Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (”DtMf”), rang in the New Year as a celebration of pride for many Latinos around the country. Although his album was catered to pay tribute to those from his homeland of Puerto Rico, Latinos from different parts of the world adopted it as their own. Even non-Latines translated the lyrics and found ways to relate to his music.
‘Bad Bunny is Spotify’s most streamed Latin artist worldwide’ according to Billboard 100. He continues to dominate not only the Latin music scene but all the national and global charts as well. All 17 songs have been streamed across the globe, and the impactful, inspirational and lighthearted lyrics have also gotten recognition through social media.
This led to a trend on TikTok where users put together a montage of their loved ones who have passed away and are no longer there with them, regardless of their cultural background. When the song was initially released many thought “DtMf” was a tribute to an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. However, over time his fans discovered a new, relevant and relatable meaning for all.
The new meaning of this emotional song even made Bad Bunny cry on TikTok. The 14-second TikTok video received 138.3 million views with a total of 18.7 million likes.
Culturally, this album has impacted Puerto Ricans as they have felt a connection towards the new salsa beats and lyrics delivered by Bad Bunny. Latina Magazine has confirmed that the blended beats of salsa and reggaeton have pleased Puerto Ricans, and have used his music as a form of storytelling.
Due to the mixture of salsa beats and samples of older songs with trap, dembow and reggaeton melodies, Bad Bunny has bridged multi-generational gaps. Many showed their parents the specific song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” and posted their reactions on TikTok. Many parents and grandparents get out of their seats and suddenly start dancing as these songs follow the same rhythms of those from esteemed artists like Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe.
His impressive switch of beats incorporates various genres. If you’re a longtime Bad Bunny fan you’ve probably been following him since his trap era but “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” brings his listeners something like never before. Kevin Ortego-Rojas an Afro-Latino writer and content creator interviewed Bad Bunny and discovered through the interview what Bad Bunny was trying to convey is that the album is made for everyone but those who want to explore the deeper meaning must invest their time. There is no such thing as a language barrier when it comes to Bad Bunny, the beats work to create a universal language.
Bad Bunny has united generations and cultures. This is shown through each and every one of his songs on his album but also visually. The album cover itself is a statement that spans through generations, and many Latinos have found ways to connect to it. When the album cover is interpreted by Latines they view it as the chairs their loved ones used to sit in during family gatherings.
Nicole Ortiz, a Florida resident, described how her grandmothers from both sides of the family have passed, and what the plastic chairs meant to her. “I see my grandmother in that chair playing dominoes with my uncle and dad,” Ortiz told NBC News in a recent interview. She has relatives in Puerto Rico so this hit close to home. For her, the chairs represented good times which involved cultural Latine gatherings but also brought sadness upon her because her loved ones aren’t here anymore. However, that memory is forever with her. To Ortiz and many other listeners all over the world, this evokes a nostalgic feeling that makes them look back into time and have gratitude for where they came from.
His cultural influence on the world has resulted in popularity because he uses self-expression through music. He encouraged his fans to appreciate what is going on in the present and the people around us who love us in an interview with the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
Bad Bunny continues to leave his mark on the world. Pop-up photo booths hosted by Amazon Music Latin have been spotted around the U.S. such as Miami, New York, and Chicago. He will also be having a residency in Puerto Rico called “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí.” With 21 shows to come starting in July, Puerto Rico will be the place to be this summer. Out of the 21 shows, the first nine will solely be for Puerto Rican residents, according to ABC News. Those with a Puerto Rican address can purchase a ticket in person on the island at various locations.
Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, the album will get you out of your seat and on your feet. Go stream Bad Bunny’s “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” on Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube Music, and Pandora.