Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny -- born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio on March 10, 1994 -- grew up in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, a small city on the island's northern coast. From an early age he was surrounded by music: he sang in his Catholic church choir until age 13 and received his first reggaeton record at age 5. After high school he enrolled in the audiovisual communications program at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, where he began uploading music to SoundCloud while working as a grocery bagger.^[4]

He rose to international prominence through a series of genre-defining collaborations and solo releases that established him as the dominant force in Latin music. His albums X 100pre (2018), YHLQMDLG (2020), El Ultimo del Mundo (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022), and Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Manana (2023) each made him the most-streamed artist on Spotify globally, a record he has broken multiple times.^[4]

His sixth studio album, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos (January 5, 2025), is widely considered his most explicitly Puerto Rican work. The album explores the island's musical heritage through salsa, bomba, and plena alongside reggaeton and trap, while addressing themes of gentrification, diaspora identity, and cultural preservation. The opening track "NUEVAYoL" centers the Nuyorican community of New York City, honoring cultural figures including rapper Big Pun and salsa legend Willie Colon.^[1][3]

The album made history at the 68th Grammy Awards in February 2026, becoming the first entirely Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year. It also won five awards at the 26th Latin Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Urban Music Album.^[10]

Beyond music, Bad Bunny has been a consistent advocate for Puerto Rican sovereignty, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant communities. He has used his platform to protest utility failures in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, oppose government corruption, and counter anti-immigrant rhetoric in the United States.