Movies

Bad Bunny urges Puerto Ricans to own their rhythm in emotional hometown show

BBG News

A young woman stepped out from the shadows into a lush, leafy glade. Beneath false moonlight, she roamed across the stage, conversing with herself. “Where is my camera?” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with alarm. “I can’t believe I misplaced it – all my precious memories were kept there.

A short while later, a young fellow emerged from the same location, scrutinizing the surroundings with a troubled expression. “Have you chanced upon my drums?” he inquired. When he beats those drums, his pulse quickens, he clarified; his community experiences happiness, and even the living, the deceased, and the stars seem to dance in rhythm. “It’s as if all our memories reside within them,” he added.

Kicking off the inaugural event of his 30-show residency in San Juan with a touching introduction, Bad Bunny exclusively welcomed residents of Puerto Rico during the initial three weekends, requiring proof of local residency for entry.

Weekends find the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, fondly known as El Choli by locals, hosting a concert series centered around the artist’s recent album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” This event, titled “I don’t want to leave here,” is a nod to the lyrics of his 2022 hit, “El Apagón,” and reflects the artist’s ongoing connection to his homeland.

This vibrant work, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” embodies and celebrates Puerto Rican identity, a resilient spirit that’s deeply rooted in its rich music and history. It encourages listeners not to overlook moments, reminding us that past, present, and future aren’t separate entities but an interwoven, indivisible tapestry of time.

Enthusiastic fans who attended the inaugural concerts were rewarded with Benito performing at the zenith of his abilities, along with demonstrating impressive stamina. For nearly three hours and more than 35 songs, he danced, sauntered, and sung to the thunderous applause of over 15,000 people in attendance. The show began with the rumble of bomba y plena, and an unreleased track that ignited excitement among the crowd — this was followed by recent hits such as “Ketu Tecré,” “El Clúb” and “Pitorro de Coco.” He then entertained the audience with a runway performance of “Kloufrens” and “Weltita,” which included a guest appearance by Chuwi, the adored tropical jazz quartet from Isabela.

As a movie lover, I must say, the two stages were nothing short of spectacular, boasting both size and top-notch production quality. The main stage was a breathtaking replica, evoking the lush greenery of Puerto Rico’s rainforest and its central hillside towns. On one side, you could catch a glimpse of the two famous Monobloc chairs from the album cover, while on the other stood a vibrant flamboyán tree adorned with red flowers. At the far end of the coliseum, there was a pristine pink vacation home, meticulously designed to mimic the one featured in the short film that premiered alongside the album.

In this film, Jacobo Moralez portrays the character of an elderly man, while Kenneth Canales lends his voice to Concho, a affectionate Puerto Rican crested toad depicted by stop-motion animation genius Quique Rivera. These two unexpected roommates reappeared in two fresh episodes during the concert, setting up residence in a cabin smack dab in the heart of a snowy forest. Concho yearns for the tropical warmth of his Caribbean homeland and feels a great distance from it. However, Old Man gently reminds him: “We’re Puerto Rican no matter where we are, and even when we’re far away, we protect what is ours.

He emphasizes, directly addressing the camera, “Puerto Rico is truly the heartbeat of passion.” This remark triggered a series of visuals, displaying pictures of significant protests and acts of civil disobedience that have been conducted throughout the years by Puerto Rican revolutionaries.

Benito resurfaced beneath the flamboyán tree, finding himself alongside guitarist Antonio Caraballo. Here, a touch of his melancholic “Sad Bunny” character emerged as they revisited acoustic renditions of past favorites such as “Si Estuviésemos Juntos,” “Ni Bien Ni Mal,” and “Amorfoda,” culminating in “Turista.” Throughout the performance, Benito shared profound thoughts with the crowd, empathizing about heartfelt topics.

The action quickly shifted, moving from the tranquil countryside to a vibrant pink house where dancers in club attire and Benito’s longtime tour DJ Orma gathered. For those seeking an energetic perreo party, their wishes were granted as his salsa-dembow fusion track “Nuevayol” ignited a 16-song sequence of exhilarating, sweaty reggaeton and trap hits. The coliseum was transformed into a nightclub as Benito leaped from “Titi Me Preguntó” and “La Jumpa” to “Yo Perreo Sola” and “Efecto.”

