As the final notes of “Preciosa” echoed through the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot on September 20, 2025, a wave of emotion swept over the crowd. Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, had just concluded his monumental 30-concert residency, “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí,” with a night that was as much a celebration as it was a moment of reflection for the island and its diaspora.
The finale, titled “Una Más,” was more than just the end of a historic run; it was a convergence of music, memory, and identity. The event commemorated the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, the devastating storm that struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, leaving an indelible mark on the island. According to the Associated Press, the hurricane caused an estimated 2,975 deaths and crippled the island’s electrical grid—a crisis that, as a recent U.S. Office of Inspector General report revealed, still lingers. The report, released just days before the concert, noted that 92% of approved reconstruction projects for the grid remain incomplete, with $3.7 billion in funds yet to be spent. “Over seven years after Hurricane Maria, FEMA does not know when Puerto Rico’s electrical grid will be completely rebuilt. The grid remains unstable, inadequate, and vulnerable to interruptions,” the report stated.
Against this backdrop, Bad Bunny’s final show became a rallying point for resilience and pride. The residency, which drew over 250,000 attendees according to Billboard, was not just a series of concerts but a cultural phenomenon that boosted the local economy and spotlighted Puerto Rico as a global entertainment destination. A study by Gaither International cited by the Associated Press estimated the economic impact at $733 million, with foreign visitors staying an average of nearly nine nights. Most came from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Spain, and about 70% of concertgoers were female, with an average age of 33.
Saturday’s show was broadcast worldwide, making history as the most watched single artist performance on Amazon Music to date. The livestream, available on the Amazon Music app, Twitch, and Prime Video, allowed fans across the globe to join in. But for Puerto Ricans living outside the island, this connection was especially poignant. In Connecticut, where 8% of the population is Puerto Rican, thousands gathered at watch parties in places like Matt D’s Bar & Grill, Humacao Restaurant Bar & Lounge, and The Diamond Club in Danbury. “It’s an honor to be part of how Puerto Ricans come together to celebrate moments like this,” Matthew J. Dacosta, owner of Matt D’s, said in a statement to El Nuevo Día. The venue was festooned with Puerto Rican symbols—güiros, flags, and even the iconic white plastic chairs from Bad Bunny’s album cover—while fans toasted with coquito and sang along.
For many in the diaspora, the concert was a bridge to their heritage. “It’s something that, honestly, I can’t explain,” Xiomara Colón Rivera told El Nuevo Día, describing the pride she felt watching the show from Hartford. Jovany Rivera, who helped organize the event, noted, “Growing up in public housing was different, and ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’ has helped me understand many historical things that in the diaspora we don’t know, because we are a bit distant.” The album, which inspired the residency, has become a reaffirmation of Puerto Rican identity and a source of healing nostalgia for those far from home.
Back at the Coliseo, Bad Bunny’s gratitude was palpable. “I have always had the same passion, love for what I’m doing. I promise I will never change. I love you, Puerto Rico. I love you, mom and dad,” he told the crowd, later adding, “It doesn’t matter what your issue or problem is, love will always be the solution.” According to Billboard, the night was packed with surprises. Marc Anthony, a fellow Puerto Rican icon, joined Bad Bunny for a stirring rendition of “Preciosa,” a song originally composed by Rafael Hernández Marín in 1937 and recorded by Anthony in 1999. “This is a song that I’ve sung before, but I haven’t sung it in over 20 years, and I wanted to sing it because I’m sure that you all not only know it, but you feel it,” Bad Bunny explained before the duet. The performance, which brought the audience to its feet, was a heartfelt homage to their homeland. As the Associated Press reported, the crowd responded with a chorus of “Yo te quiero, Puerto Rico!”—a declaration of love and unity.
The guest list for the night read like a who’s who of Puerto Rican music. RaiNao, Dei V, Ñengo Flow, Arcángel, De La Ghetto, and Jowell & Randy all took the stage, while Chuwi joined Bad Bunny for their track “Weltita”—a staple throughout the residency. Ñengo Flow paid tribute to Hurricane Maria’s victims by wearing a shirt emblazoned with “4,645,” referencing the estimated death toll from the disaster, as highlighted by El Nuevo Día. The visuals were as important as the music: fans wore T-shirts and waved flags bearing the number of lives lost, turning the arena into a living memorial.
The sense of community extended far beyond the venue. At the University of Connecticut, the Puerto Rican Student Association organized a viewing event attended by more than 70 students. “Here at UCONN there is a large community of Latinos who are fans of Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican culture, so we wanted to create a space to join him,” said Allondra Méndez Laroy, co-president of the association. The concert, and the residency as a whole, became a shared experience that united Puerto Ricans across generations and geographies.
Yet, not everyone could be there in person. Darlene Mercado, who traveled from New Jersey with her daughter, told the Associated Press of her disappointment after waiting eight hours online for tickets, only to come up empty. “This is not only the anniversary of the hurricane, but it’s also the anniversary of me no longer having cancer and it’s my birthday. We wanted to celebrate everything with a bang,” she said. The first nine concerts of the residency were reserved for Puerto Rico residents, but the rest welcomed fans from around the world, underscoring the global reach of Bad Bunny’s music.
Saturday’s concert also marked the start of something new. Bad Bunny and Amazon Music announced a multiyear initiative focused on education, disaster relief, and cultural empowerment for Puerto Rico. The partnership aims to strengthen the island’s economy and drive lasting change, according to a press release cited by Billboard. The artist’s influence, it seems, extends well beyond music.
As the crowd filed out into the San Juan night, one man shouted, “Yo soy boricua!”—to which others responded, “Pa’ que tú lo sepas!” It’s a call-and-response that says, in no uncertain terms, “I’m Puerto Rican, so you know it!” For a community shaped by struggle and resilience, the message was clear: they are still here, still proud, and still singing.
