Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Latin American Spanish:[beˈnitoanˈtonjomaɾˈtinesoˈkasjo]; born March 10, 1994), known professionally asBad Bunny (Latin American Spanish:[baðˈβoni]), is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and record producer.[4] Dubbed the "King of Latin Trap", Bad Bunny is credited with helping Spanish-language rap music achieve mainstream popularity worldwide. He is considered one of the best Latin rappers of all time.[5][6]
Born inBayamón[1] and raised inVega Baja, Puerto Rico,[7][8][9] Bad Bunny rose to prominence in 2016 with his song "Soy Peor", which led to a recording contract with Hear This Music. He continued gaining traction with songs such as his feature onCardi B'sBillboard Hot 100 number-one single "I Like It" alongsideJ Balvin and his top-ten single "Mía" (featuringDrake). Bad Bunny's debut studio album,X 100pre (2018), peaked at number 11 on the USBillboard 200, while his collaborative album with J Balvin,Oasis (2019), reached number nine. His second solo album,YHLQMDLG (2020), became the highest-charting all-Spanish album to appear on theBillboard 200 at the time at number two, and was followed by the compilation albumLas que no iban a salir (2020).
El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020), Bad Bunny's third solo album, became the first all-Spanish language album to top theBillboard 200, while its lead single, "Dakiti", reached the top ten of the Hot 100. His fourth solo album,Un Verano Sin Ti (2022), spent 13 weeks atop theBillboard 200, was named the best-performing album of the year, and became the first Spanish-language album to be nominated for theGrammy Award for Album of the Year. He followed it with theBillboard 200 number-one albumsNadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (2023) andDebí Tirar Más Fotos (2025). In September 2025, he was announced as the headliner of theSuper Bowl LX halftime show in 2026.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was born on March 10, 1994, in Bayamón,[1] and was raised in theAlmirante Sur barrio ofVega Baja, Puerto Rico.[7][8][9] His father, Tito Martínez, was a truck driver, and his mother, Lysaurie Ocasio, is a retired schoolteacher.[10][11] He has two younger brothers, Bernie and Bysael.[11] His parents often listened to genres such assalsa,merengue, andpop ballads.
He said, "I wasn't the kid who got involved in the streets. I liked to be at home with my family."[16] He attended church weekly with his devoutlyRoman Catholic mother and sang in the church choir until age 13. After leaving the choir, he developed an interest in the artists he heard on the radio, particularlyDaddy Yankee andHéctor Lavoe.[11] His stage name originated from a time when he was forced to wear a bunny costume and was angry about it.[13]
After graduating high school in 2012, Martínez enrolled in the audiovisual communications program at theUniversity of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, aiming to become a radio host.[17] He worked part-time as a bagger and cashier at an Econo supermarket while creating music.[18] He left university without completing his degree to pursue his musical aspirations.[19]
Speaking about the Puerto Rican music industry, he stated, "I'm from Vega Baja, a small area that's not a metropolis like San Juan where the majority of the genre's artists have come from."[20]
Music career
2013–2017: Early career beginnings
He started to write and create his own interpretations at the age of 14.[21] In 2016, his songDiles caught the attention ofDJ Luian fromSoundCloud who signed him to his record label, Hear this Music.[4][22][23] His singleSoy Peor, released December 2016, reached number 19 on the Hot Latin Songs chart.[4][24] Bad Bunny's May 2017 collaboration with Colombian singerKarol G, "Ahora Me Llama", reached number 10 on theBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[25][26] It was listed on "Alt.Latino's Favorites: The Songs of 2017" as one of the best Latin songs of 2017.[26]
In the summer of 2017, Bad Bunny signed a booking deal with Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN) for several Latin American countries.[27] Starting in November 2017, Bad Bunny hostedBeats 1's first Spanish-language show,Trap Kingz.[28][29] The remix of "Te Boté" withOzuna andNicky Jam reached number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart.[30]
In May 2018, American rapperCardi B released a collaboration with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, "I Like It", which topped theBillboard Hot 100.[29][31] On October 11, 2018, Bad Bunny released "Mia" withDrake,[32][33] which reached number five on theBillboard Hot 100.[34]
Bad Bunny released his debut albumX 100pre on December 24, 2018, on Christmas Eve 2018 on Rimas Entertainment.[35] The album peaked at number 11 on the USBillboard 200.[36] OnMetacritic,X 100pre received an average score of 84 based on five reviews.[37][38] Alexis Petridis ofThe Guardian praised Bad Bunny's "off-kilter creativity".[38] In 2020,X 100pre was voted 447th inRolling Stone's500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[39]
