In the heart of Puerto Rico’s capital, a new photobook capturing the meteoric rise of global superstar Bad Bunny has been quietly making waves. Yet, as fans flock to San Juan to celebrate the artist’s residency and glimpse behind the curtain of his extraordinary life, tragedy has cast a shadow over the festivities. The release of 'Bad Bunny by STILLZ'—an intimate, raw collection of Polaroid images—coincided with the shocking death of a New York tourist, Kevin Mares, who was visiting the island to attend one of Bad Bunny’s concerts.
Photographer STILLZ, a close friend and longtime collaborator of Bad Bunny (whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), has unveiled a limited-edition photobook chronicling the reggaeton icon’s journey from 2019 through 2025. According to Hypebeast, every page of the book is a window into the chaotic, thrilling, and sometimes vulnerable world of a superstar on tour. What sets this collection apart isn’t just the subject matter—it’s the medium: every image was shot on rare, expired Polaroid film from the 1970s, lending each photograph a haunting, nostalgic quality that digital simply can’t replicate.
“With the pair’s close friendship as a guiding sentiment of the art book, the book offers as close to an ‘unfiltered’ look as we can get at Benito’s life on the road,” Hypebeast reports. The images reveal candid backstage moments, electrifying on-stage performances, and the quieter, in-between spaces that fans rarely see. There’s an immediacy to the shots—a sense that you’re right there, breathing in the energy and exhaustion of the tour circuit alongside Bad Bunny and his inner circle.
But for fans eager to get their hands on a copy, there’s a catch. As of August 17, 2025, 'Bad Bunny by STILLZ' is available exclusively in Puerto Rico, and only for the duration of Bad Bunny’s current residency, 'No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí.' The book can be purchased at Plaza las Americas and Coliseo de Puerto Rico, venues that have become pilgrimage sites for fans during this celebratory run. The exclusivity has only heightened demand, with some fans making the journey to Puerto Rico specifically for a chance to own this unique piece of music history.
Yet, amid the celebration and cultural pride, the island was rocked by devastating news. On August 10, 2025, 25-year-old Kevin Mares, a tourist from New York who had traveled to Puerto Rico to attend a Bad Bunny concert, was fatally shot in the historic neighborhood of La Perla, San Juan. According to ABC News, the incident unfolded around 4 a.m. after a heated discussion escalated nearby. Mares, officials said, “had no relation to the altercation” but was struck and killed when gunfire erupted. Two other individuals were wounded in the shooting.
The suspect, 37-year-old Kalel Jorell Martinez Bristol, was quickly apprehended and charged with first-degree murder. The Puerto Rico Department of Justice confirmed to ABC News that Martinez Bristol also faces two additional charges under Puerto Rico Weapons Law: possession and carrying of a firearm without a license, and discharging and pointing a firearm. The suspect is currently being held on an $800,000 bond and is scheduled for a court hearing on August 28, 2025.
For Mares’ family, the loss is immeasurable. In an interview with WABC, his parents described Kevin as a “lovely son” who cared deeply for his family and friends. Though his parents are originally from Mexico, Kevin and his younger brother were both born and raised in Queens, New York. “He cared about all of us, his family, his friends. He has a lot of friends who’s really going to miss him, too,” his mother, Sandra Mares, told WABC. The family held a memorial service for Kevin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, gathering loved ones to remember a young man whose life was cut tragically short.
Justice Secretary Lourdes L. Gomez Torres addressed the public’s anguish and frustration, vowing that Mares’ death “will not go unanswered.” In a statement released to ABC News, Torres said, “The Justice Department will persevere so that the accused faces the judicial process with the full weight of the law.” For many on the island, the case has become a flashpoint—an urgent reminder of the challenges Puerto Rico faces in ensuring safety for both residents and the millions of visitors who come each year for its vibrant culture, music, and hospitality.
The juxtaposition of joy and sorrow is hard to ignore. On one hand, the release of 'Bad Bunny by STILLZ' represents a celebration of Puerto Rican talent and resilience—a testament to the island’s outsized influence on global music and culture. On the other, the tragedy in La Perla is a stark reminder of the real-world dangers that can lurk even in places meant for joy and celebration.
For fans of Bad Bunny, the photobook is more than a collection of images—it’s a chronicle of a movement. Since his breakthrough in 2019, Bad Bunny has become one of the most influential voices in Latin music, using his platform to challenge stereotypes, advocate for social justice, and champion Puerto Rican identity. STILLZ’s lens, with its grainy Polaroid textures and unvarnished intimacy, captures not just the performer but the person—the highs and lows, the camaraderie, and the solitude that come with global fame.
But for the Mares family, the trip to Puerto Rico was meant to be a joyful pilgrimage, a chance to connect with the music and culture that Kevin loved. Instead, it ended in heartbreak and loss. Their grief has resonated far beyond Queens, sparking conversations about safety, justice, and the responsibilities of communities to protect both locals and visitors.
As the 'No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí' residency continues, fans will keep lining up at Plaza las Americas and Coliseo de Puerto Rico, hoping to snag a copy of STILLZ’s photobook and, perhaps, to catch a glimpse of Bad Bunny himself. But the memory of Kevin Mares lingers—a reminder that even in moments of celebration, the world can change in an instant.
In Puerto Rico, the beats of reggaeton echo through the streets, and the images of Bad Bunny’s journey flicker in Polaroid hues. Yet, beneath the surface, the island grapples with grief, resilience, and the ongoing search for justice—a story as complex and compelling as any captured on film.
