The evolution of reggaeton over the past several years has been striking. The genre, once associated with a hyper-masculine image, is broadening its appeal as more women enter the scene and male artists move away from the most aggressive expressions of masculinity. Some artists even explore feminist themes, or perhaps postfeminist ideas, within their craft.
The standout example in this shift is Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny. As his latest album arrives on October 13, this piece reviews his career and lyrics through a feminist lens, while acknowledging the broader cultural conversation around gender and sexuality in reggaeton.
Bad Bunny’s evolving identity and gender narratives
Bad Bunny has crafted an image and a set of performances that, on the surface, depart from the genre’s older stereotypes of hypermasculinity and male dominance. The artist experiments with nail polish, dresses, and other fashion choices traditionally labeled as feminine, sometimes appearing in videos that underscore these looks.
Beyond aesthetic choices, the work often ventures into territory that challenges conventional gender norms within reggaeton. The lyrics and stage presence frequently celebrate women’s empowerment while calling out homophobia and transphobia. This approach positions Bad Bunny not only as a boundary-preventer of the genre’s norms but also as someone who expands ideas of femininity and masculinity in reggaeton.
In several of his most popular tracks, Bad Bunny elevates women’s agency and speaks to sexual freedom. The effect is a loosening of traditional male-dominant dynamics in relationships. In the track “Andrea” from the 2022 album A Summer Without You, the artist addresses violence against women in a way that adds critical depth to the conversation:
“Everything has become complicated / As if being a woman is a sin / … / Hey, she doesn’t want flowers, she just wants them to wilt / So they don’t whistle at her when she buys bread / … / Respect it and never take it away / … / ‘Cause he’s the boss, the boss / And even though he’s almost falling apart inside / He grooms himself and looks like a bastard.”
These lines highlight the kinds of pressures and harms women face, touching on systemic and personal levels. They point to the broader issue of gender-based violence and the unsafe expectations that persist in many social contexts, from family dynamics to public institutions.
“Andrea” was not the first track to spotlight women’s struggles. In the 2020 single “Yo Perreo Sola” from the album YHLQMDLG, the artist advocates for women’s autonomy and the right to dance freely, with lines that celebrate independence and self-expression. The message here resonates with audiences who value consent, agency, and the power of choosing one’s own path on the dance floor and beyond.
Tensions between sexuality and empowerment
At times, Bad Bunny’s material contains tensions between feminist messages and lyrics that seem to objectify women. This duality is evident in some collaborations and tracks released in 2023 and beyond, where provocative phrases coexist with calls for respect and equality.
For instance, the collaboration “La Jumpa” includes lines that can read as celebratory of nightlife and flirtation while inviting critical reflection on how women are portrayed. Across his discography, narratives about female empowerment often appear alongside verses that some listeners interpret as reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Another example appears in the track from A Summer Without You where the chorus and verses touch on dating, autonomy, and the complexity of modern relationships. The tension between desire, respect, and control serves as a lens to examine how women are portrayed and how audiences respond to these depictions.
In the track from Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow, certain lines emphasize self-assertion in the face of judgment and expectation. The juxtaposition of empowerment with sensationalized imagery raises questions about how pop culture negotiates gender norms and what audiences take away about respect and equality.
Overall, misogynistic or sexualized language persists in some moments, reminding listeners that music can mirror ongoing cultural debates about objectification, sexual freedom, and respect. These debates are not exclusive to reggaeton; they appear across popular music globally, underscoring the need for critical listening and ongoing dialogue about how artistry intersects with social values.
Postfeminism in reggaeton
The blend of feminist and misogynist elements in a single artist’s output can be explored through a postfeminist lens. Postfeminism describes a cultural moment in which feminist progress coexists with residual or paradoxical attitudes toward gender, sexuality, and power.
Within this frame, visibility of feminist ideas and advances in sexual equality intersect with more conservative views on gender roles and family. Scholars like Angela McRobbie have discussed how some audiences perceive feminism as less urgent or necessary in a context where equality is imagined to have already been achieved.
From this perspective, Bad Bunny emerges as a figure shaped by a postfeminist milieu. His public persona often includes flirtation with feminine or androgynous aesthetics, hinting at a more fluid sense of masculinity. Yet traces of traditional sexism persist in parts of his catalog, illustrating how contemporary artists navigate mixed cultural signals about gender and sexuality.
Despite these complexities, Bad Bunny remains a globally influential artist whose work can illuminate issues of gender violence and women’s rights. The ongoing conversation about misogyny and empowerment in his music invites audiences to maintain a critical stance while appreciating the artistry and cultural impact of one of reggaeton’s most listened-to voices.
This discussion reflects broader debates in music and society about how popular culture portrays gender, power, and autonomy, and why listeners should demand accountability from artists who address these topics in provocative ways.