Si Te Quieres Divertir; the Cultural Implications Behind Bad Bunny’s “NUEVAYoL”
- OCT. 31, 2025
- //
- WRITTEN BY NADIA KOHLES-GONZALEZ
Amidst severe political tensions in the United States, the NFL released its controversial choice for the headlining artist for Super Bowl LX. The nation had divided opinions on the League’s choice of Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, known under the stage name Bad Bunny, as the halftime performer. Influencers and politicians alike have been quick to voice their opinions on the subject. Right-wing political figures have questioned the artist’s ties to the United States, going so far as to doubt his citizenship, and suggest that a more “American” artist be selected in his place. A proud Puerto Rican, Bad Bunny, is and has always been an American citizen, and even then, the Super Bowl hasn’t been afraid to host international guests in the past; with Shakira headlining the most-watched halftime show in 2020, so where is all this backlash coming from? Escalating racial tensions in the United States are partially to blame, as well as Ocasio’s vocal criticisms of the Trump administration. During the 2024 election, Ocasio voiced public support for Kamala Harris’s political campaign on social media. Many Latino communities throughout the 50 states have been on high alert since Trump began his second term, due to the ever-looming threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the suspension of due process for those detained by unidentified masked officers. As a result, Bad Bunny refused to include the mainland United States on his most recent tour despite financial incentives, stating in an interview in September with i-D magazine, “There were many reasons I chose not to perform in the United States, and none of them were out of hate [...] but there was the issue of—like ICE could be outside [my concerts].” As Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem threatened that ICE agents would be “all over” the Super Bowl because of his selection as a performing artist, proving these fears to be grounded in reality.
Ocasio has never shied away from political discourse in the past. His sixth studio album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, released in early 2025, was written as a love letter to Puerto Rico, as well as a rallying cry for its independence movement. However, the album has become a cultural phenomenon outside the small island territory, resonating with international audiences. The album's opening song, “NUEVAYoL,” uniquely celebrates Latino contributions to the United States and has been lauded in part for its strong political imagery as well as its deep ties to historic and modern Latin music styles. The title of the song is reminiscent of dialectal pronunciations of “Nueva York,” the Spanish translation of “New York.” The track’s name choice places a focus on Latino immigrants to the major city’s various boroughs, where differences in ethnic background contribute to unique regional dialects.
The song follows a non-traditional musical format, typical throughout Bad Bunny’s discography, in which he creates a musical collage, abruptly switching between tempos and musical styles. Not one to reject the art of interpolation, “NUEVAYoL” begins with 20 seconds of El Gran Combo’s 1975 classic, “Un Verano en Nueva York,” setting expectations for a swinging salsa rhythm before switching the vibe to a bass-heavy beat typical of the reggaeton musical style. This choice seems appropriate for a song entirely focused on the musical history underlying the Boricua music scene. The theme is evident in the twice-repeated phrase, “¿Cómo Bad Bunny va a ser rey del pop?, ey, Con reguetón y dembow.” (“How will Bad Bunny become the king of pop? With Reggaeton and Dembow.”) Reggaeton is a musical genre that originated in the 1990s in Puerto Rico and was a unique blend of reggae and dancehall styles from Jamaica with hip-hop and rap in Spanish. Artists such as Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Tego Calderon brought the genre out of its native PR to broader, international audiences. Bad Bunny takes immense pride in both his heritage and genre of choice, stating in his song “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR,” “Esto es PR, mami, aquí nací yo, y el reguetón, pa que sepa.” (“This is PR, mami, where reggaeton and I were born, just so you know.”) Syncretism is the theme that connects each unique element of the track, creating a musical quilt celebrating the positive outcomes of diversity.
The music video for “NUEVAYoL”, strategically released on July 4, 2025, features heavy political and social commentary. Bad Bunny chooses to depict scenes nostalgic for many Latinos living in the United States; domino games, quinceañeras, and snapshots from family life are shown throughout, emphasizing the humanity of individuals in these communities. This serves to portray Latino-Americans as more than just a population demographic, but as a vibrant community of real people with rich histories and experiences. Midway through the film, Ocasio poses in the crown of the Statue of Liberty, a Puerto Rican flag draped proudly over her forehead, a reminder that Puerto Rico and its people are not only American, but have been key in shaping the nation and its culture since its inception. The following scene depicts four Puerto Rican men sitting at a table listening to the radio. Their music is interrupted by a broadcast, likely an imitation of current U.S. President Donald Trump, extending a personal apology to the Latino community. The men angrily shut off the broadcast before the imitator is finished speaking, and upon their departure, the song continues. It is unclear whether this is Ocasio implying that his community is not willing to accept an apology after all the harm that has been done—the fearmongering, the deportations, the calls to violence against migrants—or if the men cutting off the radio is symbolic of an acknowledgement that expecting an apology is unrealistic. Either way, this explicitly pointed imagery once again presents a direct challenge to the Trump administration as a whole. The video concludes with a black screen displaying white text stating, “Juntos Somos Más Fuertes” (“Together, We Are Stronger,”) a call for unity in a divided world.
Bad Bunny is bringing the art of protest back to pop music at a time when many other influential voices have chosen to remain silent. “NUEVAYoL” acts as a modern anthem for the American Latino, a song of resistance, an ode to unique and diverse cultural backgrounds, and a reminder that “Juntos Somos Más Fuertes.”
