Bad Bunny raised eyebrows by apparently criticizing Colombian singer J Balvin. about his new album “Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana” (“Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow”).
The 22-track CD, released Friday, features the lines “You’ve seen me, I’m always with the same people/ For now you are all friends with the whole world, just like Balvin“
As music writer Julissa Lopez explains in Rolling Stone, the lyric has been widely interpreted as a reference to the fact that J Balvin “he has been criticized for his commercial and people-pleasing approach both in music and as an artist.“
The apparent mockery came as a surprise since Bad Bunny and J Balvin are known to have a good relationship. The pair collaborated on several tracks and even recorded an Oasis album together in 2019.
J Balvin expressed surprise at the reaction on Instagram
In an Instagram Live video recorded shortly after the release of “Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana,” J Balvin said, “I think Bad is a really good artist, a great artist. The guy I know is a great guy. We had a great collaboration, we grew up together, we supported each other.”
He added: “I don’t know what’s on his mind, I really don’t. Although I know the guy I know is a good guy. So this really took me by surprise.“
Bad Bunny mentions Shakira’s words “cash”
Bad Bunny’s new album also contains references to other artists.
In the song “Los Pits” the 29-year-old singer seems to hint at “BZRP Music Sessions #53” An incredibly successful collaboration between Colombian pop star Shakira and Argentine DJ and producer Bizarrap.
In an apparent adaptation of Shakira’s “women don’t cry anymore, they make money,” the Puerto Rican sings, “Now the men are crying, but they continue to make money.“
Refers to Karol J’s use of the word “bichota”.
Meanwhile, on “Vuelve Candy B,” Bad Bunny addresses “bichota.” is a word that has become synonymous with Colombian singer Karol J. She uses the term as a reference to a strong female figure as part of her attempts to promote female empowerment through her music.
Karol J. repurposed the word from the Puerto Rican slang term “bichote” – “bichota” in its masculine form, which usually refers to drug dealers.
“Hi, I’m from PR (Puerto Rico), where the real “bichotas” come from.– Bad Bunny sings.