Bad Bunny is one of the most popular and influential artists in the world, known for his innovative and diverse music that blends reggaeton, trap, rock, pop, and other genres. But does he speak English?
The answer is not so simple. While Bad Bunny is not fluent in English, he has shown his multilingual talents in many ways, from incorporating English and Spanish lyrics in his songs to connecting with a diverse range of listeners to collaborating with English-speaking artists.
In this article, we will explore how Bad Bunny uses language as a tool for expression, communication, and creativity.
Bad Bunny’s Multilingual Talents
One of the most distinctive features of Bad Bunny’s music is his use of both English and Spanish lyrics in his songs. He often switches between the two languages, sometimes even within the same sentence, creating a bilingual flow that reflects his Puerto Rican identity and culture.
For example, in his hit song “I Like It” with Cardi B and J Balvin, he raps in both languages: “Yo soy el que rompe la disco / The one that break the disco / Soy el que mueve la’ nalga’ / The one that move the booty”. By mixing English and Spanish, Bad Bunny not only showcases his language skills but also appeals to a wider audience that can relate to his bilingualism.
Bad Bunny’s use of language also demonstrates his ability to connect with different listeners across the world. He has said that he makes music for everyone, regardless of their language or nationality. He has also expressed his appreciation for his fans who support him even if they don’t understand his lyrics.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, he said: “I always try to communicate with my fans through my music. I don’t care if they don’t understand what I’m saying. They feel it. They feel the flow. They feel my spirit.” Bad Bunny’s music transcends language barriers and reaches people on an emotional level.
Language Barrier: Can Bad Bunny Speak English?
Despite his multilingual talents, Bad Bunny is not fluent in English. He has admitted that he struggles with the language and that he prefers to speak in Spanish. In an interview with Billboard, he said: “I don’t speak English well. I can understand some things, but I’m not good at it.” He also revealed that he learned some English from watching wrestling shows as a kid, but that he never studied it formally.
However, Bad Bunny’s lack of fluency in English does not stop him from communicating and connecting with his English-speaking fans. He has made efforts to learn more of the language and to improve his pronunciation and vocabulary. He has also used technology, such as Google Translate and voice assistants, to help him communicate in interviews and social media. For example, in an interview with GQ, he used Siri to translate some of his answers from Spanish to English.
Bad Bunny has also shown his willingness to speak in English when necessary or appropriate. For instance, when he won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album in 2021, he delivered part of his acceptance speech in English: “Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. This is incredible. Thank you to all my fans all over the world… I’m very happy.” He also thanked God and his team in Spanish.
Bilingual Performances, Interviews, and Collaborations
Bad Bunny’s language skills have also been showcased in his performances, interviews, and collaborations with other artists. He has performed some of his songs in both English and Spanish versions, such as “Mia” with Drake and “Un Día (One Day)” with J Balvin, Dua Lipa, and Tainy. He has also performed some songs entirely in English, such as “Callaíta” at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and “Booker T” at the 2021 Royal Rumble.
Bad Bunny has also given some interviews in English, such as with James Corden on The Late Late Show and with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. In these interviews, he spoke about his music, his career, and his personal life, sometimes using humor and gestures to convey his message.
Moreover, Bad Bunny has collaborated with many English-speaking artists from different genres and backgrounds, such as Drake, Cardi B, J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Rosalía, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Bomba Estéreo, Aventura, and more. These collaborations have resulted in some of the most successful and acclaimed songs of his career, as well as expanding his musical horizons and influences.
