A Cuban TikToker known as La Beche (@_labeche) has gained viral attention for her critical response to Bad Bunny's song "Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii" from his latest album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." In her video, La Beche challenges the artist's perspective on Puerto Rico's identity loss, drawing comparisons with Cuba's reality.
"If you want to know what Puerto Rico might have been like, take a trip to Cuba," she suggests, highlighting the shared flag but contrasting the dire state of Cuban schools, streets, and hospitals ravaged by communism. "You've lost no identity," she asserts to the artist.
In her video, La Beche expresses astonishment at Bad Bunny's narrative, which addresses issues like gentrification, displacement, and cultural erosion in Puerto Rico, a U.S. unincorporated territory with commonwealth status and self-governance.
La Beche argues that without its connection to the United States, Puerto Rico "would have become another Cuba," emphasizing the freedoms and opportunities Puerto Ricans enjoy that Cubans lack, such as traveling globally with a U.S. passport, studying at American universities, having year-round access to food, and living in a democratic system, far removed from dictatorship.
Bad Bunny's album has sparked significant debate due to its political and social themes, amassing over 150 million streams. "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" diverges from traditional reggaeton, instead exploring Puerto Rican folk music elements like plena, salsa, and bomba. In "Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii," Bad Bunny voices concerns over Puerto Rico's overdevelopment, likening it to Hawaii's gentrification post-U.S. annexation.
La Beche has faced criticism on TikTok for adopting a "Puerto Rican accent," despite being Cuban. However, in her other videos, she maintains a distinctly Cuban accent, sparking discussions about identity and cultural influence on social media.
The controversy underscores the stark differences between Cuba and Puerto Rico, two Caribbean territories with contrasting political and social histories. While Bad Bunny articulates the concerns of a Puerto Rican generation striving to preserve their identity, La Beche offers a critical viewpoint from the Cuban reality, where the fight for freedom and opportunities bears a vastly different significance.
Understanding the Cultural Debate Between Puerto Rico and Cuba
Why did La Beche criticize Bad Bunny's song?
La Beche criticized Bad Bunny's song for its perspective on Puerto Rico's identity loss, comparing it to the harsh realities of Cuba under communism, suggesting Puerto Rico benefits from its ties with the U.S.
What are the freedoms Puerto Ricans enjoy that La Beche mentioned?
La Beche highlighted freedoms such as the ability to travel globally with a U.S. passport, studying in American universities, constant access to food, and living in a democratic environment.
How has Bad Bunny's album impacted listeners?
Bad Bunny's album has sparked widespread discussion with its focus on political and social issues, moving away from traditional reggaeton to incorporate Puerto Rican folk sounds.