In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the lyrics of "Nueva York" by Bad Bunny with Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez.

In Part 2, we explore the heavy cultural references in the song—from Dominican rap anthems to Puerto Rican boxing legends—and discuss the controversy surrounding Forbes naming Bad Bunny the "King of Pop." You'll also learn key vocabulary distinctions and cultural nuances between island life and city life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The meaning of 7 Puerto Rican Spanish words & phrases used in the song, like está buena, las gatas, and sacarla del estadio 🇵🇷
• How Bad Bunny really feels about being named "King of Pop" by Forbes Magazine (and how he addresses it in the lyrics) 👑
• The critical difference between the verbs mover and mudar (and why mixing them up changes your meaning completely) 💃🏽

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

📩 Join our e-mail list and be the first to know when new episodes are released, plus get access to exclusive listener discounts + giveaways

Connect with us...
📲 Follow us on Instagram
👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community
▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel
📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we’re breaking down the lyrics to Nuevayol by the Puerto Rican superstar and future Super Bowl 2026 headliner, Bad Bunny.

Joined by Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez, we explore how this song pays homage to the legendary salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Plus, you'll learn the cultural significance of the lyrics and the unique sounds of the Puerto Rican accent.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🗣️The linguistic reason why Puerto Ricans pronounce "New York" the way they do (and the specific sound change that creates the Puerto Rican accent)

🥳The meaning of the slang word rulay and the specific feeling it describes when you are out with friends

🇵🇷 The classic 1970s salsa anthem Bad Bunny samples in this track and what it reveals about the history of the Puerto Rican diaspora

Listen to this episode to get ready for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show 🏈 and learn more conversational Puerto Rican Spanish.

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

📩 Join our e-mail list and be the first to know when new episodes are released, plus get access to exclusive listener discounts + giveaways

Connect with us...
📲 Follow us on Instagram
👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community
▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel
📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we answer a listener question from Jo-Anne. She struggles with forgetting words and feeling nervous speaking Spanish with adults.

Tamara shares actionable tips for consistent practice, reducing anxiety, and building fluency.

In this episode, she covers:

• Learn how to schedule consistent, structured conversations with adults in Spanish 📆
• Discover techniques to ease speaking anxiety 🧘🏽‍♀️
• Easy way to practice everyday Spanish and learn conversational phrases 🗣️

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

📩 Join our e-mail list and be the first to know when new episodes are released, plus get access to exclusive listener discounts + giveaways

Connect with us...
📲 Follow us on Instagram
👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community
▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel
📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter