Bad Bunny 2023 Grammy presentation: Key elements of the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

Appearing among the crowd, alongside an entourage of performers wearing two-piece folk dresses, accessorized with La Amapola, a flower to wear in her hair, danced down to the stage to the rhythm of a Plena, one of Puerto Rico’s native genres, born in Loíza, a town, and municipality on the northeastern coast of the Caribbean island.

The star also brought the Cabezudos, a century-old tradition full head puppets made by artisans that represent the island’s diversity, depict folk characters, and honor legendary figures during the Fiestas of San Sebastian Street.

“It was very exciting and beautiful,” folklorist Sheila Osorio, founder of the on-the-beach dance school, Taller Nzambi, told HOLA! USA about the presentation. “I love when our culture, dance, and first rhythms are valued and that other people learn about our roots and our evolution.”

“Each generation bring music and new traditions and that makes us different,” Osorio added.

Right after, lights began to dim, and Bad Bunny slowly began singing “Después De La Playa,” when suddenly, drums, horns, and the güira took over the arena. From zero to 100, the crowd began to experience the unavoidable electricity Latinos feel while listening to the urban version of merengue, called merengue mambo, merengue urbano, or simply mambo.

The exact banger and melody that made Taylor Swift move her hips left and right and made Mary J. Blige clap and smile as we have never seen them before. A merengue-infused song composed in part by Dominican musician Dahian el Apechao.

Bad Bunny’s 2023 Grammy presentation was indeed a win for the culture and should be applauded despite everyone’s musical taste.