Alt.Latino: It's a Bad Bunny summer in Puerto Rico: Ana recaps 2 of his shows

Summary

All Songs Considered: Alt.Latino Special - A Bad Bunny Summer in Puerto Rico

Host: Felix Contreras
Co-Host: Ana Maria Sayer
Episode Release Date: July 30, 2025

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Introduction

In this vibrant episode of All Songs Considered, NPR's flagship music discovery program, co-hosts Felix Contreras and Ana Maria Sayer delve deep into the electrifying summer residency of global superstar Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico. Titled "Alt.Latino: It's a Bad Bunny Summer in Puerto Rico: Ana Recaps 2 of His Shows," the episode offers a rich tapestry of experiences, cultural insights, and profound reflections on Puerto Rican identity and the broader impact on Latin America.

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Ana’s Concert Experience

[00:25] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana Maria Sayer joins from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she attended two of Bad Bunny's highly anticipated concerts. As she recounts her experiences, Ana emphasizes the surreal and joyous atmosphere that permeated the island during these performances.

[00:38] Felix Contreras:
Ana’s enthusiasm is palpable as she describes Bad Bunny's concerts as “the party of the summer” and “the party of the century” (00:52).

[01:06] Ana Maria Sayer:
Invited as press to exclusive shows designated for Puerto Ricans, Ana highlights the unique energy and cultural resonance of performances by an artist who embodies the island's spirit. She introduces a special rendition of Bad Bunny's hit "Callita," reimagined with a big band salsa arrangement (02:37).

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Cultural Significance of Bad Bunny's Residency

Representation of Puerto Rican Music Genres

[02:42] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana marvels at how Bad Bunny seamlessly blends diverse Puerto Rican music genres like salsa, plena, and reggaeton into his performances. This fusion not only entertains but also serves as a homage to the island’s rich musical heritage. She states, “It was turning on its head everyone’s perception of what Bad Bunny is, of what the island is” (02:42).

[07:01] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana underscores that the shows go beyond mere performances, acting as a “guide to Puerto Rico in general and its history.” The inclusion of traditional rhythms alongside contemporary sounds creates a powerful cultural statement (07:01).

Impact on Puerto Rican Identity and Pride

[08:05] Felix Contreras:
Felix draws attention to the contrast between the limited celebration of Puerto Rican identity in schools and the expansive, immersive experience provided by Bad Bunny’s concerts. He posits that the concerts amplify cultural pride that is otherwise confined to a single day in the academic calendar (08:05).

[08:43] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana delves deeper into how Puerto Rican youth, in particular, are reclaiming their cultural expression. She recounts Bad Bunny’s opening lines, “Estamos aquí. Estamos en casa,” as a resounding affirmation of Puerto Rican presence and identity (08:43). This declaration fosters a sense of belonging and pride among attendees, reinforcing their cultural heritage.

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Social and Economic Impact

Economic Infusion into the Island

[18:07] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana discusses the projected economic impact of Bad Bunny's residency, estimating an infusion of over $300 million into Puerto Rico's economy. This injection is crucial for the island's growth and resilience, especially in the wake of recent economic challenges (18:07).

Social Capital and Youth Empowerment

[18:07] Ana Maria Sayer:
Beyond economic benefits, Ana emphasizes the creation of social capital. By featuring local artists and inviting prominent figures from across Latin America, Bad Bunny fosters a sense of unity and empowerment among Puerto Rican youth. This cultural upliftment is seen as pivotal in encouraging young people to stay and invest in their homeland rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere (18:07).

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Community Responses and Testimonials

Interviews with Erica Rodriguez

[04:02] Erica Rodriguez:
Erica, a photographer and photojournalist, provides a poignant reflection on the concerts. She likens the experience to “el dia de la Puerto Ricanida on steroids,” a significant amplification of the annual celebration of Puerto Rican identity (04:02). Erica highlights how the concert intertwines historical and cultural symbols, reinforcing the islanders' connection to their heritage.

