SOY PEOR – BAD BUNNY
Bad Bunny, a name synonymous with the Latin trap movement, catapulted to international fame with his breakout hit “Soy Peor.” Released in 2016, this track marked a turning point in his career, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the genre. The song’s raw emotion, gritty lyrics, and innovative production resonated with a generation, earning it a place in the annals of Latin music history.
The Emergence of Bad Bunny
Before delving into the song itself, it’s essential to understand the context in which “Soy Peor” was released. Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio in Puerto Rico, was a relative newcomer to the music scene at the time. He had started gaining attention through SoundCloud, where he uploaded his early tracks. His unique style—a blend of trap, reggaeton, and Latin rhythms—quickly set him apart from other artists in the urban Latin music scene.
“Soy Peor” was the track that brought Bad Bunny from the underground to the mainstream. It was a bold declaration of his artistic identity, one that resonated with a wide audience. The song’s success was a testament to his talent and the growing influence of Latin trap, a genre that was still in its infancy but was beginning to make waves globally.
The Song’s Themes: Heartbreak and Defiance
At its core, “Soy Peor” is a song about heartbreak and transformation. The title, which translates to “I’m Worse,” sets the tone for the track. It’s a declaration of how a failed relationship has changed the protagonist—not for the better, but for the worse. However, there’s a sense of empowerment in this transformation. The lyrics convey a defiant acceptance of this darker, more hardened version of oneself.
Bad Bunny’s delivery is crucial to the song’s impact. His voice, drenched in autotune, carries a mixture of pain and aggression that perfectly encapsulates the song’s themes. The chorus—”Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti” (“Now I’m worse, now I’m worse because of you”)—is both a lament and a battle cry. It’s a line that has been quoted and memeified countless times, becoming a cultural touchstone.
Production and Musical Style
Musically, “Soy Peor” is a minimalist masterpiece. The production, handled by Bad Bunny himself along with DJ Luian and Mambo Kingz, is sparse yet powerful. The beat is slow and heavy, anchored by deep bass and eerie synths. This minimalist approach allows Bad Bunny’s voice and lyrics to take center stage, creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the song ends.
The song’s structure is unconventional, eschewing the typical verse-chorus format in favor of a more fluid, stream-of-consciousness style. This mirrors the emotional turbulence of the lyrics, giving the song a sense of spontaneity and rawness that is rare in mainstream music.
The Music Video: Visual Storytelling
The official music video for “Soy Peor,” directed by Fernando Lugo, complements the song’s themes with striking visuals. The video is dark and surreal, featuring Bad Bunny in a series of disjointed, nightmarish scenarios. There are scenes of him driving aimlessly, walking through abandoned streets, and even setting fire to a bouquet of roses—symbolizing the destruction of love and the emergence of a new, more cynical persona.
The video’s aesthetic is gritty and urban, reflecting the reality of life in Puerto Rico’s streets, where Bad Bunny draws much of his inspiration. It also includes symbolic imagery, such as the burning roses, which represent the end of a romantic relationship and the pain that follows. The visuals are stark and unfiltered, much like the song itself.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
“Soy Peor” was a watershed moment not just for Bad Bunny but for the Latin trap genre as a whole. The song became an anthem for a generation, particularly among young Latinos who found a voice for their own experiences of love, loss, and self-discovery in Bad Bunny’s music. Its success paved the way for Latin trap to enter the global mainstream, influencing countless artists and opening doors for the genre to flourish.
In the years since its release, “Soy Peor” has remained a staple in Bad Bunny’s discography. It is often cited as one of his most iconic tracks and is still a fan favorite at concerts. The song’s influence can be seen in the work of other Latin trap artists who have followed in Bad Bunny’s footsteps, using their music to explore complex emotions and social issues.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment in Latin Music
“Soy Peor” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon that captured the zeitgeist of its time. It marked the arrival of Bad Bunny as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry and helped to elevate Latin trap to new heights. With its raw emotion, innovative production, and powerful visuals, “Soy Peor” stands as a defining moment in both Bad Bunny’s career and the broader landscape of Latin music.
Lyrics:
[Intro]
Uh, uh, uh
¡Wuh!
[Pre-Chorus]
Salí jodí’o la última vez que en alguien yo confié (Oh, yeh)
Me compré una forty y a Cupido se la vacié (-cié, -cié)
No me vuelvo a enamorar, no (No)
No me vuelvo a enamorar (Uh-wuh)
[Chorus]
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor
Si ante’ yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor (Yeh)
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor (Me va mejor)
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor (Yeh)
Si antes yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti (Wuh)
[Verse 1]
Hoy yo no quiero fumar regular (No, no)
Tráiganme un Kush que me haga sentir espectacular (Shh)
Para celebrar que ya no estás tú para especular (Wuh)
Ni joderme por todos los culo’ que tengo en el celular (Ah, ah)
Hoy se bebe, hoy se sale
Ser bueno y fiel ya de nada vale (Skrt)
Por mujeres como tú es que dicen
Que todo’ los hombres somo’ iguale’ (Yeh, yeh)
Si no me conoce’ no me señale’ (No)
Ya yo me conozco tus male’ (Huh)
Como Hector el Father
Hoy yo salgo pa’ la calle con to’ mis anormale’, yeh
[Chorus]
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor (Me va mejor)
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor
Si antes yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor (Yeh)
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor (Lo hacen mejor)
Si antes yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor (Yeh)
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti (Wuh), por ti
[Verse 2]
Ahora hago to’ lo que quiero (Quiero)
Solo pienso en mí primero, yeh (Wuh)
Tirando billete’ adentro ‘el putero (Ah)
Pa’l carajo el amor verdadero, yo solo pienso en hacer dinero
Baby, lo nuestro ya descansa en paz
Me importa un carajo con quién te vas
Dile a tu mai’ que ya no me hace falta (Nah)
Que ahora tengo suegras de más (Wuh)
Tengo a la blanquita que me hace el lap dance
La rockerita que se lo meto a con to’ y Vans (Wuh)
La prieta, la rubia, modelos
Y eso es sin contar to’a la’ fans (Wuh)
Yo no estoy para amores de mese’
No estoy pa’ pelea’ ni estupidece’
Búscate a otro pa’ que te bese
Ninguno ‘e eso’ cabrone’ a mí se parece (Wuh)
Cada cuál tiene lo que merece (Wuh)
A mami dile que por mí no rece
Que hoy yo salgo esta noche vira’o pa’ la calle
Y nadie va hacer que yo me enderece, yeh
[Pre-Chorus]
Salí jodí’o la última vez que en alguien yo confié (Confié)
Me compré una forty y a Cupido se la vacié (Yeh)
No me vuelvo a enamorar, no (No)
No me vuelvo a enamorar
[Chorus]
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor (Me va mejor)
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor (Uh-wuh)
Si antes yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti
Sigue tu camino que sin ti me va mejor (Me va mejor)
Ahora tengo a otras que me lo hacen mejor (Yeh)
Si antes yo era un hijo ‘e puta, ahora soy peor
Ahora soy peor, ahora soy peor por ti
[Outro]
Alex Killer
Mambo Kingz
DJ Luian
Bad Bunny, baby
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