One Small Step for Bad Bunny, One Giant Leap for the Latinx Community

After attending Coachella in 2022, I was overwhelmed with emotions and excitement. This festival tends to have that effect on people. Maybe it's the countless hours you spend on your feet, the exhaustion, the beautiful outfits, or the good music. Regardless of it all, there is always a trek to your car, the busses, or even your tent that ensues after every night.

After day 3, I sat there waiting in line for the bus that never seemed to arrive and I told everyone around me, “Next year, Bad Bunny is going to headline,” this meant that I would have to return to the Indio Desert and I would do so willingly.

When Coachella announced the performers for 2023 earlier this year, it was clear that I had guessed correctly and that meant only one thing. I booked my ticket, bought my outfits, and prepared for another tiring yet beautiful weekend in a desert surrounded by people I didn’t know.

I grew up with music, I love and listen to all types of genres from different periods and find an appreciation for all sounds. Although I do not have the money to attend all of the concerts and festivals I would like to, I have been fortunate enough to go to a few.

However, there is one artist that I am yet to see live. Their shows sell out and tickets resale for over $600. I could not bring myself to pay that amount for one person even if every bone in my body loved them. That artist is none other than, you guessed it, Bad Bunny himself.

For the past three to four years I have dreamt of meeting him. Seeing him live, and being only two feet away from him are all things I have already envisioned happening, it was only a matter of time. That time has come because next week I will attend weekend two of Coachella and I will finally see Bad Bunny live.

This is a big moment, not only for myself but for fans and the Latinx community everywhere. Bad Bunny is the first Latin artist to headline at Coachella, he is representing all of us. He continues to elevate our community and share our music with all those interested in listening and for that, I will be forever grateful to him. I find it beautiful when crowds gather to sing along and I find it crazier that oftentimes so many of these individuals are not Spanish speakers but simply fans who have learned and bonded with the sounds and the music that Bad Bunny has produced.

This year Coachella has fully attempted to showcase the diversity and beauty within the music industry. We have Puerto Rican and Korean headliners, and artists from different backgrounds and ethnicities including Bjork from Iceland, Rosalia from Spain, Burna Boy from Nigeria, and Jai Paul a British-Indian Singer, which are just a few of many.  

The music industry is changing and with it so are we. While I have been a Bad Bunny fan since he guest-starred in Shakira’s and Jennifer Lopez’ Super Bowl performance back in 2020, many others have known him for far longer, and many continue to learn more of his music.

We are normalizing learning more about other cultures and their sound. We are appreciating good music for what it is and I find some beauty in that. Despite not knowing what the words mean we are simply enjoying it and enjoying one another.

I don't know where music will be tomorrow or in the next few years but I do know that we will find ways to appreciate it. Music will continue to change and what is considered popular will continue to be up to interpretation but that is the beauty in all of it. I am just glad we are getting some Latinx representation worldwide and that is something I hope to continue to witness.