Front Burner Can the Bad Bunny effect save Puerto Rico?
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Aug 8, 2025 Petra Rivera-Rideau, an Associate Professor of American Studies at Wellesley College and author of Remixing Reggaeton, discusses the powerful impact of Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico. She highlights how his music connects young Puerto Ricans to their heritage while addressing critical social issues. The conversation delves into the role of music as a cultural bridge, the longing for identity among the diaspora, and how Bad Bunny champions social justice. His contributions are shaping conversations around resilience, tourism, and the political landscape on the island.
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Bad Bunny Bridges Generations With Music
- Bad Bunny blends traditional Puerto Rican sounds with reggaeton, sparking intergenerational conversations in families.
- Petra Rivera-Rideau's family connected over the song "Pitorro de Coco," which revived interest in traditional music.
Colonial Legacy Fuels Puerto Rico Crisis
- Puerto Rico's colonial history under the U.S. has caused ongoing economic extraction and labor migration.
- Debt crisis, austerity, and policies like the Jones Act deepen social struggles and increase emigration.
Prioritizing Locals in Residency Tickets
- Reserving tickets to Bad Bunny's residency for Puerto Rican residents first shows his deep commitment to the island.
- It reinforces cultural pride and local access before opening to global tourists.
