Exploring expression and unity through Bad Bunny's music

This fall, Sharina Maíllo-Pozo, associate professor in the department of Romance Languages, taught a First Year Odyssey class focused on rapper, singer, and record producer Bad Bunny and the reggaetón music genre, which encouraged students to engage with Bad Bunny’s music from global and personal perspectives.  

Maíllo-Pozo gave an overview of her seminar: “At the intersection of music, culture, and critical inquiry, this seminar invites students to explore the global resonance of reggaetón through Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Tracing the genre’s evolution from its Caribbean roots to its worldwide influence, the course examines how reggaetón operates as both art and social commentary—addressing questions of identity, migration, and belonging.”

For the final project, students came together to interpret Bad Bunny’s latest album through a final photography project combining all their conceptualizations of his work into one recreation of the album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. “Through the photography project, students were able to translate sound into image, bridging theory and creativity. It has been moving to see how they visualize their own connections to the music,” Maíllo-Pozo said. 

One team of students, Hannah Carvajal and Carter Lyemance choose to interpret the themes of cultural connection in Bad Bunny’s album by exchanging cultural foods for their photoshoot. When asked about their photoshoot, Carvajal said that they wanted to convey that “everyone is still family regardless of differences. Food is one way for people to bond.” 

Collaboration for this project went beyond the classroom. To bring the students’ visions to life, the class worked at The Lightroom Athens studio.  The Lightroom team guided students through the process of conceptualizing and capturing their ideas in their photography studio. The Lightroom Athens is a creative studio that offers a variety of services and studio space for students and creatives.   

All first-year students take a FYOS class which familiarizes them with the UGA academic culture, professors, and the research and learning possibilities UGA has to offer. Hundreds of FYOS classes are offered on a variety of different topics from esteemed UGA faculty. It is a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests and help guide them in their future academic goals. These classes can serve as an excellent opportunity for students to become more connected with UGA, and the broader Athens community. 

“Many students say the course has changed how they listen, how they will remember their first semester at college, how they appreciate their family and friends,” Maíllo-Pozo said. Her FYOS class is one of many examples of the innovative ways that professors are engaging with first-year students. 

Image: Students in the FYOS course, at Lightroom Athens facility.