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folklore unfolding live

Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico residency: How 'El Conejo Malo' turned El Choli into the island's biggest block party


What unfolded was history, patriotism, and pure fiesta inspired in millennials' "party de marquesina"


Image© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Shirley GomezSenior Writer
AUGUST 22, 2025 4:42 PM EDT

Bad Bunny's 30-show residency at San Juan's Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot wasn't just a concert series; it was a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon. Over back-to-back sold-out nights, El Conejo Malo turned El Choli into a living, breathing tribute to Puerto Rican identity, music, and joy. What unfolded was history, patriotism, and pure fiesta inspired in millennials' "party de marquesina."

The residency's heartbeat was the roar of fans chanting in unison. One tradition stood out, before launching into his ode "Voy a Llevarte Pa' PR," Bad Bunny invited a fan or celebrity to kick things off with the line "¡Acho, PR es otra cosa!" That simple phrase became a rallying cry of Boricua pride, electrifying the arena every night.

Bad Bunny performs onstage during "No Me Quiero Ir De Aqui" Residencia En El Choli at Coliseo de Puerto Rico © Kevin Mazur
By the time Bad Bunny wrapped up each three-hour show, "No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí" filled the screens.

From a stylish abuela dubbed "la doña del Choli" belting it with sass to Penélope Cruz shouting it from the VIP casita, each moment felt like a piece of Puerto Rican folklore unfolding live. Even Kylian Mbappé joined in from the crowd, proving that the chant's magic was irresistible no matter where you're from.

San Benito Fest: The Street Party Outside

The energy wasn't confined to the arena. Outside, the scene became "San Benito Fest" – a free-for-all carnival where fans without tickets still got to bask in the vibe. Food trucks served alcapurrias and piraguas, DJs spun reggaetón classics, and strangers became family over domino tables and Medalla beers.

The energy wasn't confined to the arena.© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The energy wasn't confined to the arena.

Brands tapped into the fun. For instance, RITZ launched its Salty Club, a playful photo booth where guests left with limited-edition cracker boxes featuring artwork inspired by the residency. Wendy’s cooled the crowd with Frostys, while L’Oréal offered quick glam touch-ups for fans ready to dance into the night. Exclusive merch drops with local designers added to the frenzy, and the month-long street festival became more than just a party. It doubled as a love letter to Puerto Rican culture, leaving an imprint on the island’s economic and cultural impact while spotlighting the vibrancy of its communities.

At the RITZ Salty Club, guests could take home a limited-edition cracker box featuring artwork nodding to the residency.© RITZ / Agency
At the RITZ Salty Club, guests could take home a limited-edition cracker box featuring artwork nodding to the residency.

La Casita Stage: A Home on El Choli's Floor

Inside, the stage itself was a work of art. At the center stood "La Casita," a full-sized Puerto Rican home complete with a bar, which special guests could enjoy with comfort and full amenities. 

Bad Bunny danced on its rooftop, hosted a marquesina party from its porch, and delivered emotional declarations of love for his island: "Esta es mi casa, y esta isla es mi cultura." Seeing their heritage spotlighted so vividly for many in the diaspora was profoundly moving.

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Star Power and Surprise Guests

Each night brought new surprises. Reggaetón icons like Jowell & Randy, salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa, and rising stars like Young Miko joined the stage. Meanwhile, the casita's VIP area became the ultimate clubhouse. From LeBron James grooving to Ricky Martin and his twin sons singing from the porch, the cameos turned every show into a unique experience. Fans never knew who they might spot – Santiago Matías, creator of "La Casa de Alofoke," singer and songwriter Becky G, or PR royalty, former Miss Universe, Zuleyka Rivera, on stage.

Former Miss Universe’s in Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny concert, her chat and twerking had fans going crazy© IG: Zuleyka Rivera
Former Miss Universe’s in Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny concert, her chat and twerking had fans going crazy

Viral Moments and Emotional Highs

Bad Bunny's personal connection to fans added to the magic. Whether he was helping a fan fix her outfit mid-song, filming selfies on someone's phone, or debuting tear-jerking new tracks like "Alambre Púa," Benito made the shows feel intimate despite the 18,000-strong crowd.

Social media lit up nightly with clips of surprises, from live chickens clucking on stage to Austin Butler and Jon Hamm vibing like a teenager. But the most unforgettable moments came when the crowd's voices drowned out the music, until Benito teared up, visibly overwhelmed by the love.

Austin Butler continues to promote his new film with Zoe Kravitz and Bad Bunny 'Caught Stealing'© XNY/Star Max
Austin Butler wasn’t trying to steal the spotlight, he was just panicking on the inside.

A Residency That Made History

By the time Bad Bunny wrapped up each three-hour show, "No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí" filled the screens, a phrase that summed up exactly how fans felt.

"No Me Quiero Ir De Aqui" Residencia En El Choli, united generations, and amplified Puerto Rican pride© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
"No Me Quiero Ir De Aqui" Residencia En El Choli, united generations, and amplified Puerto Rican pride

Bad Bunny's residency in Puerto Rico will forever be a cultural movement. It united generations, amplified Puerto Rican pride, and reminded the world that Puerto Rico is indeed "otra cosa." 

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