One of the things I'd never thought I'd say is that my favorite new female empowerment anthem comes from Bad Bunny [1]. "Yo Perreo Sola" has not only become the go-to jam for women all over, but the video, released today, continues to challenge gender roles by giving women the power to make their own decisions and feel respected. It also breaks boundaries by normalizing men exploring their feminine side.
Directed by Stillz and Bad Bunny — although he used his real name, Benito Martínez for the credits — the video features Bad Bunny in numerous drag looks, and let me tell you, he looks fantastic! The transformation includes perfectly blended makeup, wigs, jewelry that would make the Queen jealous, and outfits that I'm ready to copy to go a perrear en la sala — until we can safely go out to party.
Another aspect of the video I really loved is that one of Bad Bunny's drag characters is living her best life and looks incredible, while embracing her body hair and not being self-conscious that she is wearing a sleeveless outfit. Adding to that, toward the end of the song, more women are featured on screen, and perhaps for the first time in a reggaetón video, we see a diverse cast with different body types, ages, styles, and ethnicities.
Bad Bunny tried to be as inclusive as he could be of all women, while delivering a song that gives us many "Yo Quiero Bailar" by Ivy Queen vibes, lyric-wise. He describes a woman who goes out to have a good time dancing, yet she doesn't fall for cheap one-liners and would much rather "perrear sola" than with someone she doesn't feel comfortable with. Nevertheless, she doesn't shy away from meeting new people, as long as it's on her terms.
The video ends with the message "Si no quiere bailar contigo, respeta, ella perrea sola," which translates to "If she doesn't want to dance with you, respect her, she perrea alone."