Bad Bunny “Debió Cambiar Más Canciones”

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I believe that in his latest “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny “DeBIÓ CamBIAR MáS CanCIONeS.” I love what he did with this blend of Reggaetón, Salsa, and Plena. This is making him even more popular than he already was. But to become a respectable star, he needs to complete the transformation. Let me explain.

Salsa & Plena in “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”

DtMF dives into two main themes: heartbreak and nationalism. At times, he masterfully intertwined both themes, like when he expressed heartbreak due to things occurring in Puerto Rico (“Lo Que le Paso a Hawái”).

To deliver these themes, he expanded beyond reggaetón and incorporated Salsa, arguably the most popular rhythm on the island, and Plena, one of our folkloric rhythms from the early part of the 20th century. The songs in Salsa and Plena, combined with Bad Bunny’s heartbreak and nationalistic lyrics, give this album a patriotic flare that has spread through the island and elsewhere like wildfire.

I absolutely loved the salsa songs in “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.” Keep in mind I’m a core “salsero”, or a “salsero de la mata”. They are well-made with good “soneos” sung in “clave.” “Baile Inolvidable” is especially good and makes you want to immediately get up and dance.

However, let me point out that Bad Bunny isn’t the first “reggaetonero” to sing salsa. Remember Julio Voltio’s mega-hit “Amor de Una Noche” with N’Klabe back in 2005? Or Tego Calderón’s collaboration with José Lugo’s Guasábara band in “Con Los Pobres Estoy” during the 2011 Banco Popular Christmas special? And I’m stopping there because the list is longer.

Benito added more Puerto Rican culture to “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by including the folk rhythm of Plena and incorporating folk instruments like the “cuatro” guitar, the “panderos,” and the “güiro” or “güícharo.” I challenge you not to move with the infectious plena beat of “Café con Ron.”

To the best of my knowledge, Bad Bunny might be the first to record “plenas” and use the “cuatro” guitar in a reggaetón recording.

Bad Bunny emphasized the nationalistic sentiment in the album by writing lyrics that encouraged Puerto Rican independence. “Lo que le pasó a Hawái” is a great example. It’s a well-written song that delivers its message beautifully. Whether you or I agree with it is another 20 bucks!

DeBIÓ CamBIAR MáS CanCIONeS

Bad Bunny and reggaetón need to evolve! DtMF demonstrated, in some songs, that it could be done. The public overwhelmingly supports another type of message in songs. It’s possible that Bad Bunny planned this album as a slow evolution in that direction, testing the waters to see if his fans and perhaps a broader audience would like it. In that regard, it was a much bigger success than he had expected.

Now, there’s no excuse. Reggaetón should phase out sexually explicit songs that denigrate women. It’s a rhythm catchy enough that its fans will continue to support it even without the sexually explicit lyrics. Older stars of the genre, like Vico C and Daddy Yankee, realized this and began that clean-up.

If Bad Bunny wants to become a respectable star, he needs to complete the evolution that began in this album. He’s already a super-mega star. And super rich. But he won’t be a respectable star until everyone can play his albums in front of their 8-year-old daughters and not feel ashamed of it.

“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” is the best album I’ve heard from Bad Bunny and has many things worth cheering for. If this is Bad Bunny’s start of transforming into a respectable star, he’s off to a good start.

However, Bad Bunny “DeBIÓ CamBIAR MáS CanCIONeS.”

Written by Héctor Avilés for LatinoMusicCafe.com