The last two weeks have been a testament to the power of coming together in peaceful protest and perreo. For latino artists, it was also a beautifully timely awakening and reminder that music, and the idealistic (often unanticipated) platform that can come along with it, can and should be used in critical times of potential historic change. Exhibit A: The #RickyRenuncia movement that followed el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo’s 889-page report. Rising and veteran artists alike came together to organize, amplify, and actually take to the streets to champion and fight alongside their compratiotas and followers.
The music industry as a whole can learn a lot from this moment. Though there’s still a lot of work to do, in Puerto Rico and beyond, this small win is worth celebrating.
Here’s how a few artists reacted to the news that Ricky Renunció:
Bad Bunny
Callaito, pero pa’ expresarse es atrevido. As he so classily said in a tweet, “Puerto Ricoooo Punñeta!!!!!!”
PJ Sin Suela
Pure joy, true inciter of FOMO.
Guaynaa
Mamarre, mamarre, mamarre.
Lyanno
Did your eye also go straight to the “Colonialism is a Crime” sign?
Marc Anthony
Ah yes, quite the opportune moment for a selfie.
Zion
Again, why not I guess!
El mas cabrón. Between planning for this morning’s national protest in la Milla de Oro and calling up all his friends to follow suit, here he is taking a moment to take it all in.
Daddy Yankee
Clarito y con calma.