The story in Spanish here
The music industry has become a battleground in the U.S. presidential elections, to be held on November 5, 2024, and the legendary Mexican band Maná just entered the fray with a strong reaction for Urban music star Nicky Jam to support Donald Trump.
The Reegaetón artist, born in Boston, of Puerto Rican and Dominican parents, endorsed the ex-president this week.
Following this endorsement, Maná was quick to react. In a message through their Instagram account, they announced that they will withdraw their collaboration with the reggaetonero, the song 'De Pies a Cabeza', from all digital platforms.
"Maná doesn't work with racists," said the band, on a big graphic.
This is the translation in English of the rest of their message, initially written in Spanish:
"For the past 30 years, Maná has supported and defended the rights of Latinos around the world. No business or promotion is worth more than the dignity of our people. That's why today Maná decided to erase their collaboration with Nicky Jam of "Pies a Cabeza" from all digital platforms," the band said.
Maná, one of the most active voices in the defense of the rights of Latinos worldwide and migrants in the U.S., explained that during their 30-year career, they have always prioritized values over any commercial interest. This decision has generated a great wave of comments on social networks.
The reactions of other celebrities have not been long in coming. Such is the case of Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 1996 and a figure with a tense history with Trump, who fat-shammed her as a teen, being one of the first to applaud Maná's move.
The former beauty queen commented on the photo, "The coherence in their actions is the balm of those who defend an ideal," showing her full support for the Mexican group.
Maná's reaction comes as no surprise to those who have followed their career. The band has been open about its political stances. While they align with leftist causes, Maná was part of the concert Venezuela Aid, organized in 2019 on the Colombian border against the Maduro regime.
Nicky Jam has stayed silent
Despite the recent uproar, Nicky Jam has not issued any comment on Maná's decision. The Boricua singer-songwriter and entrepreneur who surprised many with his support for Trump remains at the center of a controversy that doesn't seem to subside anytime soon.
The endorsement was a weird episode, with Trump confusing the 43-year-old male artist with a woman.
@the_official_megs Donald Trump thinks Nicky jam is a female. #trump#nickyjam#puertorico#greenscreen #greenscreenvideo
♬ original sound - The_official_megs
Other Latin artists, such as Anuel AA and Justin Quiles, have also shown their support for the former president, which has generated divisions among their followers.
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