Bad Bunny highlights Puerto Rican history and culture through music
- Emory University offers a course on Bad Bunny's music and politics this fall.
- Meléndez-Badillo collaborates with Bad Bunny to highlight Puerto Rican historical themes in his music.
- Bad Bunny aims to raise awareness of Puerto Rico's colonial reality through his work.
In 2025, Emory University in Atlanta launched a new course focusing on Bad Bunny, recognizing his significant impact on music and politics, which aligns with a broader trend among universities that teach courses on pop culture figures. This course includes weekly assignments involving readings, podcasts, and song analysis to provide insights into Bad Bunny's contributions and his role in discussing Puerto Rican identity. Moreover, Yale University also introduced a similar course, examining the intersection of artistic expression and political discourse through Bad Bunny's work. The collaboration between Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican historian Meléndez-Badillo reveals an intentional effort to infuse Puerto Rican history into his music, showcasing themes of colonialism and resistance. Meléndez-Badillo expressed how important it was for Bad Bunny to include various historical aspects, ranging from colonial governance to Afro-Caribbean rhythms' influence on reggaeton. This reveals how music serves not only as entertainment but also as a powerful medium for cultural education and political awareness. Bad Bunny's decision to engage deeply with Puerto Rican themes coincided with his global rise, drawing attention to the island's colonial reality through his lyrics and performances. His residency in Puerto Rico was a historic event that amplified Puerto Rican culture and history, bringing a sense of pride to many, especially within the younger generation coined the 'crisis generation.' This generation, familiar with ongoing crises, feels a connection to Bad Bunny's music, finding a reflection of their struggles and triumphs. As these academic courses flourish, they represent a larger appreciation of Bad Bunny's artistry and the complex cultural narratives he presents. His ability to spotlight critical historical issues while entertaining millions marks a new direction in the role of artists today, suggesting that the cultural landscape can be shaped significantly by those who choose to blend their art with important socio-political discussions.