Home Entertainment Rauw Alejandro’s VMA Debut Celebrates Bomba and Plena, Puerto Rico’s Musical Roots 

Rauw Alejandro’s VMA Debut Celebrates Bomba and Plena, Puerto Rico’s Musical Roots 

Rauw Alejandro's VMA Debut Celebrates Bomba and Plena, Puerto Rico’s Musical Roots 
Credit: MTV VMAs 2024 (screenshot)

Rauw Alejandro brought Puerto Rican heritage to the global stage during his VMAs debut, offering audiences a preview of his upcoming album Cosa Nuestra. His performance paid tribute to the island’s musical roots, referencing the iconic 1969 salsa album by Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe but with what Alejandro called “a new twist.” 

It was evident that Alejandro’s performance was a cultural homage. He transformed Diluvio into the traditional rhythms of bomba and plena, genres that carry deep historical significance for Puerto Rico.  

Bomba, born in Loíza, served as a means of political and spiritual expression for Afro-Puerto Ricans, while plena, derived from bomba, became a soundtrack for political protests, narrating the island’s struggles and victories. 

The stage featured musicians playing timbales and dancers dressed in traditional white, evoking the heart of Puerto Rican tradition. A neon sign reading Cosa Nuestra illuminated the performance, tying Alejandro’s modern music to the island’s rich cultural past. He later performed Déjame entrar, sending a heartfelt message to his “gente latina,” reinforcing his connection to the Puerto Rican and Latin American communities. 

Why It Matters Rauw Alejandro Included Bomba y Plena in His Performance

Including bomba and plena in the VMAs held deeper meaning than simply introducing Caribbean rhythms to an international audience. It was a nod to Afro-Puerto Rican ancestry, honoring the history and power of these genres. Bomba, in particular, emerged as a form of resistance, a way for those oppressed to express themselves politically and spiritually. Plena, with its roots in bomba, continues to play a vital role in Puerto Rican political life, often heard at protests as a way to tell the island’s stories. 

By incorporating these traditional sounds, Alejandro reminded the world that bomba and plena are more than music — they are living, breathing elements of Puerto Rican identity. Finally, the beautiful history of the Latino community is being honored in large stages more so than before. Though slow, progress is being made.   

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