The Night Everyone Became Puerto Rican
The month of September marks not only National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) but also the anniversary (September 20, 2017) of Hurricane Maria and its devastating impact on Puerto Rico. Eight years after the hurricane made landfall, the island continues to be affected by its aftermath.
On September 20, 2025 — the anniversary of Hurricane Maria — Bad Bunny closed out his sold-out 30-show residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As of September 24, 2025, Bad Bunny’s unprecedented residency, No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí (I Don’t Want to Leave Here), on the island has generated an estimated $713 million — more than triple what was expected — according to a study by Gaither International. The residency attracted about half a million people, provided a significant boost to various sectors of the Puerto Rican economy, including tourism, hospitality, and local businesses, especially during the island’s tourism off-season. Direct ticket sales also contributed an additional $97 million to the total impact.
The finale was streamed globally via Amazon and Twitch and was a celebration of Boricua identity and culture. The concert also made history as the most-watched single artist performance on Amazon Music to date.
Bad Bunny has been vocal about why he skipped a US tour in the mainland, citing fears that ICE might target his fans at shows. While Puerto Rico faces its own struggles with ICE, particularly against the Dominican community, his month-long run on the island went uninterrupted, giving space for pure joy, pride, and unity.
Everyone felt Puerto Rican for the night. From salsa to bomba to reggaeton, the show was a musical journey of the island, showcasing jíbaro roots with modern-day rhythms. Appearances from icons like Ivy Queen, Ricky Martin, and Jowell y Randy solidified its legendary status. Marc Anthony was the last guest to join Bad Bunny on stage and closed the show with a performance of “Preciosa” — a song dedicated to Puerto Rico that he hasn’t sung in 20 years.
Puerto Rico was at the center of the world stage.
For those who were there and even for those streaming far away, it’s clear that there’s no place like home, especially when home is Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny’s residency proved that the island’s greatest export isn’t just music. It’s a spirit of resilience so powerful that it can turn a day of mourning and trauma into a night of triumph, and in the process, make everyone want to wave the flag.
🇵🇷 For one night, everyone became Puerto Rican. And they get another chance to wear guayaberas and pavas again on February 8, 2026, at the Super Bowl LX halftime show.
