We analyze Bad Bunny’s references in his new album ‘Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’

Bad Bunny premiered his new album ‘Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’ on October 13. In just one day, the Puerto Rican has become the most listened to album on Spotify so far this year. In it, Bad Bunny returns to his trap and hip hop beginnings and gives us many references to pop culture, music and also his own life. Let’s analyze them in detail.

The song ‘Nadie sabe’, with which Bad Bunny opens the album is a reflection on fame and money where the artist mentions universal references such as Laura Bozzo, renowned Peruvian presenter, and sports figures such as Ayrton Senna, Brazilian Formula 1 racer; Randy Arozarena, Cuban-Mexican baseball player and Carlos Arroyo, the Puerto Rican basketball player who led his team to beat the United States in the 2004 Olympic Games. He also pays tribute to important names in the genre, such as Tego Calderón, whom he mentions and references several times throughout the album, while asking not to be compared to Don Omar and Daddy Yankee.

‘Monaco’, one of the most important tracks on the album is also full of references and none of them are wasted. The song is built around the sample “Hier encore” (1964) by Charles Aznavour, one of the great composers and geniuses of French song. A sample that has also been reversioned by musical figures such as Julio Iglesias.

In the music video, directed by Stillz, where he talks about luxury, ostentation, ambition and his b-side, Bad Bunny coincides with Al Pacino in a restaurant. From Formula 1 with Verstappen and Checo Pérez to Eladio Carrión, LeBron James, Leonardo Di Caprio, Messi or Maradona, the singer compares himself with all these figures.

Even Bad Bunny’s loves are part of the album. References to his rumored current partner, Kendall Jenner, are clear, especially in the song ‘Fina’, in which he collaborates with Young Miko and includes a sample of a reggaeton classic, “Pa que retocen” by Tego Calderón. “To’ el mundo habla, pero estбn de espectador. Ey, ey, se preguntan como nos comunicamos. Ey, mejor ni les contamos…” (“Hey, hey, they wonder how we communicate. Hey, hey, we better not even tell them…”), says Bad Bunny, including himself in the conversation that prevails around the world about how the model and the singer understand each other. In the song ‘Teléfono Nuevo’, he also includes a verse that says: “Ella es de revista, tiene porte ‘e modelo. Bajen la Mцet, que ella no bebe Modelo…”(“She’s from a magazine, she looks like a model. Put down the Möet, she don’t drink Modelo…”, and even mentions his sister-in-law Kylie Jenner.

In the song ‘VOU 787’, Bad Bunny samples Madonna herself with her mythical song ‘Vogue’. Also, in the track the Puerto Rican boasts his California lifestyle: “California Love, ando por el West Coast”(“California Love, I’m on the West Coast”), says the line, referring to 2Pac’s classic with Dre from the 90s.

‘Mercedes Carota’ presents a darker tone and begins with a mention of actor Ray Liotta and his prison suit in the movie “Good Fellas”. It continues with mentions of Michael Jordan, Joe Biden and reggaeton legend Hector “El Father”. And in ‘Los Pits‘, Bad Bunny mentions the most viral session of 2023, Shakira’s Bzrp Session.

Frankie Boy appears in the intro of “NO ME QUIERO CASAR”. with a few verses from Hey Girl: “Y si tu man te quiere parar, dile que no / Modélale y corre a la disco, yeah / Porque tu man, ah, porque tu man, ah / Porque tu, porque tu, porque tu.” On ‘Acho PR’,  Bad Bunny samples ‘Chévere’ by Julio Voltio ft. Notch. It is a trap song that reminds us of Bad Bunny’s beginnings, and that he shares with three big artists of the genre such as Arcángel, De La Ghetto and Ñengo Flow. In the track, he thanks his ex-girlfriend. “Gracias, Dios, por poner en mi camino a Jan, a Noah y a Gabriela”(“Thank you, God, for putting Jan, Noah and Gabriela in my path,”) he says.

Overall, the album produced by Tainy, MAG y La Paciencia is an hour and a half of pop culture and music references, and electrifying lyrics that elevate Bad Bunny to a new stage of his career, much more professional and curated if possible. Each track is a perfect chapter in the album’s rich narrative.