Rosalía Responds to Backlash Over Bad Bunny Comments, Says Remarks Were ‘Taken Out of Context’
Rosalía has addressed the criticism surrounding remarks she made about Bad Bunny and her decision to sing in multiple languages on her upcoming album Lux, saying that her words were “taken out of context.”
The controversy began following her appearance on The New York Times’ Popcast, where the Spanish artist discussed the linguistic experimentation on Lux, which reportedly features songs in 14 languages, including Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, English, Japanese, Italian, and Arabic.
During the podcast, hosts referenced a past interview with Bad Bunny in which the Puerto Rican superstar was asked whether he ever worried that non-Spanish-speaking audiences might not understand his lyrics. Bad Bunny had replied, playfully singing, “I don’t care!”
When asked the same question, Rosalía offered a contrasting perspective. “I think I’m the opposite of Benito,” she said. “I think I care. I care so much that definitely I’m going to make the effort to sing in a language that’s not my language. It’s not my comfort zone.”
She elaborated that the multilingual scope of Lux was an artistic experiment meant to build bridges with listeners across cultures: “There’s 13 languages, I hope there’s a little something, or hopefully there’s translations.”
The comments quickly drew criticism online, with some users accusing Rosalía of appearing dismissive toward Latin identity and the significance of Bad Bunny’s choice to sing exclusively in Spanish.
One viral TikTok post argued that “Bad Bunny sings only in Spanish because he’s standing up for his culture, something you cannot relate to because, what? You are not a Latina, you’re a Spaniard.” The user went on to suggest that Rosalía has “benefited from Latino culture” without defending it publicly.
The debate reignited familiar tensions over Rosalía’s position as a Spanish artist working within genres rooted in Latin America and the African diaspora, including flamenco-inflected reggaetón and dembow. In a now-deleted comment on that TikTok video, Rosalía directly responded, writing (in Spanish): “Hey, I understand your point of view but I think it’s being taken out of context.”
She emphasized her respect for Bad Bunny and the broader Latin music community, describing him as “a great colleague” whose work she admires. “I have nothing but love and respect for him,” she wrote. “Through knowing him, I understand better why he does his projects the way he does.”
Rosalía also addressed the emotional undertone of the criticism, noting her gratitude toward Latin American audiences. “I’ve always been grateful to Latin America because, despite coming from another place, the Latin people have always supported me throughout my career,” she wrote. “I empathize with what you’re explaining. Precisely for that reason, it saddens me that this is being misinterpreted because that wasn’t the intention.”
Rosalía’s comments on Popcast were intended to reflect her approach to Lux as an artist navigating language, communication, and cultural connection in a global music landscape. While her remark contrasting herself with Bad Bunny highlighted differing artistic philosophies, it was widely shared online without that full context.
The singer has long blended linguistic and cultural influences in her music, from the flamenco-inspired El Mal Querer to the experimental reggaetón and avant-pop textures of Motomami (2022). With Lux, her first studio album in three years, she has expanded that palette to include 14 languages, one of the most linguistically diverse albums by a mainstream pop artist to date.
Despite the controversy, anticipation for Lux remains high. The album, her fourth full-length release, continues Rosalía’s evolution as a global pop innovator who merges classical training with experimental pop frameworks.
