Bad Bunny releases “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” album
In the past few years, Latinx artists have garnered significant acclaim, making notable appearances on TV shows, live broadcasts, and achieving sold-out status on global tours. The spotlight has particularly shone on Puerto Rican artists, who were previously overlooked. Several musicians from Puerto Rico have carved their paths into the music hall of fame. Notably, when discussing Puerto Rico's impact, it has become almost anticipated to hear the name "Bad Bunny" mentioned at least once.
Bad Bunny, also known as Benito, stands out as the face of modern Puerto Rican music for several distinctive reasons. His ascent to fame was gradual and methodical, initially emerging as a SoundCloud rapper and reggaetonero. Despite conforming to the typical traits of a SoundCloud "trapper" with deep kick drums, gritty sub-bases, and monotone lyrics that didn't necessarily emphasize vocal prowess, Bad Bunny's unique Puerto Rican influence and distinctive flow set him apart from his peers.
As his career progressed, Bad Bunny ventured into beat experimentation and collaborated with another talented Puerto Rican musician, Tainy. The release of hit singles like "Yo perreo sola" and "Safaera" marked a turning point for Benito. He achieved record-breaking success with "Un Verano Sin Ti," a 23-song album featuring some of the most noteworthy collaborations in the genre. What set this album apart was Bad Bunny's bold stance on advocating for women's rights and queer rights, a rarity in a genre known for its historical tendency to oversexualize and objectify women, glorify drug use, gang violence, and materialism.
"Un Verano Sin Ti" left an indelible impact on Puerto Ricans, transcending genre preferences and challenging the perception of reggaetón. The album demonstrated the potential for change within the traditionally misogynistic culture of reggaetón, showcasing room for exploration, innovation, and meaningful expression within the male-dominated genre. Together with other queer Puerto Rican artists like Villano Antillano and Young Miko, both femme reggaetoneras, Bad Bunny contributed to the creation of one of the most successful and transformative albums in the global music scene.
Bad Bunny, known for his acclaimed album "Un Verano Sin Ti," surprised fans with the release of his full-length LP, "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana," on Friday the 13th. Anticipation was high, given the success of his previous work, and the artist himself hosted listening parties to share the excitement with his fans. However, the reception was mixed, with some fans leaving the listening sessions early and others applauding the artist.
On the day of its release, the LP garnered over 300k listens on Spotify, breaking records for the most listened-to LP on the platform and entering the top 200 on Billboard. However, just three days later, the number of listens dropped significantly to around 40k, reflecting the diverse reactions from fans.
Upon delving into public opinion, it became clear that the reaction was tied to the album's content. The opening track, "Nadie Sabe," stretched over seven minutes and featured a full-range orchestra and choir. While addressing significant topics like parasocial relationships, cancel culture, and his Puerto Rican heritage, the impact of the message was somewhat overshadowed by what some perceived as Bad Bunny's obnoxious gloating, a departure from his previous works. Unfortunately, the rest of the album did not maintain the same level of substance, leaving fans with mixed feelings about the overall direction of "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana."
It's noteworthy that one segment of Bad Bunny's fanbase has come to the defense of his latest album, arguing that reggaetón is primarily meant to be danceable and focused on themes of sex, money, and indulging in worldly pleasures. According to this perspective, the essence of reggaetón lies in being party music without the expectation of deep poetic content. While this viewpoint is valid, it raises the question of whether Bad Bunny's success has been built on the very uniqueness and departure from the norm that characterized his previous work, particularly with "Un Verano Sin Ti." This album marked a shift away from the traditional tough-guy narrative of reggaetón, introducing a more nuanced and socially conscious approach.
Bad Bunny himself stated that "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana" was intended to reflect his early days of focusing on trap beats, catering to his "real fans that were there since the beginning." However, some critics argue that the album lacks musical variety and echoes his earlier SoundCloud trap songs. While there are instances, like the introduction of string instruments in the second LP's song "Monaco," the beats later follow a stereotypical trap pattern.
This sentiment extends to specific tracks, such as "Fina" featuring Young Miko, a highly anticipated song that ended up being one of the least popular by the end of the LP's release week. Young Miko's contribution, encouraging women to embrace sexual liberation, is praised. However, the song takes a turn as Bad Bunny delves into explicit details about his own anatomy, potentially crossing the line into oversharing. It seems Bad Bunny's usual approach of unfiltered and explicit content may not have resonated as effectively with the audience in this particular instance.
The album continues with tracks like "Baticano" and "Seda," featuring catchy beats but marred by explicit lyrics that some listeners find almost unbearable. While Bad Bunny has a history of incorporating sexually explicit content into his music, critics argue that, in this instance, he may have gone overboard. The album appears to dwell on themes of commitment issues and a focus on women solely for sexual encounters, raising concerns about the contradiction with his purported stance on female empowerment. Writing about heartbreak after a series of songs that treat women dismissively seems to perpetuate the classic normalization of mistreating women due to men's issues, undermining the message of empowerment.
Public opinion highlights tracks like "Monaco," "Un Preview," "Where She Goes," and "Perro Negro" as the most popular songs on the LP. "Un Preview" stands out for bringing back the classic reggaetón beat, offering a refreshing contrast to the rest of the album. The title and Bad Bunny's opening statement, "Here’s a preview of what’s coming next," hint at the possibility that his next album might predominantly feature reggaetón.
For those curious to form their own opinions, "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana" is available on all streaming platforms. However, if you're seeking an absolute certified bop, the recommendation is to check out "Un Verano Sin Ti," also available on all streaming platforms. Encouraging listeners to compare the two albums allows for a subjective evaluation and the formation of individual opinions.
I would give this album 3 out of 4 stars.