New Books Network 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
In this engaging discussion, scholars Petra R. Rivera-Rideau and Vanessa Díaz delve into their book on Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican icon redefining musical and political landscapes. They explore how Bad Bunny's rise mirrors Puerto Rico's struggles with colonialism and resilience. The conversation highlights his significant contributions to reggaetón, cultural identity, and activism, showcasing moments like his involvement in protests and the impact of his bilingual music. The authors also share insights from their collaborative work on the 'Bad Bunny Syllabus' and its evolution into a broader cultural narrative.
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From SoundCloud To Global Star
- Bad Bunny's career began from SoundCloud and Latin trap, rising rapidly into global stardom.
- His trajectory shows streaming, genre shifts, and timing created a perfect breakout moment.
Colonial Fiscal Control Shapes Art
- Puerto Rico's debt crisis and PROMESA shaped Bad Bunny's life and politics.
- The Fiscal Oversight Board removed local fiscal control and intensified austerity affecting his community.
Streaming Transformed Genre Access
- Reggaeton and Latin trap evolved from stigmatized, working-class roots to mainstream via streaming.
- Bad Bunny leveraged Latin trap's rawness while making marketable songs, aided by playlists and streaming.
