Bad Bunny, otherwise known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been one of the most popular Puerto Rican artists in the past couple years and has risen to fame since the release of his album “Un Verano Sin Ti” in May 2022. Since then, he’s not only been a figure in Puerto Rico but has taken his fame across the states and cultures all over the world. On Jan. 6, he released his newest album titled “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” and has created an uproar from not only Latinos but everyone as this album has touched so many people, me included.
I grew up listening to Bad Bunny and have heard his transition from reggaeton and trap to more house music and pop. In this most recent album, its more than the music. In this case, he brings the current issues in Puerto Rico to light. While the songs on this album are good on their own, his lyricism advocates and shines light on the issues of gentrification in Puerto Rico and embraces the culture of the music of the island.
The album opens with “NUEVAYoL” as a homage to all the “Newyoricans.” The song is first on the album and one of the first Ocasio produced as stated in an interview on Popcast as he also emphasized that there’s much Puerto Rican history and culture in New York such as that being the home where the flag was made. There’s a multitude of videos which can be found online of people emotionally reacting to each song on TikTok and Instagram.
“It’s like the reunion of the whole Latino community,” Ocasio said.
The most popular and one of my favorite songs on the album is “DtMF” which happens to also be the album name abbreviated. I enjoy the rhythm of the music just as much as the lyrics. Listening to this for the first time made me emotional as “debí tirar mas fotos” translates to “I should have taken more photos” which reminds me of past loved ones and really makes me think. The songs message is so beautiful along with the background vocals he has during the chorus which is multiple people singing which makes it more enjoyable to listen to.
As I mentioned before the album is more than the music and the track “LO QUE PASO A HAWAii” is an amazing song to listen to and is on the slower side, but it creates a sense of emotion I can’t explain. The song is an act of resistance and emphasizes the devastating effect of gentrification in Puerto Rico. I connect to this song deeply as I’m Puerto Rican and have a lot of family who lives on the island whom I visit and have personally seen the issues Ocasio sings about firsthand.
The lyrics “Quieren quitarme el rio Y tambien la playa, Quierren al barrio mio Y que tus hijos se vayan,” translate to “They want to take my river and my beach too, they want my neighborhood and your kids to leave.” What Ocasio manages to do in this song is to bring to light the issues which have already happened to one island which he wishes not to be repeated and I find it touching.
I will say that there are some songs on the album which I don’t favorite like “EoO,” “BOKeTE” and “CAFe CON RON” ft. Los Pleneros de la Cresta. These songs aren’t bad, but I don’t love their kind of genre. They’re just not for me.
The album ends with “LA MuDANZA” which ends the album off on a high note. He sings about the story of his parents and how they met and how he came to be. He sings about the overall success of his life and how no matter what he will always be from Puerto Rico no matter how famous he gets.
“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” is an amazing album overall and speaks on issues that need to be brought to the main media and that’s what Ocasio does. He elicits an emotional reaction to his music which I find refreshing as in the musical space today so much could be advocated for and isn’t. Ocasio manages to balance the importance of advocacy with classic Puerto Rican music that people and dance to and look forward to the warmer seasons ahead. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
