemporaries and emphasizing his connection to his cultural roots.
Bad Bunny was initially known for his trap beats perfect for dancing in the club. However, after completing his 2023 trap-focused album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, he approached his longtime producer, MAG, with a new idea. Bad Bunny wanted to create an album that would take listeners on a musical journey through the various genres that define Puerto Rican music. MAG, a Nuyorican-Dominican producer who worked on Bad Bunny’s highly-streamed album Un Verano Sin Ti, recalls the moment when the artist shared his vision.
During a meeting in a hotel conference room, Bad Bunny, adorned with a heavy silver cross chain, a long black trench coat, and Louis Vuitton sunglasses, played one of the first songs from the upcoming album. “NuevaYol,” a track paying tribute to the Puerto Rican dialect, sampled a salsa classic from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, capturing the essence of Puerto Rican musical heritage. This song seamlessly blended the lively congas and brass arrangements of salsa with the sleek beats of Dominican dembow, setting the tone for the album.
With a focus on blending genres and paying homage to his roots, Bad Bunny’s album concept continued to evolve. He drew inspiration from the Puerto Rican community in New York, weaving stories of salsa legends and local social club owners into his music. The album’s diverse tracks, such as the plena-inspired “Café con Ron” and the salsa-infused “Baile Inolvidable,” showcased a range of influences, from traditional jíbaro music to modern urbano sounds.
As the project took shape, Bad Bunny collaborated with up-and-coming musicians, including talented teens from a local music school. Together, they crafted songs like “Turista,” a poignant bolero exploring themes of tourism, and “Pitorro de Coco,” a nod to rural Puerto Rican music. The album’s varied tracks touched the hearts of listeners, with Bad Bunny’s own mother expressing joy at the unexpected blend of trap and traditional jíbaro music.
Through his album, Bad Bunny aimed to celebrate Puerto Rican music’s rich history while infusing it with contemporary influences. From heartfelt ballads to energetic salsa tracks, the artist’s passion for his heritage shines through in every song. As he shared the album with TIME in New York, Bad Bunny’s enthusiasm was palpable, singing along to the lyrics and immersing himself in the music alongside his collaborators.
In a musical landscape where artists like Rauw Alejandro and Peso Pluma are also revitalizing classic songs and genres, Bad Bunny stands out for his dedication to honoring the past while pushing boundaries with his innovative sound. By blending traditional rhythms with modern production techniques, he continues to shape the future of Latin music and inspire a new generation of listeners.
Martínez’s latest project showcases a significant increase in live musicianship compared to his previous records. The band members involved in this project are predominantly from a new wave of Puerto Rican musicians, such as producer Big Jay and the band Chuwi. Martínez aimed to both tap into their youthful energy and inspire younger generations to explore the musical traditions of their forebears. “Collaborating in this manner and providing opportunities for new talents rather than solely relying on established figures in the industry was essential to me,” he explains.
Recently, Bad Bunny made headlines when he attended the 2024 Met Gala in New York City. He has been a vocal advocate for political causes, particularly in his native Puerto Rico. In 2019, he participated in protests that led to the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Bad Bunny has been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights, and his music, like the track “Andrea,” sheds light on issues of gender-based violence. Additionally, he released a 23-minute documentary in 2022 highlighting the life-threatening blackouts in Puerto Rico following the privatization of the island’s power grid.
In response to a controversial remark made at a political rally, Bad Bunny swiftly addressed the situation by sharing a video on Instagram stories featuring Kamala Harris expressing her support for Puerto Rico. He emphasizes the importance of standing up against insensitive comments, even if disguised as humor, especially in political settings. While his latest album may not always delve explicitly into political themes, Bad Bunny subtly touches on Puerto Rico’s complex relationship with the United States, as seen in the track “Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii.”
Through his music and actions, Bad Bunny continues to advocate for Puerto Rico’s heritage and autonomy amid ongoing challenges such as gentrification and political controversies.