[05:57] Erica Rodriguez:
During her interview, Erica elaborates on the importance of integrating Afro-Puerto Rican music like bomba and plena into mainstream performances. She remarks, “For a Puerto Rican, it's deep. Like, this is who we are. This is what my life has been, and we're celebrating it here” (05:57), underscoring the profound cultural resonance of the shows.

Reactions from Fans Across Generations

[22:35] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana notes the diverse demographic of concertgoers, from young enthusiasts to elderly fans. She shares anecdotes of grandmothers attending with their families, illustrating the concert's role as a unifying family event. These multigenerational gatherings symbolize the widespread appeal and cultural significance of Bad Bunny's performances (22:35).

[21:11] Felix Contreras:
Felix remembers Bad Bunny's ability to blend folkloric elements in high-profile moments, such as the Latin Grammys, and reiterates the importance of this cultural fusion in enhancing the concert experience (21:11).

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Broader Implications for Latin America

Impact on Diaspora Communities

[27:26] Ana Maria Sayer:
As the residency gains momentum, Ana observes its potential influence beyond Puerto Rico. She recounts a moving story of Maria Corina Ramirez, a Venezuelan expatriate, whose mother found solace and connection in Bad Bunny’s music. The song “Lo KE Le Paso Hawaii” evoked deep emotions related to displacement and the longing for home (29:07). This narrative illustrates how Bad Bunny’s music resonates with broader Latin American diaspora communities, fostering a shared sense of identity and emotional connection.

[30:16] Felix Contreras:
Felix highlights the universal themes in Bad Bunny's music that speak to the experiences of Latin Americans globally. The concerts serve as a beacon of cultural pride and resilience, inspiring similar movements across the continent (30:16).

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Community Initiatives and Cultural Preservation

Los Pleneros de la Cresta's Cultural Ruta

[24:48] Felix Contreras:
Felix and Ana delve into the initiatives spurred by the concert's success, spotlighting groups like Los Pleneros de la Cresta. This plena band has launched "Ruta," an educational tour that takes visitors through their hometown, offering workshops and cultural lessons to preserve and promote Puerto Rican heritage (24:48).

[26:05] Ana Maria Sayer:
Ana explains that the proceeds from Ruta support the renovation of a cultural institute, aiming to secure long-term preservation and education of Puerto Rican culture. This initiative exemplifies how local artists are leveraging economic and social momentum to drive sustainable cultural preservation (26:05).

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Conclusion

[30:28] Ana Maria Sayer:
As the episode draws to a close, Ana reflects on the profound impact of Bad Bunny’s residency. She characterizes it as a transformative moment not only for Puerto Rico but for Latin America as a whole, emphasizing the unity and cultural pride it instills among diverse communities (30:28).

[31:02] Felix Contreras:
Felix wraps up the discussion by acknowledging the ongoing significance of the residency and hints at the continuous cultural reverberations it will create throughout the summer and beyond (31:02).

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Notable Quotes

• Ana Maria Sayer:
  “It was turning on its head everyone’s perception of what Bad Bunny is, of what the island is” (02:42).

• Erica Rodriguez:
  “The only way I can summarize it, it was like el dia de la Puerto Ricanida on steroids” (04:02).

• Ana Maria Sayer:
  “Estamos aquí. Estamos en casa” (08:43).

• Maria Corina Ramirez:
  “I saw her start sobbing when the song said, because we had to leave” (29:07).

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Final Thoughts

This episode of All Songs Considered masterfully intertwines personal experiences with broader cultural and socio-economic analyses, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Bad Bunny's monumental impact on Puerto Rico. Through engaging storytelling and insightful discussions, Felix and Ana highlight the power of music as a vessel for cultural expression, unity, and transformation.

