LA MuDANZA

Bad Bunny's song 'LA MuDANZA' is a celebration of the artist's roots and cultural identity. The lyrics begin with a personal narrative, where Benito, Bad Bunny's alter ego, reflects on his humble origins and the hard work of his family. He mentions his father and grandfather, who worked as truck drivers, and how he himself started working at a young age. This introduction establishes a strong sense of heritage and family tradition, highlighting the importance of work and perseverance.

The song also addresses Benito's (father) encounter with Lysi, who becomes his life partne, rnarrative that seems to make a direct reference to his parents's story. This part of the lyrics emphasizes the importance of personal connections and love, showing how these relationships shape a person's life. The narrative of how they married and formed a family is a testament to commitment and the realization of personal dreams, even in the face of challenges. There is also a sense of self-praise, as the lyrical subject affirms that his parents did a great job when conceiving him.

Bad Bunny's pride in his homeland is one of the central messages of the song. He mentions the historical struggle for the identity and freedom of the Puerto Rican people, symbolized by the flag he carries with pride. The song thus becomes a declaration of love for his culture and an acknowledgment of the hardships faced by his people. Bad Bunny reaffirms his identity and roots, highlighting that, despite his global success, he remains faithful to his origins and values. This cultural pride is particularly relevant, as the island of Puerto Rico faces a series of economic and social challenges.

In the music's visualizer video, posted on Bad Bunny's official YouTube channel, a text written by historian Jorell Meléndez-Badillo mentions how the Puerto Rican government has always relied on foreign funds to sustain its economy. This economic model led to the creation of incentives and tax exemptions that made the island attractive to foreign investments, but it also turned Puerto Rico into a 'tax haven.' However, this dependency resulted in large debts, considered unpayable, and a series of structural problems, such as the fiscal crisis, the damages caused by Hurricane María, the closure of public schools, and the constant power outages due to failures in the electrical system. Despite these difficulties, the government continued investing in external capital, neglecting the internal needs of the population.

This socio-economic context is essential to understanding the depth of Bad Bunny's message. By celebrating his roots and culture, he also denounces the adversities faced by his people, who suffer from the consequences of flawed economic policies and the exploitation of the island's resources for the benefit of external interests. Bad Bunny's loyalty to his homeland is further highlighted when he mentions the flag 'En la caja, la bandera azul clarito,' a reference to Puerto Rico's flag, which is debated due to its color, which may have annexationist or separatist connotations. While the official flag is navy blue to align with that of the United States, the original version has a light blue triangle (or 'azul clarito,' as Bad Bunny describes it), symbolizing the struggle for Puerto Rico's identity and freedom.

Thus, 'LA MuDANZA' becomes not only a celebration of Puerto Rican culture but also a critique of the political and economic conditions affecting the island, reaffirming Bad Bunny's commitment to his roots and the ongoing struggle of the Puerto Rican people for justice and autonomy.