On June 28, 2019, Bad Bunny releasedOasis, an eight-song collaborative album with J Balvin.[40] It peaked at number nine on theBillboard 200[41] and topped theBillboard US Latin Albums chart.[42] In July 2019, he joined protests against governorRicardo Rosselló.[43] Bad Bunny andResidente released "Afilando Los Cuchillos" ("Sharpening the knives") during the demonstrations.[44]
2020–2021:YHLQMDLG,Las que no iban a salir, andEl Último Tour Del Mundo
YHLQMDLG debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200, becoming the highest-charting all-Spanish album ever on the chart at the time.[49][50] The album was met with critical acclaim, with the album's musical diversity being praised.[51] "Vete" was released as the lead single of the album on November 22, 2019.[52] The second single, "Ignorantes", with Panamanian singerSech came out on February 14, 2020.[53][46] In March 2020, Bad Bunny released the music video for "Yo Perreo Sola", in which the artist performs indrag.[54] "Yo Perreo Sola" landed number one on theBillboardLatin Airplay chart, earning Bad Bunny his ninth No.1 on the chart in just over two years.[55]
On April 4, 2020, he released the song "En Casita" on SoundCloud, which expressed solidarity towards others in quarantine due toCOVID-19 and featured vocals from his girlfriend, Gabriela Berlingeri.[56] On May 10, 2020, Bad Bunny released his first compilationLas que no iban a salir, without previous announcements.[57][58] The compilation's title translates to "The Ones that Were Not Going to Come Out" and it contains previously unreleased or unfinished songs.[59] The album features collaborations withDon Omar,Yandel,Zion & Lennox,Nicky Jam, andJhayco.[57] Discussing the album's surprise release, Bad Bunny explained, "There was no real meaning behind it. I just thought, 'Damn. What people need is entertainment'".[16] Bad Bunny had been filming his supporting role inNarcos: Mexico before filming was postponed due to the pandemic.[16] It premiered in November 2021.[60]
In July 2020, he appeared on the first digital cover ofPlayboy magazine as the first man to appear on the cover solo other than the magazine's founder,Hugh Hefner. The cover was shot by photographer Stillz inMiami, Florida, and the magazine includes a feature article entitled "Bad Bunny Is Not Playing God."[61] He also received theASCAP Latin award for Songwriter of the Year.[62] The following month, his song "Pero Ya No" appeared in an advertisement for politicianJoe Biden's2020 United States presidential election campaign.[63] On September 20, 2020, Bad Bunny performed a surprise, live (via his YouTube channel andUforia), free concert from atop a flatbed truck that looked like a subway car going through the streets of New York and ended at Harlem Hospital.[64][65][66] In October 2020, Bad Bunny released the single "Dakiti", withJhayco, which topped theBillboard Global 200 and reached number five on the US Hot 100. The song is included on his third studio album,El Último Tour Del Mundo, which was released on November 27, 2020, and was described as a personal and ambitious record.[67][68][69] It became the first all-Spanish language album to reach number one on theBillboard 200.[69]
In January 2022, Bad Bunny was featured inVogue for the second time modeling the current season's best bags.[90] In April 2022,Sony Pictures announced Bad Bunny as the lead forEl Muerto, a film set inSony's Spider-Man Universe. The film was originally set to be released on January 12, 2024,[91] prior to being removed from the release schedule.[92] On May 6, 2022, Bad Bunny released his fourth (fifth overall) studio albumUn Verano Sin Ti, which debuted at number one on theBillboard 200 and stood there for thirteen non-consecutive weeks.[93][94] The album was declared the best-performing album of the year on theBillboard 200 year-end chart,[95] as well as the world's best-performing album of 2022 according toIFPI, making Bad Bunny the first Latino to have won aIFPI Global Chart Award.[96] It also broke the record for the most-streamed album of all time onSpotify.[97]Un Verano Sin Ti became the first Spanish-language album to be nominated for theGrammy Award for Album of the Year.[98]
Bad Bunny began his fourth concert tourWorld's Hottest Tour on August 5, 2022, set to visit fourteen countries of the American continent.[99] On October 4, 2022, the tour becamethe highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist in history, earning US$232.5 million at the time.[100] Bad Bunny received the most nominations (eight) for the 2022 American Music Awards, including his first for artist of the year.[101] He was crownedArtist of the Year byBillboard in 2022.[102] He also became the most streamed artist of the year in 2022 for the third year in a row.[103]
