How Afro-Latinx Innovators Are Bridging Rhythms of Resistance from Yoruba Drumming to Bad Bunny’s Reggaeton

In the 19th century, Afro-Puerto Rican poet and revolutionary Clemente Soto Vélez wove African rhythms into his fight for Puerto Rican independence, embodying the fusion of cultural pride and resistance. His work echoed the Yoruba drumming traditions brought to the Caribbean through the transatlantic slave trade, which became the backbone of genres like bomba and plena. These rhythms, rooted in African spirituality and storytelling, resisted colonial erasure long before reggaeton’s global rise [[6]].

• Example: Soto Vélez’s poetry → Bad Bunny’s lyrical critiques of U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico.

2. Modern Developments (2010s–2023)

Today, Rosalía’s flamenco-meets-digital-soul sound highlights the Black diaspora’s influence on Spanish music, yet mainstream media often sidelines Afro-Latinx contributions. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s reggaeton anthems—infused with Afro-Caribbean percussion—dominate charts, though the genre’s African roots are frequently overlooked [[7]]. In 2024, Pulitzer-winning journalism by outlets like The New York Times amplified these conversations, exposing systemic erasure in Latinx media narratives [[8]].

3. Practical Takeaways

Empower Afro-Latinx voices through:

1. Conscious Consumption: Stream music by Afro-Latinx artists like ÌFÉ or Tokischa, and credit their African heritage in social media shares.
2. Educate: Share resources like the 2023 *Afro-Latinx Stories* anthology to combat historical amnesia.
3. Collaborate: Support cross-cultural projects uniting Black and Latinx communities, such as drumming workshops blending Yoruba and bomba traditions.