For those who haven’t tuned in, this episode is a compelling listen that not only celebrates Bad Bunny’s artistic prowess but also sheds light on the profound cultural renaissance occurring in Puerto Rico and its rippling effects across Latin America.

Transcript

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[Felix Contreras]

From NPR Music, this is Aunt Latino. I'm Felix Contreras.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

And I'm Ana Maria Sayer. Let the chisme begin.

[Felix Contreras]

Okay, as we said last week, Ana is in Puerto Rico, in San Juan.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

My favorite place in the world.

[Felix Contreras]

And she's there for a very, very special occasion. She went to take in two of the Bad Bunny concerts that are scheduled throughout all the way through September. So that's what we're gonna do this week. We're gonna unpack your experience.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

Felix, this is the party of the summer, the party of the century. Maybe one could say I'm sad you missed it, but next time you can come with.

[Felix Contreras]

Yeah, summer's not over yet. Let's see what happens.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

So I was lucky enough. I got invited as press to experience the shows designated for Puerto Ricans on the island here. It was amazing to experience the energy in that room of being in a show by someone from the island, for the island to take that in, to understand the implications of that. So, Felix, I talked to a lot of people all this week, outside of the concert, in the concert, between concerts, and we're going to get into all of that. But I really, just to sum up, encapsulate the incredible energy and musical experience of what this show was, because it really was more than a show. It was like a guide to Puerto Rico in general and its history. I'm going to play you a sample of Bad Bunny's very famous song, Callita. You might recognize it now. Check out what it sounded like on Friday night.

[Felix Contreras]

Straight on, big band salsa rearrangement. Interesting.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

I personally never thought I would hear those lyrics over salsa rhythms, but that is really effectively, to me, what this show was again and again and again. It was turning on its head. Everyone's perception of what Bad Bunny is, of what the island is. It was really designed to be a structure around Puerto Rican identity, Puerto Rican music, and using all of these things to create something powerful. Everyone I talked to, I expected to kind of hear mixed opinions about, oh, how do we feel about this residency? Almost every single person I talked to described it as a euphoria, just excitement, energy, a feeling of wow. The fact that this man, who is a global superstar is coming home and giving us these shows is giving us this opportunity to celebrate who we are en El coyceo is incredible. I sat down with a friend of mine, Erica Rodriguez. She's a photographer, a photojournalist on the island. She's also one of the burgeoning planetas in the big revival plena scene. And when she told me, because I was surprised. She's not a bad bunny fan. But walking into El coliseo de Puerto Rico, which is one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic venue on a very musical island, Erika said she felt like it was something from her childhood. Felix, I want to play you a part of our conversation.

[Erica Rodriguez]

The only way I can summarize it, it was like el dia de la Puerto Ricanida on steroids. So in school here we have one day a year. This is like official. On the calendar, private and public schools, we have Eliadra Puerto Ricanida. So the date of. I don't know how to translate that. Puerto Ricanida, where we kind of like celebrate Puerto Rican identity. And like, when you're really young, everybody has like this, the same dress up of like la falda, la flor de maga and a white shirt. And the boys are in a power, like, it's kind of just like this iconic, stereotypical way of representing the people from El Campo. And when you're a kid, you all, we all have that photo. El dia de la Puerto Ricanida de jihuarito jihuarita. And all of a sudden it's like you see this in a concert. I think the show really stunned me. I do think that a show for Puerto Ricans, like, it's not a show. I mean, people from outside, they can enjoy it, but there's a lot of context and symbolojia of history that it's intertwined in the show, that if you're Puerto Rican and you understand the context, you know what they're saying, you know what he's saying and how he's celebrating the culture and calling for defending the island and our ownership of our land and. And of an identity and like having that pride for being Puerto Rican and what it means to stay here.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

Talk me through a little bit of what exactly you saw. Like, you saw everything outside and you're like, this is kind of weird. And then you walked in the door and you were like, it makes a little more sense. Like, what was consistent about the flow of the show that was like, this is super Puerto Rican. This feels super for us. Like, what were some things that stood out to you?