On May 19, 2023, Bad Bunny released his first solo single of the year titled "Where She Goes", in which he ventured intojersey club music. The music video had cameos fromFrank Ocean,Lil Uzi Vert,Ronaldinho, and others.[104] In an interview with Vanity Fair on September 12, 2023, Bad Bunny revealed that he is no longer involved in the upcoming El Muerto film after its schedule removal. He has also confirmed that he is working on a new album that is planned to come out sometime during the fall, Bad Bunny hinted at the possibility of the upcoming project's sound, confirming that he is "playing around and enjoying myself, letting go. I'm being inspired a lot by the music of the '70s, —across genres, in both Spanish and English, but I'm not sure if this is going to shape my music, generally or just one song,"[105] After weeks of unconfirmed teasers and rumors, Bad Bunny revealed the album's titleNadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, which has 22 tracks and was released on October 13, 2023.[106]
2024–present:Debí Tirar Más Fotos and Super Bowl LX halftime show
On December 5, 2024, Bad Bunny released the lead single "El Clúb",[107] followed by the second single "Pitorro de Coco" and the announcement of his new albumDebí Tirar Más Fotos on December 26, 2024.[108] On January 5, 2025, he released his seventh album,Debí Tirar Más Fotos, stating that it "recommits me toPuerto Rico"; it contains many collaborators representing a range of Puerto Rican styles.[109] After the release ofDebí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny announcedNo Me Quiero Ir de Aquí, a 30-date residency which will take place at San Juan'sJosé Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, (also referred as "El Choli") during July 2025 - September 2025 with the first nine dates exclusively for Puerto Rico residents.[110][111] The residency occurred during hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean—a period when tourism drops by 25% to 45% and lodging prices fall by as much as 50% according to tourism agency Discover Puerto Rico. According to Moody Analytics the residency is expected to draw ~600,000 attendees and have a direct economic impact of $250 million. Moody also estimates total spending, which includes purchases not directly related to shows, will reach $400 million and caused the firm to raise its 2025 economic forecast from 0.3% growth to 0.4%.[112]
On April 7, 2025,NPR Music released Bad Bunny'sTiny Desk Concert performance.[113][114] On May 5, 2025, Bad Bunny announcedDebí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, a 23-date stadium world tour, with dates in Europe, Australia, Japan, and Latin America beginning in November 2025.[115] Bad Bunny cited concerns that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could harm fans at his concerts as further reason for not doing a 2025 US tour, though he said this was not out of spite toward the United States.[116]
There were many reasons why I didn't show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate—I've performed there many times. All of (the shows) have been successful. All of them have been magnificent. I've enjoyed connecting with Latinos who have been living in the U.S.But specifically, for a residency here in Puerto Rico, when we are an unincorporated territory of the United States. People from the U.S. could come here to see the show. Latinos and Puerto Ricans of the United States could also travel here, or to any part of the world. But there was the issue of — like, fucking ICE could be outside (my concert). And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about.[116]
On July 14, Bad Bunny released the single "Alambre Púa", with the track's title stylized in the same manner as songs fromDebí Tirar Más Fotos.[117]
On September 28, 2025, it was announced that he will headline theSuper Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026.[118][119][120] The decision to have Bad Bunny headline the performance has spurred controversy with Donald Trump calling the choice "absolutely ridiculous."[121]
According to Timothy Monger of AllMusic, his lyrics "range from humor and pathos to heartbreak and anger (sometimes in the same song)".[4] According toPaper, other themes explored in Bad Bunny's music include "self-love, inclusivity, and LGBTQ acceptance".[142]
Public image
Fashion
Vanessa Rosales ofCNN has opined that "in pink, florals and short shorts, Bad Bunny champions a new masculinity".[143]
He has appeared at award shows with manicured, polished, and long fingernails.[5][144] Ben Beaumont-Thomas ofThe Guardian opined in 2020 that Bunny's style influenced fellow Latin artists, who "often now share his highly colorful mashup ofstreetwear andtailoring."[72]
In 2020, Bad Bunny collaborated withCrocs to create a glow-in-the-dark clogs inspired by the YHLQMDLG album.[145]
