Bad Bunny - DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny returns with a new album, and alongside that, he returns to his roots.
The reigning king of reggaeton and arguably the main voice of Latin music presents DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, a record that, on the surface, feels like it’s about his personal life—recent heartbreak, the people around him, and how he copes with emotions. At first glance, it seems to be a reflection on his past, his memories, and what they mean to him as he moves forward. But in reality, this is only a small part of the album.
Yes, we see the familiar Bad Bunny here—the one who knows how to create fantastic, club-ready hits—and he doesn’t forget about that. But this album is something else entirely. It’s an honest, deeply emotional letter to his homeland, Puerto Rico. The title, I Should Have Taken More Photos, isn’t just about missed moments with an ex or personal regrets—it’s also about wishing he had captured more of his home, its beauty, and its essence, because everything in life changes.
The title track, 'DtMF' (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), perfectly captures the reflective and nostalgic tone of the record. The song has already sparked a rare, non-irritating TikTok trend, with users sharing photos and videos of their memories set to its lyrics. Benito’s ability to transform a simple yet universal sentiment into something that resonates with people is a great example of his connection to his audience.
Thematically, the album presents us with a "double breakup." On one hand, it’s a breakup with love, and on the other, it’s a breakup with his country. With this album, Bad Bunny dives into questions of his own authenticity and the identity of his homeland. He doesn’t position himself as a great patriot or preach to anyone. Instead, he simply tells us that he’s Puerto Rican, he’s proud of it, and he wants his country to thrive, to prosper, and to retain its identity without losing itself to globalism or becoming just another cog in a larger machine.
To reflect this, Benito returns to his native genres: reggaeton, Latin pop, and the electronic and synth-pop influences we know him for. But this time, he skillfully incorporates Puerto Rican folk music—plena and bomba—alongside salsa. It feels raw and authentic. One of the best examples of the album's thematic usage is the track 'TURiSTA,' a song about the rising wave of tourism that’s slowly destroying Puerto Rico. It reminds us of real issues like overdevelopment, the erasure of local cultural landmarks, and the destruction of protected natural areas to build hotels or other projects meant to profit outsiders from the mainland U.S. What’s admirable is that you genuinely believe he’s troubled by these changes, not just trying to score points with his compatriots.
Another standout is “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” where Benito fears Puerto Rico will follow the path of Hawaii—losing its identity and becoming a state, stripped of its uniqueness. His concerns don’t come across as a political agenda but as the sincere thoughts of someone who loves his homeland and wants to see it flourish.
At the same time, the album doesn’t abandon the energy and charisma that made Bad Bunny who he is. Among the 17 tracks, you’re bound to find a new favorite dance anthem (though I personally think trimming it down to 13 or 14 tracks would have made it perfect, but here we are).
This record feels like a culmination for Bad Bunny—a deeply personal and powerful manifesto that wraps up his incredibly active 2024. Beyond the music, Benito has been politically outspoken, not just about the United States but also within Puerto Rico itself. His influence even helped push an independent candidate in Puerto Rico’s elections to a second-place finish—someone advocating for the island’s independence.
Benito has become an unbreakable flag-bearer for Puerto Rico, arguably the most successful cultural export the island has had in years. And he’s using his platform to remind us all that to be happy, we need to be proud, strong, and free—and not lose ourselves in the games of globalism.
It’s an album about being unafraid to stand up for what you believe in—whether that’s your love, your home, or your values. With DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny shows that he is at his best when he is doing it by his own book, not someone else’s.
8.8/10
