In late November, Forbes Magazine sparked a heated debate with its cover, featuring Bad Bunny not only as part of their prestigious 30 Under 30 list but also crowning him the “King of Pop,” a title associated with the legendary Michael Jackson. While this recognition could be seen as a positive nod to the influential career of one of the most impactful Latino artists, it also raises eyebrows within the diverse tapestry of Latin America.
Latin America is a richly diverse region, comprised of numerous countries with unique differences that even native Latinos find challenging to fully comprehend. Beyond the external portrayal of a community known for its zest for life, love of music, and appreciation for good food, there’s a shared dislike to being defined by external sources.
While certain terms are undeniably offensive and directed as insults toward Latin American migrants, even amidst criticism, there’s an acknowledgment that to be attacked, one must first be seen.
For Latinos, it can be disconcerting to be labeled as something we are not. Though being dubbed the “King of Pop” may not be inherently insulting, it raises concerns that our identity is being diluted into concepts foreign to our cultural essence. It’s like saying an authentic Mexican restaurant serves the best Tex-Mex Food in town, it sounds like representation, but it does the opposite.
This underscores the importance of consultants with a profound understanding of culture and language. Their insights allow for the testing and validation of content with the appropriate cultural context, ensuring resonance with the intended audience.
Bad Bunny stands out as the preeminent star among Latinos, making waves since 2022 with record-breaking achievements in the music industry. Forbes highlighted his staggering success on social media, surpassing major global artists in views and accolades, including three Grammys and 11 Latin Grammys. He made history as the first Latin artist to headline the Coachella Music Festival. And he did it all it all while singing solely in Spanish. However, the controversy arises from the attempt to characterize him as the “King of Pop.”
For the last three years, Bad Bunny has been the most streamed artist on Spotify worldwide reaching the massive number of 18.2 billion streams on the platform in 2022 and had the most streamed album in a day in 2023. Latinos know each other, especially those who made it to the top and represent a big part of a culture. How could someone feel represented by content that fumbles the ball with the biggest of our stars?
Bad Bunny, despite his fame, accolades, and success, isn’t pop, nor does he aspire to be. If the intention was to acknowledge Latinos, coining the biggest star of our community as the “King of Pop” misses the mark.
While welcoming recognition and representation of Latinos in mainstream media, it is paramount to do so in a manner that respects our identity and culture. The controversy surrounding Bad Bunny being labeled the King of Pop underscores the significance of understanding and appreciating the cultural nuances before making assumptions. Successful representation should celebrate and highlight the unique contributions of Latino artists and their individual genres without erasing their identity.
Imagen 1: © [Anna Shvets] de Pexels
Imagen 2: © [Generada por IA] de Canva
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Cool & Associates LLC.
