Latin music king Bad Bunny’s passion for Puerto Rico and his commitment to the island are well known. El Conejo has never been shy about sharing his frustrations with the government or utility companies (especially electricity), or even participating in protests.
However, no one expected the Puerto Rican artist, usually known for his laid-back and bubbly demeanor, to lose control and fight back tears while talking about the hardships Puerto Ricans are facing today.
The reggaetón star broke down in tears as he discussed the dire political and social issues facing his homeland. The anguish in his voice was unmistakable as he shared the frustration he felt as tourists drawn to Puerto Rico by its music and his fans around the world enjoy Latin music “without knowing what’s really going on.” In that vein, he urged the younger generation to take charge of their future by registering to vote in the upcoming general election.
In a rare and candid interview on the YouTube podcast “El Tony pregunta,” which went live on September 2, Bad Bunny went beyond just his music—although he did say there was more to come—and used the platform to express deep concerns about Puerto Rico’s future, advocate for change, and encourage youth on the island to register with the State Election Commission (CEE).
His call wasn’t just a call to action; it was a heartfelt, almost desperate cry for a better tomorrow for the island he loved so much. “I really care about Puerto Rico, and I don’t know if it’s the weight of it all… Oh my gosh, I’m going to cry and everything. Yeah, I’m crying,” he admitted, covering his face with his hands to hide the tears.
Panting, face wet and eyes watering, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny’s real name, added: “To go out there and give it my all, not just for myself, but always to represent. Knowing that there are people all over the world, in Japan, in Germany, who know Puerto Rico because of my music, because of other artists, because of salsa, because of our culture, because of our people. Tourists come here and say, ‘Oh, it’s beautiful,’ but they leave without knowing what happens here, without knowing the suffering of the people who live here.”
Benito emphasized the power of Puerto Rican youth to set the country on a new path by voting in the upcoming general election on November 5. “Yes, it’s good to denounce things on social media; it’s good to protest in the streets, so that we can feel like a people. But I believe the biggest protest is to go to the polls on November 5 against the people who led us to this mess,” he declared.
The reggaeton star held nothing back, speaking candidly about his disdain for politics while also defending his right to express his opinions about elected public officials. “I never want to talk about politics because it’s bullshit. I don’t want to get involved… I speak like any other Puerto Rican who wants to express his opinion about the situation in the country where I live,” he said. “I’m who I am. I don’t get involved in politics. Politics enters my life because politics affects my country, it affects Puerto Rico,” he added, his frustration palpable.
Bad Bunny also reminded listeners of his active involvement in the 2019 protests that led to the resignation of then-governor Ricardo Rosselló. He made it clear that this spirit of resistance must continue at the ballot box, declaring, “Ricky’s got to go, and now it’s time to go on November 5.”
Benito also shared his dreams for his beloved Isla del Encanto: “I want my people to live happily here.” He also revealed that he wants to have children and “would love to send them to public school. But which one?” he added, referring to the quality of public education.
Original article published in Latin Times.
Bad Bunny Card