Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler performed a milonga-style version of Bad Bunny’s hit song “Yo perreo sola” on the Spanish television program “Cara al Show” [1].

The performance highlights the intersection of traditional folk forms and modern urban music. By reimagining a reggaeton track through a traditional lens, Drexler challenges conventional boundaries of genre and prestige in the music industry.

Appearing in the La Sexta studio in Spain, Drexler shared the stage with host Marc Giró [1]. The artist used the live performance to address the concept of “musical purity,” suggesting that the value of a song is not diminished by its origin or the genre it occupies [2].

Drexler, who has won seven Grammy awards [2], sought to demonstrate how a contemporary pop hit can be translated into a different musical language without losing its essence. The rendition transformed the high-energy urban track into a milonga, a style rooted in the Rio de la Plata region [1].

The broadcast was made available via the Atresplayer platform, extending the reach of the performance beyond the initial television airing [1]. The collaboration between the singer and the program focused on the versatility of songwriting, and the ability of a strong melody to survive various arrangements [1].

Throughout the segment, Drexler focused on the idea that music should be viewed as a fluid medium. He used the Bad Bunny cover to send a message to those who adhere to strict definitions of musical purity, arguing that such distinctions often ignore the creative potential of cross-genre experimentation [2].

“Jorge Drexler performed a milonga-style version of Bad Bunny’s hit song “Yo perreo sola””

This performance serves as a cultural commentary on the perceived hierarchy between 'high art' and 'commercial pop.' By applying the sophisticated structures of milonga to a global reggaeton hit, Drexler asserts that the songwriting quality of urban music is worthy of academic and traditional exploration, effectively bridging the gap between different generations and classes of listeners.