[Erica Rodriguez]

I think even from the very beginning of having the show, starting with gatong and playing bomba and different rhythms of bomba and giving space to Afro Puerto Rican music and having such a humongous stage, right? And not just like the space, but the fact that this is Bad Bunny, it's the biggest artist on the planet right now. And I don't know if somebody that's not from here, that hasn't been exposed to that through their entire life, like, it's not the same experience. I think for a Puerto Rican, it's just like, it's deep. Like, this is who we are. This is what my life has been, and we're celebrating it here. So I think for me, it was more than just a show. Like, it was not just a concert of like, oh, there's this musician or singer singing and playing. It's like, it's a whole statement and it's a whole also celebration, like, for people, I think of giving space to people, to real yoral y bail salsa, like all of that in one.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

So that was Erica Rodriguez's initial impression of the show. And Felix, I cannot emphasize to you enough how thoroughly Bad Bunny represented so many different parts of the island currently. And historically. That was something that was also said to me again and again that there's something for everyone. There was salsa, plena womba. And we have to remember that a lot of these sounds, all of them at a certain point, have been representative of marginalized communities on the island. I mean, salsa, even in Puerto Rico, was considered like music del barrio at one point. And now to be something that's being celebrated on this massive stage. Same with Plena y Bomba, which is still played in a lot of the Afro Puerto Rican communities on the island today. A de mas reggaeton that gets its equal part, its equal celebration. I think I was shocked as someone who enjoys the music, who enjoyed the album, who saw it represented, it really felt like there was no shortage of moments that were designed to keep alive and maintain a culture alive on the island that represents all of the music.

[Felix Contreras]

You know, something that stood out to me, what she said about the idea of there's one day a year where they can dress and celebrate Puerto Rican culture. And I don't know the history, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that that seems like that was a way to keep the culture down, to keep it from spreading. You only have one day a year to do this, to dress and recognize the rest of the time, let's not talk about it. And have that contrast with this concert that is nothing but this massive celebration of what they were not able to express that makes the impact of this concert series or this series of shows even more profound. I think.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

Something that has always struck me about Puerto Rican identity, specifically this generation that Benito is a part of, it's like everything the focus is at this stage now to reclaim that intense cultural expression. It's like they understand where they sit as a colony in relation to the mainland. And so every single choice and every single piece of art that they create or thing that they say, the way that they operate, it's always like, yo joso de Puerto Rico. That's how I introduce myself. Like, that is my number one identifying quality, virtue, whatever it might be. And they really sit with that. And so it felt like Bad Bunny, in many ways was consuming this, adopting this and then sending it back to them. Like, every single stage of the show, the first word that you hear, the actual words you hear spoken, is estamos aqui. And everyone explodes. And then his first words are, estamos en casa, no me que oy de aqui. And everyone explodes. It's like every single moment, every single chance he has opportunity, he has to establish that this is where they are and this is where they will stay. The is almost like an accent to the message, to the political message, to the movement, to the vision for his Puerto Rico. And I spoke with a lot of young people in line who were all really excited about the show, some of them longtime fans, some of them coming to the art more newly because of this album of this generation. And they echoed a lot of the sentiments that I heard him say in the actual show. One person I talked to in particular, her name is Erica Maria Rodriguez, shared that her only hope for the show is to be with the people from her island who are there. She said that it doesn't matter where you're coming from, when you look to your side or around you, that you know that you're with your people in the space. And I think that that's an energy that a lot of people felt. I mean, I met an old lady in a walker outside who showed up not knowing the music, not knowing anything about it, but said, I just wanted to see where everyone was gathering. I wanted to see how my people were being represented. This person who is carrying us with pride, who's helping Levantarel's our self esteem as an island. And this is something that I think Bad Bunny takes very seriously in this position, right. He talked on stage about how what Puerto Rico does best is talent and heart. And I think that that's something that a lot of people really feel and really express deeply they can feel the way that the island is shifting in its pride and in its overall sentiment of like that woman said, its self esteem is almost on the rise as a result of all the energy he's bringing into the island.