The action swiftly transitioned from the serene countryside to a lively pink house where club-attired dancers and Benito’s longtime tour DJ Orma congregated. For those craving a wild perreo party, their desires were fulfilled as his salsa-dembow blend track “Nuevayol” sparked a 16-song series of electrifying, sweaty reggaeton and trap anthems. The coliseum morphed into a nightclub as Benito hopped from “Titi Me Preguntó” to “La Jumpa,” then to “Yo Perreo Sola” and “Efecto.

That evening, some of the attendees included basketball great LeBron James, NBA champion Draymond Green, as well as Steve Stoute, who is a key figure in both Black culture and business, being the CEO of UnitedMasters.

James and Benito have been friends for many years, so it’s understandable that he would want to spend time with his friend – even if that friend is an American – during a concert featuring an artist who currently isn’t on good terms with the United States. However, if the stage set-up was meant to depict a home owned by non-Puerto Ricans, as suggested in the narrative, Benito might as well show off and invite some high-profile foreigners. At one point, cheers of “MVP! MVP!” were heard, causing the four-time NBA champion to return the love with a heart gesture towards the audience. Everything’s cool.

Here’s a more conversational and clear way of stating the same idea: “In an unexpected turn of events, LeBron James was seen dancing near an air conditioner unit as Bad Bunny performed ‘Safaera.’

On the rooftop of the house, Benito repeatedly brought up the subject of time, remarking, “It’s easy to be swept away by the excitement of the present and forget to savor it.” He urged the audience to put down their phones and focus on the current song, as well as those around them – whether a companion, someone nearby who has caught their attention, or even someone across the room whose gaze they have met. “Seize this moment,” he emphasized, suggesting they ask for a dance before the catchy beat of “Eoo,” known for its appearance in his steamy Calvin Klein underwear commercial, filled the room with rhythm.

Always keep playing your drums.

Bad Bunny reappeared, appearing slightly more reserved. He spoke gently yet firmly on the topic of Puerto Rico and its battle against gentrification and government negligence. “We must safeguard this land,” he stated. “We must protect what’s ours if we want our children to build a life here.” He continued by serenading “Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii,” a poignant décima about the impending existential threat to the archipelago.

A lively, animated overview of salsa history, delivered by Néstor Galán, provided a grand introduction for Benito’s live band, Los Sobrinos, to gather. Dressed in 70’s Fania-style bandleader attire, Benito guided the ensemble towards the climax of their performance: a modern take on “Callaíta,” followed by “Baile Inolvidable” and “Dtmf.” The audience sprang up, whirling and dancing to the beats.

Prior to starting the freestyle of “La Mudanza”, he momentarily halted to collect his thoughts; he then removed his sunglasses, exposing eyes filled with tears and appreciation. As a large Puerto Rican flag adorned the ceiling, he encouraged everyone to join him in shouting the closing lyrics together: “No one will drive me away, I’m not leaving, let them know this is my place, where my grandfather was born, I’m from Puerto Rico!

Leading up to last year’s gubernatorial elections in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny personally invested a large sum of money to purchase billboard ads criticizing the incumbent party. He accused them of causing the island’s problems and urged voters not to support them. The ads were straightforward, with white text on a black background. Unfortunately, the same party that has been in power since 2017 was reelected, and since then, the current governor, Jenniffer González-Colón (a member of the Republican Party), has remained embroiled in controversy.

As you stepped into the concert zone, huge screens above the main stage displayed a single message in white on black: “Yo Te Lo Dije,” which translates to “I Told You So.” After the performance ended and people started leaving, another familiar message popped up: “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí,” meaning “I Don’t Want To Leave Here.

Through his residency, Bad Bunny inspires Puerto Ricans with an impassioned call to action: Take action today! Shape the future in such a way that you’ll be proud of it and won’t look back on the past with regret. Above all, keep playing those drums without ceasing.

Read More

2025-07-14 21:01

Previous post Travis Scott Unleashes New “DUMBO” Music Video
Next post Clash Royale Skeleton Barrel Evolution best decks guide