New Books in Political Science Vanessa Díaz and Petra R. Rivera-Rideau, "P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance" (Duke UP, 2026)
Jan 14, 2026
Vanessa Díaz and Petra R. Rivera-Rideau, scholars of Puerto Rican culture and music, delve into Bad Bunny's rise as a symbol of resistance. They discuss the cultural impact of colonialism on his life and music, illustrating how he merges joy with protest. The duo explores the evolution of reggaeton and Latin trap, and Bad Bunny's strategic choices in music distribution through streaming platforms. They also highlight his role in pivotal political moments, including Hurricane Maria and the 2019 protests, emphasizing his commitment to Puerto Rican identity and activism.
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Classroom Project Became A Scholarly Book
- Vanessa Díaz and Petra Rivera-Rideau conceived the project from teaching courses and the Bad Bunny syllabus, turning classroom work into a book.
- They use Bad Bunny as a hook to teach Puerto Rican history, politics, and culture to wider audiences.
Ordinary Roots, Global Reach
- Bad Bunny rose from Vega Baja with ordinary Puerto Rican roots and became a global superstar.
- His trajectory (SoundCloud to global headliner) reflects broader shifts in streaming and Latin music visibility.
Colonial Context Shapes His Politics
- Growing up in Puerto Rico means living under colonial conditions that shaped Bad Bunny's life.
- Events like PROMESA and fiscal austerity directly impacted families and inform his politics and art.