He mentions that they lack understanding or interest in Puerto Rico politically and historically. They may not be aware that Puerto Ricans on the island do not vote for the president but can visit to legally avoid taxes. This fact surprised him. He emphasizes that his song “Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii” holds political undertones, yet he prefers to let its message speak for itself. Expressing himself politically through songs is his preferred method. He believes every Puerto Rican can interpret the message in their own way after listening, conducting their research to understand it best.
Days before the album’s launch, Martínez released a short film delving into economic and cultural alienation themes. The film portrays an elderly man, played by renowned Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, grappling with a Puerto Rico where country and rock music play as he heads to a gentrified bakery. This bakery is manned by an English-speaking server offering vegan quesitos. Despite concerns that Martínez’s rise to global fame and association with the Kardashians suggest he’s disconnected from his roots, his Puerto Rican heritage remains a defining aspect, especially in predominantly white spaces like Hollywood.
Martínez’s music and platform consistently highlight the personal impact of political decisions on Puerto Rico, such as road infrastructure, electricity access, and public spaces. The island faces significant poverty, exacerbated by austerity measures from Congressional actions in 2016. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” underscores Puerto Rico’s importance as a safe haven and a place to heal. While his previous album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” depicted the island’s sunny beaches, “Debí Tirar” focuses on the familial ambiance of Puerto Rico’s countryside, reflecting resistance and the struggle to protect the beaches from commercialization.
In a departure from his publicized romance with Kendall Jenner, Bad Bunny’s latest album, “Debí Tirar,” delves deeply into themes of heartbreak and nostalgia. Amidst lively tunes, the lyrics address yearning for a lover’s communication, coming to terms with the end of a relationship, and reconciling with missed opportunities. The titular track, “DtMF,” captures the sentiment of regret over missed gestures like kisses, embraces, and photographs with a lost love.
In discussing his album “Debí Tirar,” Bad Bunny, whose real name is Martínez, reveals that the songs within it are not necessarily centered on specific individuals. He explains, “I have written songs inspired by people that people don’t have a clue who they are. The meaning of the song can vary in many things, like the absence of a person who is no longer with you, or a love. But it can be many other things too, that are no longer there.” To label “Debí Tirar” solely as a collection of songs about romantic love would be an oversimplification.
Returning to his cultural roots, Bad Bunny showcases authenticity by embracing the elements of his heritage as a means to rediscover joy. This is a feeling he has pursued amidst heartbreak and as his career has led him away from Puerto Rico for extended periods. Martínez expresses, “At times you are perhaps a little nostalgic, a little sentimental… But at the same time, you are enjoying other things: playing dominoes with grandparents or with the family. Since we are also in Puerto Rico, we are at home, we are with the group: That is a reason to be happy, to be content.”
The quest for nostalgia is evident in the choice of the album release date, intentionally set on Víspera de Reyes, a significant date within Puerto Rico’s Christmas festivities where traditional music like jíbaro, plena, and bomba are celebrated. Martínez reflects, “It can be mixed with lots of modern-day music and rhythms,” evoking memories of his grandfather’s favorite music that he hopes will now be enjoyed year-round.
In contrast to the self-assured tone of his track “Nadie Sabe,” where he boasts about his achievements, Martínez showcases humility when discussing the final track of “Debí Tirar” titled “La Mudanza.” He remarks, “People see me as this giant superstar who has done all these things and is recognized. But nothing would be possible if my parents hadn’t met and made me.” This concluding song, which delves into his journey to global fame, serves as a tribute to his family. Over a salsa beat, he narrates the story of his parents’ meeting, paying homage to his grandparents, nieces, and nephews, as well as his fellow Puerto Ricans. “Yo soy de P f-ckin’ R,” he deliberately inserts in the closing song, referencing his 2020 hit that resonated as a symbol of Puerto Rican pride.
Martínez is well aware of the balancing act faced by immigrants striving for success abroad while still feeling the pull of home. Recalling a poignant memory from his childhood, he recounts a moment when his mother surprised him with a trip to New York City when he was 12.
