Bad Bunny has become the voice of the Latin community.
Bad Bunny’s album DeBí TiRAR Más FOToS, which translates to I should have taken more photos, was released on Jan. 5. It reached the top spot on the Billboard Global 200 chart within the first few weeks of its release. Bad Bunny, also known as Benito Ocasio, released his first album in 2017 and has since collaborated with artists such as Drake and Rauw Alejandro. Starting his music journey in his homeland of Puerto Rico is something Ocasio has subtlely emphasized in each of his albums. But his latest release serves as a complete homage to Puerto Rico.
Ocasio captured elements of Puerto Rican culture through his lyrics and style of music behind in of the 17 tracks. The songs feature sounds ranging from salsa to dembow, which is a form of Puerto Rican reggaeton.
The cover of the album, which features two white plastic chairs in front of a large banana tree, raised many questions from listeners. However, for many Hispanic listeners and their families, it evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. Growing up in a Colombian household, family time was sacred and became a routine. Every Sunday, we would visit my grandmother’s house and sit on the patio, talking for hours. For me, I knew I would connect with the album’s meaning just by looking at the cover. For others, the cover was only the beginning, it encouraged a deeper exploration of the messages conveyed in each track.
“BAILE INoLVIDABLE” and “DtMF” are the two songs that one may have most likely heard on social media or even on the radio. People around the world have listened to these songs, dancing with their partners to each verse and chorus. Even at CVHS, I’ve heard this song playing during cheer practices or in the background of group conversations. It’s inevitable, hearing this song out loud makes you want to get up and dance, or at least crack a smile. Whether or not someone speaks Spanish, they can quickly grasp the meaning of the album’s most heartfelt track: “DtMF.”
When I first listened to this song, I was immediately overwhelmed with regret, nostalgia and happiness. While the song reflects Ocasio’s past, it allowed me to reminisce about my own family’s history. Growing up, people rarely think about what happens when a loved one is no longer in their lives. When they’re gone, we wish we had paid more attention to certain moments or remembered them more clearly. “DtMF” is a “remember those” track that perfectly captured my emotions. While it made me think of those I’ve lost, it also reminded me to appreciate the people in my life today. This song has become a staple at family gatherings, playing in the background during dinner and as we dance around the living room until our legs give out.
Sharing the culture of dance in Latin communities is something Ocasio executes perfectly in “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.”As the album’s third track, it blends variations of salsa riffs to create a rhythm that is unforgettable. The song reconnects listeners to memories of long nights of dancing and worry-free times. Growing up in a different music generation than my parents, I was never heavily exposed to salsa or the dance culture embedded in Latin music. Through this song, I get a glimpse of how my mom experienced dance at my age. In an industry where Latin music is depicted as “meaningless” or “racialized”, this song has broken barriers and has allowed a unity among any culture.
DeBí TiRAR Más FOToS also features several songs with deeper political roots tied to Puerto Rico. “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” is the most influential, alluding to the gentrification and disruption occurring on the island. Puerto Rico has become a hot spot for tourism and real estate, with many seeking to capitalize on its beauty while disregarding the lives and history of those who live there.
This album has spoken to both my heart and ears, allowing me to connect with the roots of a culture that I have found a new appreciation for. From the cover of the album to the story told in each song, DeBí TiRAR Más FOToS is my album of the year and will continue to be the soundtrack to many memories to come.
