Courtesy of RIMAS

Bad Bunny celebrates his Puerto Rican culture in his latest album.

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, popular Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny released his sixth album, titled: Debí Tirar Más Fotos. In this latest release, it is clear he was heavily influenced by Puerto Rican culture and music. He uses traditional beats and rhythms that transport the listener to the Caribbean island. This album is well put together and gives listeners a snapshot of what life is like in Puerto Rico, and has brought a sense of nostalgia to people who grew up listening to this style of music.

This album truly surprised me and I loved almost all the tracks, whereas I only like a couple tracks from his previous album. This might be his best album yet, and the artist does a great job of transporting the listener to Puerto Rico. The album allows room to appreciate some of the music and rhythms of Puerto Rico. There is also a large variety of instruments and sounds used, which makes it interesting and engaging. There are plenty of unconventional instruments that round out the songs. This is a great way to introduce the many sounds of Puerto Rico to listeners.

Not only do the sounds of this album create a relaxing and magical atmosphere, the stories Bad Bunny tells through the lyrics paint a beautiful picture. In many ways this album feels like you have been transported to a place and are part of a story. It allows you to walk in Bad Bunny’s shoes and see his view of Puerto Rican culture. This is especially true in tracks such as; “Nuevayol,” “Voy a Llevarte Pa PR,” and my personal favorite: “Weltita.”

This album is filled to the brim with amazing songs, but there are a couple that blew my mind. The first track, “Nuevayol” is a strong start to the album. It immediately draws you in and feels slightly otherworldly. The song is incredible, but at the bridge there is a rap part that is just astounding and an epic transition from traditional styles to modern ones. Of all the remarkable tracks on this album, I really loved “Weltita.” This song just makes you feel like you are watching the ocean on a relaxing day on the beach. The story it tells is sweet and wholesome, and is overall an addicting listen.

Not only is this album a masterpiece musically, but Bad Bunny manages to sneak political and social commentary into some of the songs. He addresses gentrification in Puerto Rico through his song “Lo Que Paso a Hawaii.” This song isn’t just meaningful, but is still wonderfully produced. Bad Bunny does a great job of making a statement, while producing a quality song. He does this again in the final track, “La Mudanza” which is a summary of his life. It’s a powerful song and a great end to the album.

Combining cultural elements, reggae, and rap is not a task to take lightly, but with this album Bad Bunny blew it out of the water. The music is so beautiful and exciting, making it a great listening experience. This has been my favorite Bad Bunny album, and I was surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed it. This album is so well put together and It can be enjoyed by all regardless of language barriers. Albums like this invite people to engage in other cultures and their music, which has only become more important as Pop Culture remains western and elitist.