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Rosalía has addressed the controversy stemming from her interview with Popcast, The New York Times' podcast, where she spoke about her new album, LUX, and the importance of singing in different languages. During the discussion, the Catalan artist mentioned that she feels "the opposite of Benito," referring to Bad Bunny, who previously stated that he is not concerned if his fans do not understand his lyrics in Spanish. Social media quickly interpreted her words as a direct criticism of the Puerto Rican artist.
In light of the wave of comments, Rosalía posted a clarifying message on her social media. "I have nothing but love and respect for Benito. He is a great colleague whom I admire and with whom I have been fortunate to collaborate," wrote the artist, recalling their collaboration on La noche de anoche. She also added: "It saddens me that this is being misunderstood." With these words, the singer aimed to clarify that her reflection on language in music was not a negative comparison, but rather a different artistic viewpoint.
In the interview, Rosalía explained that in LUX she decided to sing in thirteen different languages, including Spanish, Catalan, Sicilian, Latin, German, and Ukrainian. For the artist, language is a creative tool that expands cultural boundaries. “It matters to me that people understand what I sing, even if it’s not always my native language. Making the effort to communicate in other languages is also an act of love towards the audience,” she expressed.
The comment about Bad Bunny arose when the interviewers recalled that the Puerto Rican had said he was not concerned if his audience didn't understand his lyrics. Rosalía responded: "I think I'm the opposite; I do care." From that statement, many media outlets and users interpreted a rivalry that the Catalan artist completely denies. "Thanks to knowing him, I understand even better why he approaches his projects the way he does, just as I have my own way of doing it," she clarified.
Rosalía also took the opportunity to send a message of thanks to her Latin American fans. “I have always been grateful to Latin America because, although I come from another place, Latinos have supported me a lot throughout my career,” she commented, emphasizing the connection she feels with the Spanish-speaking audience. The artist claims that her new album is a tribute to the cultural diversity that has inspired her so much.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny continues to face criticism from some sectors questioning his choice as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show. The NFL itself has defended its decision, highlighting the global impact of the Puerto Rican artist. Two distinct viewpoints on art and language, but with a common point: both have elevated Spanish-language music to the highest echelons of the international industry.
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