Bad Bunny’s latest album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,” released on October 13, 2023, has been met with both fervent praise and controversy. While some fans claim that the album includes veiled references to past incidents, it’s the track “Thunder y Lightning” that has raised eyebrows due to its seemingly critical lyrics directed at Colombian singer J Balvin. In this article, we will explore the controversy surrounding the lyrics, J Balvin’s response, and the potential reasons behind Bad Bunny’s alleged shade.
The Controversial Lyrics
The source of this lyrical feud can be traced to the song “Thunder y Lightning,” a collaboration between Bad Bunny and Eladio Carrion. The lyrics in question are as follows: “You guys have seen me with the same people while you all are friends with the whole world like Balvin.” This line appears to suggest that while Bad Bunny sticks to a close-knit group, J Balvin is more inclined to befriend a multitude of individuals.
J Balvin’s Response
J Balvin, known for his commercial approach to music, responded to the lyrics in an Instagram Live video. Although the video is no longer available, it did go viral while it was live. Balvin expressed confusion regarding the song’s lyrics and acknowledged Bad Bunny as an excellent artist. He emphasized that the person he knows is a “great person” and stated that the two have mutually supported each other, creating history and a new story within music.
The Music and Artistic Approach
To understand the potential reasons behind Bad Bunny’s lyrics, it’s crucial to consider the contrasting approaches of the two artists. J Balvin is recognized for his commercially oriented, public-pleasing style in music and art. This approach often prioritizes mass appeal and accessibility, which Bad Bunny seems to be critiquing through the lyrics in his new song.
Balvin’s Latin Grammys Boycott
One of the reasons behind the alleged shade might be J Balvin’s call for a boycott of the Latin Grammys on Twitter. He claimed that there was a lack of urban representation in the awards. This tweet, however, has since been deleted. Notably, Bad Bunny’s close friend and fellow Puerto Rican rapper Residente also criticized Balvin’s stance. In a now-deleted video, Residente made a memorable analogy, comparing Balvin’s music to a “hotdog cart” that is offended because it didn’t earn a Michelin star. He further criticized Balvin for encouraging urban artists to boycott the awards while not acknowledging the contributions of artists like Ruben Blades.
Racism and Gender Bias in Music Videos
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Another aspect of this controversy revolves around J Balvin’s past music video for his 2021 single, “Perra.” The video featured BIPOC individuals, including Dominican rapper Tokishca, depicted as animals, specifically dogs, who were fed in bowls and kept on leashes. This video faced significant backlash and was eventually taken down.
In contrast, Bad Bunny has been vocal about gender bias and has shown solidarity with social justice movements. He dedicated his Top Win at the 2020 Billboard Awards to women and spoke out in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement following George Floyd’s murder. In an exclusive statement to Time Magazine, he expressed his sorrow over such incidents and highlighted the importance of seeing people as equals regardless of race, religion, or surname.
The Discrepancy in Socio-Political Activism
While Bad Bunny and J Balvin have collaborated in the past, Balvin’s recent actions appear to be at odds with Bad Bunny’s socio-political activism, both in his music and outside of it. Bad Bunny’s commitment to social justice and his clear stance against racism and discrimination may be a significant factor behind the apparent shade thrown at Balvin in his new album.
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Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s lyrics in “Thunder y Lightning” and the alleged shade aimed at J Balvin is multi-faceted. It appears to be rooted in the differing approaches to music and art of the two artists, as well as Balvin’s call for a Latin Grammys boycott and his controversial music video. Additionally, the discrepancy in their socio-political activism may contribute to the tension between them. While J Balvin has responded to the lyrics, Bad Bunny has remained silent on the issue. As fans and music enthusiasts continue to speculate, it remains to be seen whether Bad Bunny will clarify his intentions behind these controversial lyrics and the possible critique of his fellow artist.
