The Journal. The Bad Bunny Economy in Puerto Rico
193 snips
Sep 12, 2025 Bad Bunny's decision to hold 30 concerts in his hometown of San Juan is a game changer, injecting nearly $200 million into Puerto Rico's economy. The podcast highlights the 'Beyoncé effect,' showcasing how local concerts significantly boost spending and tourism. Bad Bunny's journey from humble beginnings to global stardom is explored, alongside his commitment to cultural representation. Listeners also experience the cultural brilliance of a Bad Bunny concert, reinforcing local identity while supporting the island's businesses during tough economic times.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Residency Delivered A Major Local Boost
- Bad Bunny held a 30-show residency in San Juan that funneled roughly $200 million into Puerto Rico's slow-season economy.
- Elias Leight emphasizes this as a novel use of cultural influence to generate measurable local economic impact.
Global Superstar Without English Hits
- Bad Bunny was the top streamed artist on Spotify from 2020–2022 and had the world's highest-grossing tour in 2022.
- Elias Leight uses these facts to illustrate how globally dominant and market-moving he is.
From Grocery Store To Global Stage
- Bad Bunny grew up in San Juan and worked in a grocery store while trying to break into music.
- Elias Leight recalls meeting him early in his career when he played 3,000-capacity venues.