Cruz Bonlarron Martínez

While it still remains to be seen if ‘LEGENDADDY’ will cement his legacy as a symbol of cultural nationalism, it’s undeniable that the world will forever associate Daddy Yankee with la bandera monoestrellada that’s ubiquitous throughout the islands, across the diaspora, and in reggaetón clubs worldwide.

By embarking on his quixotic crusade against the corporate turn of the genre, Residente reconnects listeners with the insurgent roots of reggaetón and reminds us that the genre can be a vehicle for social change—not just for profit.

By only speaking out when it serves him and openly praising far-right politicians, Balvin has aligned himself with the elite instead of those fighting to build a better world.

As protests grip Colombia, old wounds of structural racism have resurfaced through the criminalization of Indigenous and Black communities.