[Felix Contreras]

Okay, we've been doing a lot of talking Ana, let's hear a little bit of music. What should we hear?

[Ana Maria Sayer]

I think it's about time to play ballet. Nolvidable because we've talked about the salsa, we've talked about the old style of the record. This one I never, I never cannot dance to it. Sam.

[Felix Contreras]

We'Re gonna dance our way into a break. We'll be right back with some more conversation about the Bad Bunny residency in Puerto Rico. Stand by.

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[Mariel Segarra]

If you're a robot, this might not be the show for you. But if you're a human with hopes, dreams and bills to pay, the Life Kit podcast might be just what you need. Three times a week, Life Kit brings you a fresh set of solutions to help you tackle topics big and small. From how to save money on groceries to how to bring the house down at karaoke. You know, human stuff. Listen to the Life Kit Podcast from npr. Presentado por mi Mariel Segarra Okay Felix.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

We'Re back from break no kidding.

[Felix Contreras]

Nice segue.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

Thanks. Segways are an art for you, Felix. For me, it's just getting the job done.

[Felix Contreras]

Carry on.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

And I just to emphasize, because obviously this is a three hour show, Felix, like a marathon of the show. I don't know how this man is doing three nights of this every single week. I was exhausted from going to two nights in a weekend. And obviously I just. I did lose my voice, I will say to my credit, and I danced a lot. But to give you a sense of just how much of a swath of sounds that he included, I want to walk you through a couple of the guests that I got to see while I was there. Because every night he brings about four guests. And so it's more than just right, doing the visuals or shouting out different artists, which he does as well. But it's really like literally using musicians and giving them the space to actually have their own performances. So what he'll do is he'll bring a guest on, he'll do a song with them, and then he'll let them have their space to kind of fly and do their own things. The first artist that he brought, that he brings every single show is Los Pleneros de La Cresta. And they have a whole actual plana interlude there. They do like a couple songs. So I want to play you a little bit of Los Planeros de La Cresta. Their song, Los de la Isla.

[Felix Contreras]

Even just studio recording, is powerful, incredible.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

And what they're doing on the island is amazing. So that happens at La Casita because he moves back and forth between the stage and La Casita in the show. When he moves back to the stage, he breaks into a whole big band salsa moment, like what you heard Calladita.

[Felix Contreras]

And you know, that's something that Bad Bunny has done throughout his career. I remember seeing him on television. I think maybe it was the Latin Grammys where he brought out folkloric groups amidst this high profile, very mainstream moment. What's the value of that and him doing that in this instance?

[Ana Maria Sayer]

You know, a lot of people, Felix, are talking about the economic value of this residency, which certainly there is one. I mentioned this before. I went 300, over $300 million supposedly projected to be infused into the economy. And that's really important, of course, for the growth of the island. But I think first and foremost, what he's doing here is really building social capital. And that's something that we've seen with the people that he's inviting to La Casita, people that are famous from the mainland. From different parts of Latin America. He's also celebrating a lot of people in Puerto Rico, inviting a lot of famous athletes and musicians and artists to be participants. What all of this does to me is effectively created a youth empowerment, which is really important when you're looking at an island where people can't afford to stay, where people are leaving, where people are spending a lot of time on the mainland. And he's calling out to everyone and saying, no, Puerto Rico is where you want to be. And also it's powerful culturally and can be economically. I think that that's a really important turning point for the island to be having. I talked to some people outside who kind of shared that sentiment. They said that he's been doing this for a while now, right? Like making them feel like there is social power to being Puerto Rican and that youth do feel empowered. I spoke with Erica Maria Rodriguez about this, and she shared the sentiment that she's felt this accumulation of social power for the past few years as a result of what Bad Bunny's been doing, that the youth do feel empowered right now. But, Felix, they were not just young people. You would have loved this. The amount of viejitas I saw outside was absolutely ridiculous. Like, fully in their attire, ready to perrea, but showing up with generations of families, right? Like, I talked to a few grandmas who were there with their daughters, with their sons, with their grandkids, and. And they said that really they were only there to be with family, that this was considered a family event. And moreover, that they felt that Puerto Rico needed someone like Bad Bunny. They talked about how this generation, they experienced, Maria, They've lived through all these apagones and that they needed someone who could unite them, who could speak directly to the people. And I think that there's a real value to that, right. That's beyond just, oh, the economic growth. It's young people seeing this and maybe feeling differently about where they're from, Coming home, staying, voting differently. These are real concrete changes that could come from an experience like this. But it wasn't like they were just going to perread because Felix, there was something for them too. My first night there, he brought out the salsa legend of all legends, Gilberto Santa Rosa. And Gilberto sang La Agarro Bajando.

