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Bad Bunny, TikTok, & The Biggest Soccer Stories This Week
This week’s drop is packed with heat from across the culture. Our head of music partnerships, Gillian Williams, dives into Bad Bunny’s latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Over in Paris, PSG and Jordan Brand just dropped their luxe “WINGS” collection, blending football and high fashion. We’re also breaking down how the potential TikTok ban could reshape the world for soccer content creators, giving you insights and alternatives. Plus, the FC Series tournament kicks off this week, and Jedi Robinson takes home US Soccer Male Player of the Year. Let’s get into it.
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MUSIC // DIASPORA STORIES
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Navigating Grief, And Gratitude for Where You Come From
words by Gillian Williams / forty-one head of music partnerships
It wasn’t the lush emerald vegetation, the palm trees, or the green banana trees on the album cover. It wasn’t the familiarity of the white plastic chairs. It wasn’t even the earnestness of his voice throughout the album.
Over the past week, Bad Bunny’s latest offering, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS has refreshingly washed over social media like that first swim after months away from the beach. Following the release of lead single “EL CLúB” on December 5th last year, the new album dropped exactly one month later on January 5th, with fans taking to tracks such as the uptempo nod to Nuyoricans “NUEVAYoL” that samples the 1975 song “Un Verano en Nueva York” by El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico, a renowned and legendary Puerto Rican Salsa Orchestra with modern reggaeton and dembow infusions, “BAILE INoLVDIABLE” another salsa leaning and heartfelt offering about a lost love, and “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii”, a plea for his native island not to suffer the same fate as modern day gentrified Hawaii.
The warm reception is most deserving for Bad Bunny’s most politically forward album yet. But it’s the photo and video compilations of people posting recaps of their past year, passed on loved ones and pets, and places they miss dearly to the title song, DtMF (the album name abbreviated) that moved the artist, full name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, to tears in a shared Tik Tok post. In that moment it wasn’t Bad Bunny the multi platinum Global Superstar that was deeply moved, it was Benito, the person who loves his country, his family, his people, and his culture, that bore witness to how universal that sentiment is for so many others.
STYLE
Jordan Brand and PSG unveil new “WINGS” collection
credit: Nike
Jordan Brand and Paris Saint-Germain have teamed up to drop a luxe streetwear collection that fuses football culture with high-end fashion. Crafted in Italy, the lineup features standout pieces like a cashmere-blend varsity jacket, premium leather accessories, and a striking fourth kit emblazoned with the iconic Jordan Wings logo. This exclusive collection will debut at a Paris Fashion Week pop-up from January 21 to 26, with the fourth kit hitting jordan.com and select retailers on January 22.
MORE STYLE NEWS
Under Armour and Spanish creative studio Equipo FC have teamed up to drop a medieval-inspired collection that fuses knightly aesthetics with modern streetwear. Dubbed “Wear your Armour, for any battle,” the limited-edition lineup features a football kit and cotton tee, blending cutting-edge techniques like 3D printing with classic screen printing. The collection is available now at tienda.equipofc.com.
Rihanna and PUMA are back with another FENTY x PUMA drop. The Avanti LS reimagines the classic Avanti with turf-inspired short gum studs and a fresh royal blue, gold, and cream colorway. Sleek, bold, and dripping in style.
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Los Angeles’ professional sports teams join forces for fire relief efforts
Credit: LA Galaxy
In the midst of the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, 11 local professional sports franchises, including LA Galaxy, LAFC and Angel City FC have collectively pledged over $8M in relief to those impacted in the fires.
What a TikTok Ban Could Mean to Soccer Content Creators
Original Photo Credit: Gilted Edge Marketing
If TikTok gets the boot in the United States, the impact could be monumental for soccer content creators. As one of the fastest-growing platforms for bite-sized storytelling, TikTok has been a go-to for creators showcasing everything from street ball flair to game-day fits. With the looming possibility of a ban, creators naturally wonder: What's next? We have some thoughts, and some tips.
MOVES
Robin Fraser Returns to Toronto
Credit: Toronto FC
Toronto FC has appointed Robin Fraser as head coach for the 2025 MLS season, marking his return to the club where he previously served as an assistant coach from 2015 to 2019. Fraser, 58, brings a wealth of MLS experience, having led the Colorado Rapids to a record-breaking season in 2021. An MLS legend as a player, Fraser rejoins Wilfried Nancy and Pascal Jansen as one of three Black head coaches in the league.
ON THE PITCH
FC Series to Feature Orlando City SC Alongside Brazilian Powers São Paulo, Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro in January
Mark your calendar, three Brazilian soccer clubs (São Paulo FC, Atlético Mineiro, and Cruzeiro) will visit Florida in January for the FC Series. The event, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025, will return to its Florida Cup roots with four exhibition matches across the state. The lineup includes São Paulo FC's return to Florida, the first Superclássico Mineiro between Atlético and Cruzeiro to be played in the U.S., and a clash between Atlético and Orlando City SC, fresh off their 2024 MLS playoff run.
THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE SLEPT ON
Antonee Robinson wins U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year
This is the 27-year-old left-back’s first time being named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, he is also the first defender to win since 2006. Robinson has been instrumental in both club and country successes, also winning Fulham FC’s player of the year award.