Yes, My Unhealthy Obsession Is Justified
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, has been named Spotify’s Top Global Artist for the third year in a row with over 18.5 billion streams in 2022. As he should. His catchy music, cheeky lyrics and authentic persona have charmed an entire following into dancing unapologetically and vibing to good music no matter what language you speak. Personally, I have a completely unhealthy obsession with him and his latest album, Un Verano Sin Ti, translating to “A Summer Without You,” which emanates both a relaxing beach theme by day and a bustling club scene by night (with a few lovesick moments here and there).
Bad Bunny’s music, though frequently revolving around partying and love, also touches on some very serious topics. ‘Yo Perreo Sola’, which was released in 2020, covers issues concerning COVID, the LGBTQ+ community as well as sexual violence. It’s about a woman who goes to the clubs just to dance alone and have a good time. The most striking feature of this music video is that Bad Bunny is the only person in the music video and is dressed in drag to show that anyone who identifies as a woman is acknowledged and supported with this song. One lyric translates to, “She’ll call you if she needs you / But for now she is alone,” resonating with women around the world who are simply dancing for themselves and not for any man.
The end of the music video features an important PSA: “Si no quiere bailar contigo, respeta, ella perrea sola.” (If she doesn’t want to dance with you, respect her, she dances alone). It’s a very strong message highlighting the harassment women tend to face and that their outfit or style of dancing is not an invitation, which Bad Bunny addresses through the powerful medium of song. Many around the world also made it their ‘quarantine anthem’, loving that it encouraged social distancing with the idea of dancing alone.
Not only does Bad Bunny’s very danceable and singable music make him an icon, but so does his authenticity in breaking gender norms. On several occasions, he has been seen wearing dresses and skirts with painted nails and traditionally “feminine jewelry. ” On the front cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s magazine issue in September 2022, Bad Bunny — the first Latino and solo male to make the magazine’s cover — sported an all-white outfit with a long white skirt and necklaces from Tiffany & Co.
*cue the applause*
At the 2022 Met Gala, he was decked out in a beige suit that had a long skirt rather than pants, for no reason other than ‘he prefers skirts when red-carpet bound,” according to GQ Magazine. Similarly, in his music video for ‘Tití Me Preguntó’, he’s seen wearing a brown and white suit at a wedding with a long brown skirt, further blurring gender norms when it comes to fashion. Like Harry Styles, artists like these are revolutionizing the industry by being true to themselves in a way that blends masculinity and femininity and breaks free from gender-specific restrictions.
On many accounts, Bad Bunny has shown his support for the LGBTQ+ community, as I mentioned earlier. He’s defended them by leading protests against the Puerto Rican government and calling out many people via Twitter who have openly made anti-LGBTQ+ comments. In one instance, he took to Twitter to voice his disapproval when artist Don Omar made homophobic comments following rumors surrounding a sex tape involving Latin singer Ozuna.
Additionally, another song, ‘Caro,’ features Bad Bunny getting his nails done and being kissed by both a male and a female, leading many to wonder if this was his own way of coming out. Though the singer has expressed in an interview with the LA Times that he is currently heterosexual and likes women, he also admitted that “one never knows in life,” so he’s open to the possibility that one day, he could like a man. Furthermore, he performed a show on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in honor of a trans woman who was murdered in Puerto Rico, displaying his everlasting love for all despite gender and sexual orientation differences.
Through Bad Bunny’s music, anyone and everyone can find acceptance, a point that the artist really tries to sell. He’s shared that he values being authentic as many celebrities have lost who they are by letting go of who they are. The 28-year-old has already revolutionized the global music industry and I am so excited to see what more he can do simply by openly being his true self. Anyway, go stream ‘La Jumpa’ by Bad Bunny and Arcángel.