[Felix Contreras]

The Pacio. A topic for another show and not for this show right now, but just like tracing the development of the base, the role of the bass in Straight Ahead Salsa, to me is fascinating. That dude was playing as melodically as Paul McCartney. It's amazing. File that away for an idea for a future show, because it's incredible. Go ahead.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

I'm sorry, Felix, you're gonna die when you see the show. I'm dead serious. Because really, it is like the big band salsa experience. The musicians are insane.

[Felix Contreras]

I can imagine. I mean. Cause that's.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

That's Puerto Rico.

[Felix Contreras]

Growing up from my generation, okay, mid-60s, Puerto Rico was one of the centers of salsa, where the development of salsa came from, along with New York. More so than Cuba, actually, because of the politics. But, yeah, Puerto Rico, to me, has always been identified with this ground zero for a lot of salsa, both Puerto Rico and in New York.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

It is, Felix. But there is again this really important shift. I have a friend, Rafael Cancel Vazquez, and he happens to be the son of Rafael Cancel Miranda, who was one of the four people who. Who invaded the U.S. capitol in 1954 as a statement for Puerto Rican independence. Now, Rafa, obviously very interesting person with a lot to say, but one of the really important things he's doing right now on the island is he's established this salsa event called Cambio Enclave. And it's a place where people can collectively come and dance salsa together, specifically young people. He actually describes it as the Tinder of the island. The point of all of this is that before Bad Bunny came and did his residency, Rafa was effectively in residency with salsa in this event. And what he said to me is that it's so important to continually emphasize the fact that for him, salsa was not considered high class or high society music. It's something that you heard and knew about, but that was in, like, grocery stores and irrelevant, not very exciting places, but with a lot of the energy that's happening all at the same time as Bad Bunny's doing his residency. People are reclaiming all, all parts of Puerto Rican identity. And seeing all parts of the identity is powerful. It's really interesting, honestly. And he said, of course, he's seen a huge uptick and explosion since the album came out and expects to see even more as people come in for the residency. But he's hoping that with a lot of this infusion of energy, that people will continue to have a cultural pride that translates into real change for the island.

[Felix Contreras]

Considering how dynamic the cultural life of the island is right now. Are there other people doing something similar, working to use culture as an agent of change?

[Ana Maria Sayer]

