Political stances, vibrant sounds and lots of color are what Bad Bunny’s sixth solo studio album “DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS” or “DtMF” is filled with.
The fusion of traditional instruments and old samples, paired with powerful lyrics creates the perfect mix of nostalgia and modernity.
The short film
Two days before the Jan. 5 album release, a short film was released on Bad Bunny’s YouTube account. The script was written and directed by Benito A. Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny) and Arí Maniel Cruz Suárez.
The main character is portrayed by Jacobo Morales, a household name in Puerto Rican films. Morales was also a part of “Los Rayos Gamma,” a comedy group that was established in the 1960s that was known for their political satire; a common theme in “DtMF.”
The short film expressed the importance of taking pictures in the moment, and how Morales’ character wishes he would’ve done so more during his younger years. The film also covers issues on the gentrification of Puerto Rico and how that is affecting the traditions and culture of the island.
I enjoyed watching the short film before the album because it gave a sneak peek on what to expect.
Plus, I think the issues were portrayed in a very powerful way with subtleties, such as Morales not being able to pay with cash at a restaurant where he knew the original owner, and crossing paths with tourists during his walk.
Overview of the album
The first song of the album, “NUEVAYol,” starts with cheerful trumpet sounds, using a sample by “El gran combo de Puerto Rico.” Once the lyricist comes onto the song, the beat changes, adding Bad Bunny’s typical trap sound to the traditional salsa. I thought this was an interesting combo but worked surprisingly well, and was the perfect first song to set the tone for the rest of the album.
One of my favorite songs is the third track, “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.” The six-minute song takes listeners through heartbreak and missing a past fling. Yet, what pulled the song together was the live band that was recorded in the studio. The mix of the instruments and chorus of the band really made it a hip-swaying song.
“LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” is the fourteenth track and directly speaks on Puerto Rico, and how the gentrification of the island is causing families to lose their generational homes. He says that he doesn’t want the same thing to happen to the island like “it did to Hawaii,” referencing the price hikes in homes causing locals to move.
The second-to-last song on the album is titled “DtMF,” and feels very nostalgic. Throughout the song, Bad Bunny reminisces on past nights with friends in Puerto Rico. His hook talks about the old times, stating “I should’ve taken more pictures when I had you.” A hook that took social media by storm, connecting listeners to missing loved ones who have passed away, or those who simply looked back on what they did the past year. This song also connects to the short film and the theme of taking pictures, because that is what will remind you of the moment in more detail.
The rest of the album has amazing tracks that continue to tell amazing stories such as “LA MuDANZA” while others stick to his typical dance beat music like “EoO.”
The bigger picture
This album is a great listen simply for the moving sounds, but I think it’s a far more important piece because of the themes and issues that are being brought up throughout it.
Music is one of the oldest forms of art. Art has always been a way to evoke emotion and take stances while also spreading awareness on topics.
Morales used his comedy as a way to take political stances and now Bad Bunny is doing the same through music, making Morales’ appearance throughout the campaign of the project even more important.
I think this album was released during the perfect time, and I hope that other artists will use their artistic outlets to create calls to action as well.
