It’s bewildering when you know you’re in the presence of history in the making. That’s the kind of energy that Bad Bunny brought to Yankee Stadium during the weekend of Aug. 27 and 28.
More than 50,000 people attended the two consecutive performances, and the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning artist testified his unmatched star power tenfold with equal parts grit and charisma. On Sunday, he even took home a MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year from the Bronx stage — the first Spanish-language artist to win that category in the award's 37-year existence. "Since day one, I always knew that one day I could be the biggest star in the world without having to change my culture, my language, my genre. I am Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, from Puerto Rico to the world," he said in Spanish.
Although this was my fifth time seeing the star live (yes, I’m a huge fan, like nearly everyone else), it hit differently this time as Benito has skyrocketed to unfathomable heights in the last few years. With his utterly impressive hit-making, chart-topping and record-breaking streak, it’s unarguable that El Conejo Malo’s astronomical ascent is the stuff of legends. It’s the era of the Bunny and we are all living in it.
He is a modern musical shapeshifter who is fervently beloved by the masses — and that love was on full display at the historic stadium and beyond. The D train commute transported elated crowds shouting his songs, while sound systems blared his hits, and countless people sported bunny ears. It truly was a monumental occasion for anyone in attendance, especially considering that the city has the largest population of Puerto Ricans in the country outside of P.R. itself.
Here are five times Bad Bunny’s World Hottest Tour performance at Yankee Stadium testified he is a riveting artist for the ages.
Nearly Every Song He Performed Is A No. 1 Single
The year isn’t over yet, but Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti is on its path to becoming the biggest album of 2022. It’s the second all-Spanish-language album to peak the Billboard Global 200 chart — the first being his own El Último Tour del Mundo from 2020. With a staggering seven No. 1 singles on his fourth solo release and counting — and loads of memorable bangers throughout his six-year career — fans were treated to an evening of non-stop thrills and chills.
The moment Bad Bunny stepped foot on stage, and the captivating notes to "Moscow Mule" began to play, concert-goers visibly lost their minds. He was armed with an arsenal of hit after hit after hit: the whirling "Dakiti," the feelgood party-starter "Estamos Bien," the wildly viral "Me Porto Bonito," Cardi B’s salsa-trap number "I Like It," the Latin GRAMMY-nominated "Vete," and the beat goes on.
But who in the world could have imagined a sold-out Yankees Stadium mass singing in unison: "¡Shorty tiene un culo bien grande!" (Or "Shorty has a big butt!," lyrics to "Yonaguni")?
He Invited An All-Star Lineup Of Legendary Guests
Reggaeton trailblazer Chencho Corleone is experiencing a fruitful second wave of fame, but this time it’s on a global scale. Fresh from performing at Mexico’s Baja Beach Fest the previous weekend, the Plan B alum made his way to the East Coast to revel in Nueva Yol pride — and Corleone did not disappoint. When his high-pitched, dancehall-tinged lilt comes in on the earworm-y "Me Porto Bonito" verse, the vibe got undeniably littier, inspiring perreo moves throughout the stadium.
Genre veterans Jowell & Randy brought serious heat too, especially when the wickedly hard-hitting beats to "Safarea" began to play. The Puerto Rican pair co-led the way to some nasty old school reggaeton, and the crowd absolutely loved it. They even played a few of their own hits from 2020’s Bad Bunny-produced Viva El Perreo, including "Se Acabó la Cuarentena." "¿Dónde están los que hacen lo que les dé la gana?," Bad Bunny shouted at some point, or "where are those who do whatever they want?," a reference to YHLQMDLG.
Arcángel also made a striking appearance during Bad Bunny’s Latin trap segment — which included the risky "La Ocasión" and "Me Acostumbré" — and provided his signature nimble vocal delivery. Then the Marías front crooner María Zardoya showed up to sing the soulful "Otro Atardecer" off Bunny’s new album. Seasoned reggaetonero Tony Dize also popped up to join the on stage party.
Romeo Santos' Performance Was Both Epic And Humbling
The moment that the Bachata King stepped foot on stage, the hordes of ecstatic, wholly surprised people collectively knew that this was another one for the books. Romeo Santos’ presence was a sight to behold, and he stood in awe to hear the roaring crowd. Clad in all white and a touch of lime green, the Aventura frontman shouted "Puerto Rico! Republica Dominicana!" and kicked off with the insatiable "Volví."
Last August, Aventura featuring Bad Bunny released the sprightly banger which earned the bachata group their first No. 1 song in over a decade, and it felt timeless as two of the hottest superstars on the planet performed it side by side, followed by a hug of mutual respect.
Santos’ return to Yankee Stadium was also noteworthy considering that the Bronx native has a large, local and fervid fanbase. (He sold out Yankee Stadium in 2014.) The Puerto Rican-Dominican artist sang his own hit, the slinky "Propuesta Indecente" a capella, but when the two icons busted out Don Omar’s "Ella Y Yo," with Bad Bunny singing Omar’s parts, all hell broke loose. "¡El rey de la bachata!," Bad Bunny shouted, as the King made his exit with guns blazing.
His Uplifting Tropical Vibes Are Far-Reaching
Bad Bunny has influenced city dwellers around the world to bask in a summer groove — regardless of season and well beyond the tropical archipelago. That optimistic energy was alive and well this weekend as diverse crowds of Mexican, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian and other New Yorkers repped their native countries on the train to Yankee Stadium.
Many not only sported beachy attire, but they channeled a joyous attitude accompanied when one goes on vacation, and Un Verano Sin Ti captures that contagious carefree spirit — a stark contrast from his previous apocalyptic-themed El Último Tour del Mundo. It’s a feeling we so dreadfully missed during the pandemic, and Bad Bunny was a ray of sunshine beaming through, warming up our hearts and lighting up our spirits.
His Embrace Of Latinx Culture Is Transcendental
Aside from delivering one of the most exhilarating performances I’ve had the honor of attending, Latinx pride and culture was at full throttle. New York City has a long history of nurturing the Latinx community and was one of the first major U.S. cities that embraced Bad Bunny when he emerged in 2017. He paid that respect back in multiple ways — songs by legendary New York’s salsa crew Fania All-Stars also resonated throughout the venue prior to his entrance. Ray Barretto, Héctor Lavoe, and Willie Colón tunes were a welcoming reprise, but so were the multitude of crowds waving their own flags with pridefulness.
Bad Bunny shed a spotlight on traditional genres like Dominican dembow, Puerto Rican salsa, merengue, and other Caribbean rhythms alongside contemporary urbano beats, setting the mood for Latinx solidarity. Near the end of his concert, his backup dancers also lofted a Puerto Rican flag with the words "Está bien cabrón" (or "Is the shit") written on it, which was followed by a deafening roar from the audience. It was in fact the first time the legendary Yankee Stadium housed a reggaeton-heavy showcase of this caliber. When you consider that only a few years ago the Boricua star worked at a local grocery store, it makes his impressive feat even more magnificent.
For a borough like the Bronx, which is heavily populated by the Latinx diaspora, having a Puerto Rican performer reign over the Yankee Stadium for a weekend marked a triumphant moment. When Spanish-language music was often overlooked by mainstream American media just a decade ago, Bad Bunny’s success is our success. And his music has transcended as a way to celebrate Latinidad.
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