The Mexican pop-rock band Maná has made the decision to remove their 2016 song featuring Nicky Jam following the Puerto Rican reggaeton singer’s public support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. In a statement posted on Instagram, Maná expressed that they do not collaborate with racists and hence decided to take down the remix of their original song “De pies a cabeza” from online platforms. The track was originally released in 1992 as part of Maná’s renowned album “¿Dónde jugarán los niños?”
In their Instagram post, the band highlighted their continuous support for the rights of Latinos worldwide over the past three decades, asserting that no business venture or promotional opportunity is more significant than the dignity of their community. This move came after Nicky Jam expressed his backing for Trump during a recent rally in Las Vegas, where the politician mistakenly referred to the singer as a woman, labeling him as “Latin Music superstar Nicky Jam!”
Maná, who has been actively advocating for migrants’ rights in the United States for more than 20 years, has been recognized with six Latin Grammys and four Grammys, establishing themselves as one of the most influential bands in Latin America. The band has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite the praised association by Trump, Maná has stood firm on their stance in supporting migrants, with their vocalist Fher Olvera emphasizing their commitment to fighting for migrant rights.
Meanwhile, a representative for Nicky Jam did not immediately respond to requests for comments from The Associated Press. Maná’s representative verified the band’s decision but did not provide further elaboration. Alongside Maná, various other artists have also requested that their music not be linked with or used by Trump, including ABBA, The White Stripes, Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, R.E.M., and Guns N’ Roses.
