I think about the music video for Maluma’s song Hawái, at least once a week. As a Maluma fan, consider me disappointed by his audacity! I’ve been thinking about this post since November 5th.
The song itself is okay, consider it your typical male pop song. He lost someone and she’s living her best life while he’s reminiscing over their failed relationship. The song is in the POV of Maluma talking to his ex, who was responsible for the end of their relationship. He shares how he’s been looking at her Instagram and how he knows she’s with someone new. He doubts that she’s as happy as her social media account seems to portray but admits that the new guy is probably treating her great.
All of that sounds wonderful. Doesn’t it? Who among us hasn’t broken up with someone and stalked their Instagram?
In the music video we see the woman break up with Maluma, eventually we see her in Hawaii with a new man, who by Maluma’s own words treats her great. In the song he says, “Déjame decirte, se ve que él te trata bien, que es todo un caballero” (“Let me tell you, I can tell he treats you well, he is a total gentleman.”) Then we see her getting ready for her wedding and just as they’re exchanging their vows Maluma crashes the wedding.
Romantic? Ooooorrrrrr manipulative? You decide.
He pleads for her in the middle of her wedding and when he gets thrown out by security, she chases after him and finally catches up to him in the driveway of the wedding venue. When they come face to face again, Maluma TELLS HER HE CAN’T DO THIS AND LEAVES HER STANDING THERE LOOKING LIKE A FOOL. A FOOL!
The manipulation! The audacity! The disrespect!
Please allow this to serve as your life lesson to never second-guess your gut. If you left someone, there is a reason and do not let them manipulate you into doubting yourself. Though he is full of catchy songs and a look that constantly makes people drool, there seems to be a recurring theme of machismo in Maluma’s music. Believe me when I say that I am not the first or only one to notice his toxic ways in “Hawái” or in some of his other songs.
I am a firm believer that we must demand better from the artists we listen to and Maluma needs to leave his toxic ways with his therapist. Think of all the young people listening to his music! Here’s to leaving toxic masculinity in 2020 … a girl can dream.
Experience the music video for yourself:
PS. Music Monday is back .. get ready for more music and more life lessons in 2021