Bad Bunny and Puerto Rico, has he helped his beloved country?

Last week, I took mini vacation during Labory Day weekend to none other than destination hotspot Puerto Rico! Puerto Rico has always been a popular vacation spot known for its island vibes, spectacular beaches and warm and welcoming culture and nightlife! It has really gotten attention due to one of its most popular artists’ of all time, Bad Bunny or “El Conejo Malo”! From his career and worldwide fandom starting back when he released his first global album, X100 Pre, that was released on December 2018 that was such a chart topping album it won the Latin Grammy, Grammy and billboard Latin music awards. Many were awaiting a real album release from the reggaeton artist as he had popular records that everyone knew before and an album of his own was way overdue. Through the years he has proven to excel at every album release giving us a different rythm and musical taste along with a changing theme. When he announced his “La Residencia” music tour dates, to be hosted in “El Choli” or otherwise known as Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, it was a frenzy for many to obtain tickets. Thousands upon thousands of fans raced to the computer to obtain their tickets and for those who lived in Puerto Rico who had first dibs on tickets for the first nine shows, that were sold at different locations on the island. With the sales starting on January 15, and selling out on the same day. With presale and ticketing sites, starting on January 17 for the "No Me Quiero Ir de Aqui" for the rest of the world and only at "El Choli" in Puerto Rico and later in May the sales for tickets that were just for "Debi tirar Mas Fotos" world tour. Bad Bunny has always been very passionate about his puerto rican heritage and roots. For him to conduct a show for only taking place on the island was monumental and homage to the residents and praise for his home. Thus giving another reason to enjoy and respect him as an artist and the deep adoration and respect he has for his upbringing and his fans.

People, including me, were flocking to online to use their "pre sale" code to buy tickets before they were wiped out. When videos started circulating showing the massive lines of residents lining up for their tickets in the hot sun and not to mention his many surprise appearances including in many local places at different cities. With his first concert on July 11, his show featured song from his album,"Debi Tirar Mas Fotos", and many of the tracks mentioned his references to his upbringing and the story of his parents,such as " La Madunza" and their meeting and thanking them for his childhood and the influence they had on his life. As well, another song, "Lo Que Paso Hawaii' talking about the revolution and the take over that is occurring in the island, clearly due to the island becoming apart of the U.S. much as Hawaii was once its own country before being colonized and taken over. When Puerto Rico was officially made a commonwealth, apart of the United States territory, it drastically caused friction within the island, throughout the lives of the people and how it could and has affected them. Even on my last visit, we met an organization that helps to educate and advocate for the rights of the people, providing information and trying to provide updates on what actually is happening on the island. Such as funds being cut, in a major way to the education system and as well, deforestation and misuse of its resources for profit, and not to mention major culture shock to the island and gentrification, one of the examples of wanting to get rid of the coquis due to the noise complaints, a natural born animal to Puerto Rico and its sounds are what makes its so appealing. These themes and other songs such as "DTMF", reminiscing about memories and living in the moment and appreciating the present or Cafe Con Ron which is a plena song, that is a specific genre of music found in Puerto Rico withs its drums and was used as a way to spread news and talk about current events or "Pitorro de Coco" which introduced,as it is a traditional drink and gained notoriety, which I even had to try and it was pretty good. Through his music he sang a remembrance, and messages of love, political change and warning, and thankfulness and in my opinion, a love letter to the island and its people and the culture.

The impact of his thirty one residency shows he performed were a cultural celebration. Even the stage, " La Casita" based off of a pink house in Humacao, which was also nostalgic to traditional homes you see on the island, and among the merengue and salsa and the plena band performing and the overall "vibra" the culture offers made for a wonderful show. Among it were the guest appearances he had perform with, and the attendees at the concert. The list included artists such as Jay Wheeler, Jhayco, Eladio Carrion, Arcangel, RaiNao, Jowell y Randy, Residente, and Marc Anthony performing his last show. With many other guest appearances from Ricky Martin, Young Miko, Penelope Cruz, LeBron James, Nengo Flow, Becky G, De La Ghetto, Ivy Queen, El Alfa, Ozuna, Luis Fonsi, Bizzarap, El Alfa, Feid and with many more not mentioned it’s safe to stay Bad Bunny really pulled out all the stops with his attendees. Each of his performances represented the music and dedication and work that they put into becoming a well

Known artist and being Latino and proud. Even though not being able to attend the actual

concert, but walking around the mini festival at the Coliseo before the concert you felt the energy and watched as salsa and played the drums and everybody coming together in their outfits and wanting to see him perform was truly momentous in itself. For the love of his fans to present one of the greatest shows, which he never falls short after watching him four times myself!

With that being said, the economical impact that it left on Puerto Rico spoke for itself. The concert brought in $400 million dollars from the impact of concert goers on the tourism industry, marking it a huge success for the economy and people as well. Not to mention creating 8,000 jobs on the island during his residency. All this starting from wanting to perform in his birthplace, but he had also mentioned the impact of the ice raids and not wanting his fans to be worried or scared, which again shows how caring he is towards his fans. With the ending of his residency in Puerto Rico, few days later he revealed to the world that he would be the performer of the NFL halftime show, proving again the Bad Bunny has broken through many doors and continues to rise as an artist globally!