Bad Bunny Encourages Puerto Ricans to Vote in Upcoming Election

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is undoubtedly one of the most prominent artists in music today and he’s now using his influence to encourage people to vote in his homeland. Earlier this year, his critically acclaimed fourth album  Un Verano Sin Ti was featured on Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums. He was also selected as a co-chair for the 2024 Met Gala alongside Jennifer Lopez. But last week, he surprised fans around the world by doing the one thing he rarely does: talk about politics. He appeared in an interview with Puerto Rican YouTuber El Tony where he discussed his music (confirming more songs are in the works!), then turning to the political situation in Puerto Rico. He urged fans and all Puerto Ricans to vote in the island’s upcoming election, which is said to be one of the most important political moments in recent years. His comments have not only highlighted the problems currently plaguing Puerto Rico, including frequent power outages, but also inspired thousands of newly eligible voters to register to vote before the deadline on September 21, according to NBC News.

“Yes, it’s good to denounce things on social media; it’s good to take to the streets to protest, to make ourselves felt as a people. But I believe the biggest protest is going out to vote on November 5 against the people who have led us to this mess,” he said in the interview. “I’m speaking like any other Puerto Rican who wants to express themselves about the situation in the country where I live. I continue to be myself. I’m not getting into politics. Politics gets into my life because politics affects my country, it affects Puerto Rico.”

Over the past 15 years, Puerto Ricans on the island have struggled to survive under financial crisis, economic turmoil, and natural disasters including the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and earthquakes in 2020. Hundreds of thousands have had to migrate to the U.S. mainland in search of work. Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. commonwealth, which continues to be a topic of debate among Puerto Ricans on and off the island, has not been as beneficial according to some. The population loss and lack of faith in governments has resulted in many Puerto Ricans losing trust in their local elections and causing a significant decline in voter turnout. While usual turnouts hover around 73-89 percent, 2016 saw a turnout of 55 percent, a record low that repeated itself in the 2020 elections as well, NBC News reported.

But this year, Bad Bunny is working to ensure those numbers change for the better. His comments have already gone viral on social media, where they have become memes and jingles. On the island itself, hundreds of students at different campuses of the University of Puerto Rico became voters for the first time, causing long lines for voter registration events. Hopefully, this means that positive changes are coming for the island following this increase in new voters.

“Voting is very important, especially if you are young. Deciding the future of the place where we live, where we grew up, don’t let others decide it,” Bad Bunny added during the interview.

The Puerto Rican elections will take place on November 5, 2024.