Since March 2021, Bad Bunny has routinely collaborated withAdidas to redesign various collections within the Adidas sneaker line to incorporate culturally infused elements that represent Bad Bunny and his life.[146] In his first drop with Adidas, he stated in a press release, "I have always loved sneakers since I was a kid. They were the essential detail of the style I wanted and the look I wanted to have... It's something that defines you and at the same time it brings people together."[147][148] Bad Bunny has redesigned several sneakers within the Adidas line, such as theCampus, theForum, and theGazelle, among others.[149][150][151]
In November 2021, Bad Bunny appeared on the cover ofAllure, with the magazine showcasing his unconventionality within fashion which, has helped to challenge gender stereotypes in fashion. They noted his playful self-expression on social media as influential in redefining masculinity. When asked about his role in breaking cultural norms, he acknowledged predecessors but credited timing and momentum for his influence.[152]
In March 2025, Bad Bunny became a global ambassador forCalvin Klein underwear.[157][158][159] For its online campaign, he wore the brand's Spring 2025 men's underwear collection, and the advertisement generated $8.4 million in media impact value in 48 hours. The campaign also received more than 3.7 million likes on Instagram and TikTok, while the videos received more than 56 million views.[160] The Calvin Klein campaign video included the song, "EoO."[157] Bad Bunny was featured on the cover ofVogue Mexico and Latin America, photographed bySebastián Faena, for the May 2025 edition.[161]
Activism
Bad Bunny criticized the lack of humanitarian aid in the wake ofHurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017.[162] Later the same year, Bad Bunny performed at Somos Live!Telethon, a benefit concert for hurricane relief across Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Caribbean. During his set, Bad Bunny wore a shirt criticizing then-President Donald Trump with the message: "¿Eres Twitero o Presidente?" ("Are You a Twitter User or President?")[163]
On July 22, 2019, Bad Bunny joined artists such asResidente,Ricky Martin, and more than half a million Puerto Ricans in taking the streets and shutting down theExpreso Las Américas, a major highway also known as the Autopista Luis A. Ferré, in protests against government corruption and demandingRicardo Rosselló's resignation from the office of Governor of Puerto Rico.[164] In May 2020, he had not taken a position regarding thePuerto Rican statehood movement and had stated that he would prefer to answer at a later time with more clarification.[16] He later concluded his answer in January 2021 stating that he would never "want to see Puerto Rico become a State". It was widely understood that he was not necessarily advocating forPuerto Rican independence, only that he opposed the territory ever becoming the 51st state.[165]
In 2020, Bad Bunny appeared onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a musical guest and brought attention to thekilling of Alexa Negrón Luciano, a transgender woman from Puerto Rico. He wore a white T-shirt with the words "Mataron a Alexa, no a un hombre con falda," ("They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.") and a black skirt.[166]
Bad Bunny released his music video for "El Apagón" on September 16, 2022. Accompanying the music video was a documentary directed byKacho Lopez Mari that includes reporting by independent journalist Bianca Graulau. The video criticizes deficiency in the electrical network and constant blackouts fromLUMA Energy,Act 22 of 2012, gentrification in San Juan, and land and beach privatization.
Bad Bunny's philanthropic efforts are mostly done through his Good Bunny Foundation (Fundación el Buen Conejo), which was established in 2018.[169] The organization emphasizes youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and community development in Puerto Rico. The foundation collaborates extensively with local governments, educational institutions, corporations, and fellow artists to amplify its impact.[170]
Good Bunny Foundation
Since 2018, Bad Bunny has hosted an annual holiday event called Bonita Tradición where he has distributed tens of thousands of toys, musical instruments, sports gear, and art supplies to the youth in Puerto Rico, and hosts cultural events for underprivileged children in Puerto Rico.[171][172][173] In January 2025, Bad Bunny personally delivered musical instruments, art kits, and sports equipment to the Ángel L. Rodríguez Rivera court in Vega Baja.[174][175]
In 2019, Bad Bunny partnered with musicianMarc Anthony to donate $1.6 million to rebuild Puerto Rican baseball fields that were destroyed by HurricanesIrma and María. Their foundations, Good Bunny Foundation and Maestro Cares, collaborated withUNICEF and a nonprofitLISC to reconstruct 25 fields, prioritizing rural municipalities like Vega Baja, Loíza, Yabucoa, and Yauco. The project aimed to create "an upward spiral of opportunities" for 17,500 youth. Bad Bunny stated, "Our commitment is to rebuild these parks so that we can help new athletes grow. This is the first step for the rebirth of sports within the island."[176][177]
