It's been seven years since Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, and Bad Bunny is taking this moment to reflect on the aftermath of the deadly Category 5 storm.
In “Una Velita,” released Thursday (September 19), the Puerto Rican producer is brutally honest about how the island's infrastructure, particularly the constant power outages due to a weakened power grid, have yet to recover from the devastating hurricane that caused in thousands of deaths. “There were five thousand left to die, and we'll never forget that,” Bad Bunny sings on the powerful song.
The track not only comes after the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Maria, but also during the election season, about which he has been vocal, using his social media platforms to encourage his millions of followers to make sure they are registered to vote.
“Obviously the light will go out, God knows if it'll come back,” he continues to sing in Spanish over a haunting folk beat that builds in intensity, matching the song's urgency. “The bridge they were slow to build, the rising river will break. Some songs on the phone for when the reception dies down. The sign was sent and they don't want to see it, it's up to the Boricua to want to wake up… Remember we're all from here, people should save their pueblo.”
This isn't the first time Bad Bunny has used his music to shine a light on issues that are important to him and the Puerto Rican community. 2022 released an almost 23 minute documentary for the blunt track “El Apagón” from his blockbuster Un Verano Sin Ti, in which the lead artist addresses blackouts and gentrification, among other issues, targeting local government for its inaction on these social issues.
Listen to Bad Bunny's heartwarming 'Una Velita' below:
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/bad-bunny-una-velita-puerto-rico-political-climate-hurricane-maria-1235780425/
