For a Borricua music artist from the low-key city of Vega Baja (on outskirts of San Juan, Puerto Rico), this is no easy task to have amass many accomplishes in the past 5-6 years for Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio – stage name as “Bad Bunny.” The 29-year old musician started as a youngster to be musically-influenced by other Latin artists, including Hector Lavoe and Tego Calderon. And five albums later, earlier this year, he released his latest, Un Verano Sin Ti (Translation: A Summer Without You). In this album, he emphasized his musical talents of raggaeton and added elements of cumbia, mambo, merengue, among others.
For the past 5-6 years, Bad Bunny has accomplished many things. Some solely on singing in Spanish. First artist to reach the top of the Billboard 200. On Spotify, he is the most streamed Latino artist. And to top it off, he will become the first main Latino actor to star as a lead role in a Marvel comic film, El Muerto, to be released in 2024.
In completing his US tour stops on the “World’s Hottest Tour,” after his two shows in Los Angeles, his tour has already grossed over $200-plus million dollars. Among the top-five, the first Los Angeles show (being #3) and his second LA show (being #2). Fans are really paying attention to this artist from the very beginning. And we wanted to forsee this on his first LA show.
An expensive experience nevertheless. The vibes in the newest stadium in LA could not do justice for all the 70,000-plus fans who were trying to get to their seats, let alone to gather any food or beverages. And to add to it – the multiple flights of stairs to come down to the main floor. How imaginable that this can be a nightmare for any logistics or security personnel to handle. At least not a single fan tried to go on-stage during the first LA show.
For night one in LA, he brought out many surprise guests. He brought out Ivy Queen, a prominent raggaeton artist in Puerto Rico, as she sang medleys from several of her known hits. A side on Ivy Queen – she was prominently known in the music industry as the first female solo artist to have mainstream sucess in the genre. And during “Safaera,” guest musicians, Jowell & Randy were brought out to highten the song along with the crowds. And towards the end of his three-hour long set, the crowds were giving all their energy as other songs, “El Apagon” and “Despues De La Playa,” were played. The crowds were not quiet as the show ended and as they were leaving out of the venue.
For audiences that can fully understand his lyrics and meanings – Bad Bunny is a must listen. Besides the explicitly lyrical meanings of past songs from Bad Bunny, the newest album should be attuned to a wider audience. For anyone who enjoys the musical tunes of Bad Bunny, they will also enjoy his latest album too. It’s very obvious that a new generation of raggaeton, no matter the country or origin, will be a constant for years to come.
Setlist: Moscow Mule // Me Porto Bonito // Un Ratito // Efecto // Party // Tarot // La corriente // Neverita // Estamos Bien // I Like It (Cardi B cover) // Si Veo a Tu Mama // Ni Bien Ni Mal // 200 MPH // La Romana // La Dificil // Bichiyal // La Santa // Vete // Yo Perreo Sola // Safaera // Titi Me Pregunto // DAKITI (Bad Bunny / Jhay Cortez cover) // Yo No Soy Celoso // Yonaguni // Callaita // Dos Mil 16 // Diles // No Te Hagas // Vuelve (Daddy Yankee / Bad Bunny cover) // Chambea // Soy Peor // Un Verano Sin Ti // Un Coco // La Cancion (J Balvin / Bad Bunny cover) // Me Fui de Vacaciones // Ojitos Lindos // El Apagon // Despues de la Playa
Photo Credit: Live Nation Latino