Bad Bunny: DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS

By Alexandra Guerrero

Bad Bunny’s discography has become a staple must-play at every function. He is known
for his party anthems and his ability to advocate for social issues through his platform. In his song “El Apagon” he addressed the blackouts that were surging through Puerto Rico due to gentrification. In 2020 his performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon honored the murder of Alexa Negron Luciano, a transgender woman who was killed for using the women’s bathroom in Puerto Rico. He wore a shirt that read “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.” In Bad Bunny’s new film and album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (I Should’ve Taken More Pictures), he sends a powerful message to the Puerto Rican and Latinx community by utilizing a film, sentimental lyrics, and a nostalgic mix of Latin sound to address the issue of gentrification while advocating for the preservation of Puerto Rican culture.

The short film “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” features Grammy-nominated Puerto Ricanfilmmaker, Jacobo Morales. The film begins with Jacobo reminiscing on memories of his
beloved island with his friend Concho. He decides to walk down to the neighborhood bakery. During his walk, rock and country music in English play in the background as an American family stares at Jacobo as he passes. When he arrives at the bakery, Jacobo discovers that his go-to order has changed. Even worse, the price of his order has gone up to the point where he can no longer afford it. He attempts to pay in cash but learns the establishment has turned “cashless.” This short film evoked many negative emotions for me. I felt upset when Jacobo, a Puerto Rican native, was made to feel like an outsider on his own island. Here Bad Bunny addresses the current gentrification that is happening in Puerto Rican communities which is causing Puerto Rican natives to not  be able to afford living on the island.

In his album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” his lyrics depict similar issues like gentrification
and displacement. The album serves as a love letter to his beloved culture with nostalgic sounds like dembow and salsa are implemented into reggaeton. Refusing to cater to the American English-speaking crowd, he unapologetically stays true to his culture.

Through the lyrics of the song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” (Unforgettable Dance), he expresses his love for the island’s culture. In the song “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” (What Happened in Hawaii) he explores the possible future of the culture of the island based on what has become of another U.S. territory, Hawaii. In “TURSiTA” (Tourist) he addresses luxury developments of outside investors on the island. The album and accompanying film sent a powerful message which debuted with over 36 million streams. Not only that, but he has sent a passionate message to all Latin Americans to reclaim our culture and roots.

“Mientras uno está vivo uno debe amar lo más qué pueda” – Jacobo Morales in Debí Tirar Más

Fotos short film. <3