Bad Bunny: The DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS Interview | Apple Music

Interview with Bad Bunny: Insights into His Music and Creative Process

Introduction to the Interview

• The interview begins with a light-hearted exchange about coffee, setting a relaxed tone.

• The interviewer mentions traveling to Puerto Rico to meet Bad Bunny, highlighting the anticipation of discussing his new album, which was not yet finished at that time.

Exploring Bad Bunny's Music

• Bad Bunny introduces his first song, revealing it samples an iconic salsa track from the 70s by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

• He expresses excitement about flipping this famous song, emphasizing its significance in New York during summer.

Musical Style and Connection

• Bad Bunny describes his music as rooted in basic reggaeton sounds, contrasting it with more complex styles that some artists pursue.

• He shares that he feels increasingly connected to his artistry and is continuously improving as an artist.

Emotional Impact of Creation

• Reflecting on one of his favorite songs, he describes the emotional experience of creating music and how it ranks among his best moments.

• He reveals that this particular song had been in his mind for two years before its realization.

Collaboration with Young Musicians

• The creative process involved collaboration with young musicians from Puerto Rico, who brought passion and energy to the project.

• He emphasizes the heartfelt contributions from these musicians, noting their dedication and emotional investment in the music.

Deeper Connections Through Experience

• Bad Bunny discusses feeling a deeper connection to his work now compared to earlier stages in his career.

• He reflects on how distance can provide clarity and appreciation for one's roots and culture after experiencing life outside Puerto Rico.

Understanding Identity Through Culture

• Sharing experiences with people from various cultures has deepened his understanding of identity and representation.

• He notes that discussing Puerto Rican culture with diverse audiences has led him to appreciate aspects of himself he hadn't considered before.

Purpose Beyond Success

• Bad Bunny contemplates what success means now compared to earlier years when accolades were paramount.

• He stresses that while being recognized as a top artist is significant, conveying meaningful messages through music holds greater importance for him now.

What Comes Next for Artists?

The Pressure of Success

• Many artists feel overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly break records and achieve greater success, often leading to a sense of anxiety about their next steps.

• The speaker reflects on how achieving success can lead to being pursued by others, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from returning home where people genuinely care about your happiness.

Personal Reflection and Growth

• The artist expresses a desire for a different kind of pursuit—one focused on personal enjoyment and authenticity in music creation.

• There is an emphasis on sharing deeper aspects of oneself through music, aiming to connect with listeners on a more profound level.

Milestones and Life Changes

• Turning 30 has prompted the artist to reflect on life experiences, including past feelings of depression at age 20 when he felt unfulfilled as a student working in a grocery store.

• He discusses the societal pressures that come with aging, such as expectations around marriage and family, which can lead to self-doubt.

Career Reflections

• As he approaches ten years in the industry, the artist feels both experienced yet like a rookie, indicating ongoing growth and evolution in his career.

• He highlights creating an album that resonates deeply with him as liberating; it allowed him to discover his true sound and artistic identity.

Creative Environment

• The importance of recording location is discussed; most songs were recorded in Puerto Rico, reflecting cultural roots.

• A brief stint recording in New York was also mentioned but emphasized that maintaining ties to Puerto Rican culture was essential during the creative process.

Connection with Fans

• The artist shares his experience attending events alone and feeling liberated by engaging with fans without barriers.

• He values human connection over celebrity status, expressing gratitude for fans who treat him like any other person rather than just an artist.

Privacy in the Modern Age

The Erosion of Privacy

• The speaker discusses the lack of privacy in contemporary society, noting that even mundane activities are often recorded and shared publicly.

• They express a desire to remain grounded despite their fame, contrasting with other artists who relocate for privacy.

Personal Aspirations and Roots

• The speaker reflects on childhood memories, particularly a trip to the USA that initially caused them distress due to leaving Puerto Rico.

• They share feelings of attachment to their home country, emphasizing a longing to stay connected to their roots.

Influence of Upbringing

Childhood Experiences

• The speaker describes having a happy childhood with supportive parents, highlighting both strictness regarding education and humor in family life.