In 2024, Bad Bunny andCheetos launched a $500,000 campaign awarding twenty $25,000 grants to individuals advancing Hispanic communities via art, education, or social projects.[179]
For the DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS world tour in 2025, Bad Bunny donated part of the proceeds from ticket sales to the Good Bunny Foundation.[180]
Personal life
Relationships
In 2017, while eating at a restaurant with his family after performing at aZion & Lennox concert, Bad Bunny met jewelry designer Gabriela Berlingeri.[16][181] They soon began collaborating professionally before their relationship became public. They separated in late 2022.[182]
Bad Bunny began dating model and media starKendall Jenner in 2023.[183] In September 2023, they featured together in a shoot forGucci's Valigeria campaign, one that "explores the intimacy of traveling together."[184] Since September 2024, however, they have taken a 'step back' from each other and are no longer dating.[185][186]
Sexuality
In July 2018, Bad Bunny had criticized anail salon inAsturias, Spain, for refusing to give him service since he was a man; the post led to homophobic comments and questions concerning Bad Bunny's sexuality. The post was deleted and Bad Bunny later apologized and deleted his Twitter account.[187][126]
In support of LGBT rights, Bad Bunny criticized a tweet byreggaeton artistDon Omar considered to be homophobic in January 2019.[188] During a performance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in February 2020, he called attention to the murder of transgender woman Alexa Negrón Luciano in Puerto Rico by wearing a shirt with the words "They Killed Alexa. Not a Man in a Skirt", referencing news reports that hadmisgendered the victim.[189][16] Ricky Martin has stated that Bad Bunny "has become an icon for the Latin queer community" due to his support of gay and transgender Latinos as well as his embrace of drag culture.[16] Bad Bunny was recognized for hisallyship in 2023 by queer advocacy organizationGLAAD when Ricky Martin presented him with the Vanguard Award for allyship at the 34thGLAAD Media Awards.[190]
Bad Bunny has also expressed publicly that he views his own sexuality asfluid. In a 2020 interview with theLos Angeles Times, he stated, "At the end of the day, I don't know if in 20 years I will like a man. One never knows in life. But at the moment I am heterosexual and I like women."[191] At the2022 MTV Video Music Awards he kissed a male dancer during his performance of "Tití Me Preguntó".[192]
Legal issues
In March 2023, Carliz de la Cruz, who had been in a relationship with Bad Bunny from 2011 to 2016, filed a US$40 million lawsuit against the rapper and his manager for unauthorized usage of a recording of her voice. According to the lawsuit, a 2015 recording of the woman saying "Bad Bunny, baby" was used without her permission in the songs "Pa Ti" and "Dos Mil 16".[193]
At the2022 Royal Rumble on January 29, Bad Bunny returned to WWE, competing in the men's Royal Rumble match. He eliminatedSheamus andDolph Ziggler and lasted until the final five, when he was eliminated by the eventual winner,Brock Lesnar.[201] On January 23, 2023, it was announced that Bad Bunny would be a playable wrestler in theWWE 2K23 video game as a pre-order bonus.[202]
On March 8, 2023, it was announced that Bad Bunny would serve as the host for WWE's upcoming event,Backlash, taking place in his native Puerto Rico.[203] On April 1, 2023, Bad Bunny joined the Spanish announce team to commentate during the match betweenRey Mysterio andDominik Mysterio on Night 1 ofWrestleMania 39. Bunny would intervene during the match, preventing Dominik from attacking Rey with a chain.[204] Two nights later onRaw, Bunny—who was seated front row as a fan—was attacked and chokeslammed through the announcers table by former partner Damian Priest, who was now a teammate of Dominik Mysterio inThe Judgment Day.[205] On the April 24 episode, Bunny returned and attacked Priest with akendo stick, subsequently announcing that instead of hosting Backlash, he would be wrestling Priest in aSan Juan Street Fight at the event.[206] On the May 5 episode ofSmackDown, Bunny helped theLatino World Order (LWO) saveRey Mysterio from an attack from The Judgment Day, leading to Mysterio giving Bunny an LWO t-shirt, signifying his addition to the group.[207][208] At Backlash on May 6, Bunny defeated Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight, to the admiration of his home fans.[209]
^abcShepherd, Julianne Escobedo (August 28, 2018)."Cover Story: Bad Bunny".The Fader.Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. RetrievedNovember 26, 2019.
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