So this is one of the things, Felix, that, to me, is the most exciting because all eyes are on the residency right now. But I mentioned Los Pleneros de la Cresta earlier that they're obviously this Plana band that has been around for a bit. I've talked about them on the show before. They started at Universal de Puerto Rico, specifically with the idea that they were going to create a group to keep Plana alive. Now what they're doing, and I talked to them after the show in this moment is taking advantage of all the energy, all of the heat on the island. And they actually have created this really interesting thing, it's called a ruta, basically where they're bringing people to their hometown and using it as a moment not only obviously to generate tourism dollars, but to educate people, to educate tourists. They said both people from around the island and people from abroad on what is all parts of Puerto Rican culture. They're taking them to different stops along the way and giving them effectively, like a little bit of a history lesson in what El campo is, the music that comes from it. They're doing different workshops that are like Plano workshops and coffee workshops. And all of the money from this is actually going to help renovate a cultural institute in their hometown. And to me, this is very, very, very much representative of the power of how people use music on the island. They're basically stepping in as musicians to serve as their own politicians, their own government, to raise money for cultural institutions to educate people on what it is to be Puerto Rican. And they told me that their hope is that within all of this, if they can establish this kind of a program, then the government can see that and actually step in and support their programming and give them money and give them funding, make this a year round experience. So that, to me, is what I can see being the reverberations of this residency. Right. It's not just obviously a lifting up of all of the island economically, but really kind of tapping the government to step in and take advantage of some of the ways that, as they described it, Bad Bunny is putting fuel on the fire.

[Felix Contreras]

Okay, Ana, you mentioned that there were some nights we just talked for hours and hours about this stuff. Obviously we could keep on going, but we can't talk for hours and hours at the moment. But before we wrap up, talk a little bit about what you think this means for Latin America in general, this kind of cultural event, this kind of movement, this kind of recognition of homegrown culture and pride.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

So, Felix, I kind of had this light bulb moment outside of El Choli. As I was talking to people, I kept bringing up this idea of, oh, but are people afraid that he's bringing tourists on the island and everyone's like, no, as long as they're responsible tourists, it's fine. And to me, I think what I had imagined is a lot of people coming from the US kind of taking advantage of the moment, paying a lot of money and seeing maybe some not as good changes on the island. But what I realized as I was sitting outside is I was like, no, this is a really important moment for Latin America to see an artist like this occupying his home space, taking it back. I think we will see a lot of people coming from all parts of both continents to see this concert. And what really struck me, obviously, I've talked about how much I think that this album means for Latin America in its entirety. I think everyone can understand right now, no matter what part you're from, that fear of your home changing and losing where you're from. And I took my friend Maria Corina Ramirez, who is Venezuelan, to the show. This was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. Felix, you know, I told you, trying to pick one person was like, I don't know how I did it. I think all my other friends probably hate me now. But the point is, Maria Corina, she's Venezuelana. She had to move when she was 8 years old. And as we were sitting outside, she talked about what this album meant for her mom, that her mom cries every single time she hears Lo KE Le Paso Hawaii. She was able to go to the residency actually two weeks before we did. And Maria Corina described to me what it's like to watch her mom listen to this song. Given that Lokele Paso Hawaii is a song about not losing your home.

[Maria Corina Ramirez]

What? Literally, I saw her start sobbing when the song said, because we had to leave. And we knew what that was like, you know? And so I think that's also the impact that goes beyond Puerto Rico. It's like everyone who's had to leave Latin America hears that, and it's automatically like, I know what that. I know what that is. You know, I know what the heartbreak is. And I also know what it's like to really love the joy and the spirit of who Latin America is and have to also suffer the way that we suffer.

[Felix Contreras]

Lots to take in. As we said, this is going to run all summer. I'm sure there are going to be things that happen during the course of this show that will want to mention on the show. So we'll keep an eye on this whole thing that's happening throughout the summer.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

And maybe we'll be back, Felix.

[Felix Contreras]

Maybe. Let's see. Wink, wink. Ana, thanks so much. For your firsthand report on this.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

No thanks necessary, Felix. This was the highlight of my life.

[Felix Contreras]

So we should have led with that. You should have said that at the beginning of the show. You have been listening to Alt Latino from NPR Music. Our audio editor is Noah Caldwell Serrayo. Muhammad is executive producer of NPR Music. I'm Felix Contreras.

[Ana Maria Sayer]

And I'm Ana Maria Sayer.

[Felix Contreras]

Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you next week.

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