Back in January, Bad Bunny announced a 30-night residency at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico, celebrating his new album Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Months later, he revealed a global tour without a single U.S. date, something he initially brushed off in Variety as “unnecessary” after years of heavy touring stateside. But in a candid new interview with i-D, the superstar admitted his decision was also shaped by concerns over immigration enforcement and its impact on his fans.
Why He Skipped the States
When asked directly if his absence was tied to mass deportations and heightened immigration enforcement, Bad Bunny didn’t hesitate: “Man, honestly, yes.”
The reggaeton star explained he had “many reasons” to steer clear of the U.S. this time around, including safety concerns for his audiences. “There was the issue of, like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
Bad Bunny encouraged U.S.-based fans to travel to Puerto Rico for his residency, which wraps Sept. 14. He’s previously called out ICE’s presence on the island, once posting footage of a raid in Pontezuela while denouncing the agents as “sons of bitches.”
A Global Tour with Local Roots
After closing out his run in San Juan, the “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency will give way to the Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour in December. Stops include Latin America, South America, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Europe, Australia and England.
Even while expanding globally, Bad Bunny’s focus remains deeply Puerto Rican. He leaned heavily into salsa, bomba and plena on the new record, genres tied to the island’s identity. He told i-D he had always dreamed of making a salsa project but assumed he’d wait until later in life. “But why wait so long?” he asked. “I already had the idea for the song ‘BAILE INOLVIDABLE.’ I had the track ‘NUEVAYoL,’ which had a sample of salsa. It drove me to connect with everything I am as a Puerto Rican.”
Puerto Rico in Hollywood
Much of Debí Tirar Más Fotos reflects the tension between global fame and local identity. While his previous record, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, felt exiled from the island, the new album doubles down on his roots. “I’m Hollywood, but I’m also Puerto Rico. I’m also the hood,” Bad Bunny said. “I can talk to these Hollywood people, and the next day I will be in the hood with my flag, with my swag, with my Puerto Rican slang.”
Salsa Steps and Soul Language
The star even learned salsa dancing for the project, taking classes with friends. “At least I know the basics, so if I get drunk I could dance the whole night,” he joked. For him, the movement is less about polished steps and more about feeling. “I like to dance because I feel the music. It’s like a body language, a soul language.”
Bad Bunny also stepped into the role of conductor for his salsa band. “More than a leader, I feel like a person who has joined this group of people, to give shape to this orchestra,” he said, adding that watching the musicians thrive made the experience feel like a dream realized.
Passing Down the Sound
Traditional Puerto Rican sounds are central to the artist’s vision for the future. He told i-D he senses a renewed energy around plena and bomba among young people on the island. “Puerto Ricans are looking for how to move forward, how to keep ourselves alive. And with all that is happening now, it’s something that will continue to grow. I can feel it in the air.”
For Bad Bunny, avoiding the U.S. wasn’t just about safety, it was also about creating space where Puerto Rican culture and music could flourish on its own terms.
