Midway Staff

“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (“I should have taken more photos”), is a Spanish album by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny released on Jan. 5. The album features 17 tracks, including hits such as “DtMF” and “NUEVAYoL,” all of which cement Bad Bunny’s ability to create yet another stand out and versatile album.

The first Spanish-language artist to ever become Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally, with over 8.3 billion total streams. The fastest male artist to create a project amassing 1 billion streams. A three-time Grammy Award winner in 2021, 2022 and 2023. These are just a few of the accomplishments of Puerto Rican rapper Benito Martínez Ocasio, better known by his stage name, Bad Bunny. 

On Jan. 5, the eve of Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day), one of the most important holidays in Latin America, Bad Bunny released his sixth studio album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” ( “I should have taken more photos”). The entirely Spanish album features 17 tracks, including hits such as “DtMF” and “NUEVAYoL,” proving Bad Bunny’s ability to create yet another stand out and versatile album.

Although I’m not a native Spanish speaker, U-High Spanish teacher Suzanne Baum recommended that my Spanish class listen to this album as a way to incorporate Spanish into our everyday lives. I’m so glad she did, as I have not only learned new phrases but found myself enjoying several tracks, some of which have made it onto my main playlist. While I can’t understand every word, the memorable rhythms combined with Bad Bunny’s smoothly delivered verses make this album accessible and entertaining, even for non-Spanish speakers. 

A standout track is “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR.” The beat is irresistibly catchy and perfectly captures the vibrant spirit of Puerto Rican culture. Mr. Ocasio passionately raps about his homeland, saying: “Vo’a llevarte pa’ PR, mami/ Tráete a tu amiga si te gusta la idea/ dile que esta noche vamo’ a janguear,” or “I’m gonna take you to PR, baby/ Bring your friend if you like the idea, tell her tonight we’re going out/ We’re gonna have a great time.”

Several of the tracks feature upbeat tempos, though some are catchier than others. The first track, “Nueva Yol” also has a fun and electrifying beat. This song opens with a sample from “Un Verano en Nueva York” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and Andy Montañez, a Puerto Rican salsa hit from the ’70s, before seamlessly transitioning into Bad Bunny’s rapping. The transition is neither jerky nor abrupt. Instead, the sound eases into a more urban but still upbeat style. On the other hand, “EL CLúB” attempts to blend genres as well but feels slightly more forced. The electronic notes appear discordant at times, and the track overall doesn’t deliver the energy its title suggests until over a minute in only to drop off again near the two-minute mark.  

A less-popular but equally beautiful track is “LO QUE PASO A HAWAii,” one of the few songs on the album that doesn’t feature rapping and my favorite overall. Its reflective lyrics are backed by soft guitar and rhythm from a güiro, a traditional Puerto Rican instrument used in folk music. The lyrics are very powerful, as Mr. Ocasio likens the displacement of Hawaiians to the colonization of Puerto Rico and worries about Puerto Rico losing its native culture. He sings, “Quieren el barrio mío y que tus hijos se vayan/ No, no suelte’ la bandera ni olvide’ el lelolai” — “They want to take my river and also my beach/ They want my neighborhood and for your children to leave/ Don’t let go of the flag or forget the lelolai.” 

The album is essentially a love letter to Puerto Rico, a fusion of rap, salsa, reggaeton and house. It tells a powerful story while also getting listeners up on the dance floor.