• They credit their upbringing for instilling ambition and punctuality, influenced by their mother's insistence on being early.

Values Instilled by Family

• Their father's generosity towards others shaped the speaker's own philanthropic tendencies from an early age.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Early Philanthropic Efforts

• The speaker emphasizes starting philanthropic efforts before achieving widespread recognition, indicating a priority on community support.

Challenges in Social Change

• They reflect on the complexities of trying to enact positive change within communities while facing systemic challenges.

Cultural Identity and Heritage

Pride in Puerto Rican Identity

• The speaker expresses pride in Puerto Rican culture and resilience amidst external perceptions as an unincorporated territory of the U.S.

Generational Influence

• They acknowledge past figures who inspire current generations to continue fighting for cultural identity and rights.

Family Connections Through Music

Storytelling through Art

• A song is mentioned that narrates how the speaker's parents met, showcasing personal storytelling through music.

Reconnecting with Family History

• The importance of engaging with family stories is highlighted as a way to deepen connections and understand heritage better.

Exploring Family Stories and Artistic Collaborations

The Importance of Family Conversations

• The speaker reflects on learning from family members, emphasizing the natural flow of conversations that reveal emotional connections and valuable stories.

• They express surprise at discovering inspiring stories about their grandparents, highlighting the significance of capturing moments through photography to preserve history.

Collaborating with New Artists

• The speaker discusses working with a unique group from Puerto Rico, noting their refreshing sound that blends Caribbean instruments with modern influences.

• They emphasize the importance of collaboration, feeling more connected and comfortable working with emerging artists rather than established superstars.

Overcoming Shyness in Public Life

• The speaker shares personal challenges in making friends due to shyness, which has been a lifelong struggle.

• They describe how presenting themselves publicly while masked was a way to cope with their shyness but ultimately drew more attention.

A Transformative Concert Experience

• A memorable concert experience is recounted where the speaker felt liberated after performing without a mask, marking it as one of the best days of their life.

• This night symbolized a newfound sense of freedom from fame and success, allowing them to connect deeply with the audience.

Full Circle Moments in Life

• The speaker recounts selling concert tickets years ago and later attending that same concert with new friends made from that experience, illustrating life's cyclical nature.

• They reflect on how past experiences shape current realities, suggesting that life eventually aligns one's desires with achievements.

Bad Bunny's Global Tour Plans

Current Touring Status

• Bad Bunny discusses his limited touring outside the Americas, acknowledging that quarantine has impacted his ability to travel.

• He expresses a strong desire to tour globally, particularly in Spain, indicating that fans are eager for his return with new music.

Future Tour Aspirations

• Although plans are being made for international tours, he confirms it won't happen this year.

• Bad Bunny believes that his upcoming album could be his biggest yet and is excited about performing it on larger stages worldwide.

Artistic Growth and Musical Exploration

Personal Development as an Artist

• He emphasizes personal growth through music, stating that he aims to surpass his previous work while enjoying the creative process.

• Bad Bunny notes a shift in his vocal style towards a more melodic approach, enhancing his rhythmic performances.

New Musical Directions

• He mentions experimenting with different melodies and rhythms in three new songs from the album.

• A specific song titled "B" stands out for him as a breakthrough moment where he felt he unlocked new potential as a performer.

Cultural Resonance and Emotional Impact

Connection to Puerto Rican Identity

• The timing of the album release resonates deeply with Bad Bunny's identity as a Puerto Rican artist amidst current events affecting the island.

• He reflects on how creating this body of work serves as a response to negative press surrounding Puerto Rico, aiming to convey love and pride through music.

Purpose of Music Creation

• His goal is to bring joy and happiness through music regardless of external circumstances, hoping listeners find solace in it during tough times.

• Bad Bunny desires for families to connect over his music, encouraging conversations across generations about shared cultural experiences.

Intergenerational Connections Through Music

Bridging Generations

• He hopes that listeners will recognize samples from older songs within his work, prompting discussions between younger audiences and their relatives about musical heritage.