“La Bala” turns a single bullet into the storyteller, letting us ride its dizzying flight through the air while exposing the harsh social realities that launched it. Calle 13 paints the projectile as a cold, mechanical traveler—faster than time, lacking feelings, packed with lethal lead—to underline how easy it is for violence to move once someone pulls the trigger. As the bullet boasts about piercing skin and spilling “contemporary art” in bright red, the song zooms out to reveal the bigger culprit: a world where poverty is high, education is scarce, and bullets are cheaper than basic needs. The refrain “hay poco dinero, pero hay muchas balas” pounds like a warning siren, reminding us that inequality and ignorance arm more weapons than any factory can.
Yet the track is more than graphic imagery; it is a call to replace gunfire with conversation. Calle 13 argues that if bullets were as expensive as yachts, killings would be rare, and he urges listeners to “disparo con palabras”—to shoot with words instead. By personifying the bullet and then deconstructing the forces that propel it, the song delivers a powerful, tongue-in-cheek plea for dialogue, education, and social justice over violence.
Calle 13 is a groundbreaking Puerto Rican alternative hip-hop band known for their eclectic fusion of genres including hip-hop, world music, and rap rock. Formed by stepbrothers Residente (lead vocalist and songwriter) and Visitante (multi-instrumentalist and producer), along with their half-sister iLe on backing vocals, the group rose to fame with their politically charged lyrics and innovative sound that challenges conventional reggaeton.
Since their debut in 2005, Calle 13 has been celebrated for their social commentary on Latin American culture and issues, incorporating a wide array of musical instruments and styles to create a unique listening experience. Their thought-provoking songs and activism, especially concerning Puerto Rican independence, have earned them critical acclaim and multiple Latin Grammy Awards, solidifying their influence in Latin music and beyond.