Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Latin American Spanish:[beˈnitoanˈtonjomaɾˈtinesoˈkasjo]; born March 10, 1994), known professionally asBad Bunny, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, record producer, and occasional professional wrestler.[3] Dubbed the "King of Latin Trap", he is widely credited with helping Spanish-language rap reach mainstream global popularity and is considered one of the greatest Latino rappers of all time.[4][5]
Bad Bunny rose to prominence in 2016 with his song "Diles", which led to a recording contract with Hear This Music. He continued gaining global recognition with songs such as the USBillboard Hot 100 number-one single "I Like It" (withCardi B andJ Balvin) and the top-five single "Mía" (featuringDrake). Bad Bunny's debut studio album,X 100pre (2018), was ranked among theRolling Stone's500 Greatest Albums of All Time. His second solo album,YHLQMDLG (2020), became theSpotify's most-streamed album of the year worldwide, with its 11 tracks charting simultaneously on theBillboard Hot 100.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was born on March 10, 1994, in Bayamón,[1] and was raised in theAlmirante Surbarriocode: spa promoted to code: es ofVega Baja, Puerto Rico.[6][7][8] His father, Benito Martínez, was a truck driver, and his mother, Lysaurie Ocasio, is a retired schoolteacher.[9][10] He has two younger brothers, Bernie and Bysael.[10] His parents often listened to genres such assalsa,merengue, andpop ballads.
Martínez's earliest musical memory was when he received the recordAquel Que Había Muerto by Puerto Rican rapper andreggaetón pioneerVico C as a Christmas gift at the age of five.[11][12] His initial musical purchases included CDs ofMarc Anthony andVíctor Manuelle.[13][6][14][11][8] He said, "I wasn't the kid who got involved in the streets. I liked to be at home with my family."[15] He attended church weekly with his devoutlyCatholic mother and sang in thechurch choir until age 13. After leaving the choir, he developed an interest in the artists he heard on the radio, particularlyDaddy Yankee andHéctor Lavoe.[10] His stage name originated from a time when he was forced to wear a bunny costume and was annoyed about it. He later thought the name "Bad Bunny" would "market well".[12][16]
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 anEcono 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 likeSan Juan where the majority of the genre's artists have come from."[20]
He started to write and create his own music at the age of 14.[21] In 2016, his song "Diles" caught the attention ofDJ Luian fromSoundCloud who signed him to his record label, Hear this Music.[3][22][23] His single "Soy Peor", released in December 2016, reached number 19 on theBillboardHot Latin Songs chart.[3][24] In May 2017, his collaboration withColombian singerKarol G, "Ahora Me Llama", was released, reaching 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 July 2017, Bad Bunny signed a booking deal with Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN) for several Latin American countries.[27]
Bad Bunny in 2017
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 andJ Balvin, "I Like It", which topped theBillboardHot 100.[29][31] On October 11, 2018, Bad Bunny released "Mia" withDrake,[32][33] which reached number five on theBillboard Hot 100.[34]
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", withPanamanian 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 Solacode: spa promoted to code: es" landed number one on theBillboardLatin Airplay chart, earning Bad Bunny his ninth number 1 on the chart in just over two years.[55]
On April 4, 2020, he released the song "En Casitacode: spa promoted to code: es" on SoundCloud, which expressed solidarity towards others inquarantine 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 salircode: spa promoted to code: es, without previous announcements.[57][58] The compilation's title translates to "The Ones That Were Not Going to Come Out" and includes unreleased or unfinished material 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'."[15] Bad Bunny had been filming his supporting role inNarcos: Mexico before filming was postponed due to the pandemic.[15] 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 PlayingGod."[61] He also received theASCAP Latin award for Songwriter of the Year.[62] In August, his song "Pero Ya Nocode: spa promoted to code: es" 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 hisYouTube channel andUforia), free concert from atop a flatbed truck that looked like a subway car going through the streets of New York and ended atHarlem Hospital Center.[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 album,Un 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 withVanity Fair on September 12, 2023, Bad Bunny revealed that he is no longer involved in the upcomingEl Muerto film after its schedule removal. He also confirmed that he was working on a new album, planned for release sometime during the following 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 title asNadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana; the album has 22 tracks and was released on October 13, 2023.[106]
2024–present:Debí Tirar Más Fotos and Super Bowl LX halftime show
Bad Bunny performing Baile Inolvidable at the 'No me quiero ir de aquí' Residency - Puerto Rico
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 took 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 a September 1Moody's Analytics estimate, the residency was expected to draw around 600,000 attendees and have a direct economic impact of $250 million. Moody also estimated that total spending, including purchases not directly related to shows, would reach $400 million, prompting 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 theUnited States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could harm fans at his concerts as additional reasoning 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 would headline theSuper Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, making him the first solo Latino artist to do so.[118][119][120] In a statement released by theNFL on September 28, he said, "It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown … this is for my people, my culture, and our history."[121] The decision to have Bad Bunny headline the performance spurred controversy, with U.S. presidentDonald Trump calling the choice "absolutely ridiculous",[122] with others, including show producerJay-Z andNFLcommissionerRoger Goodell supporting the choice.[123][124] Bad Bunny's halftime show was the first to be performed in majority Spanish.[125] His halftime performance ranked as the fourth most-watched Super Bowl halftime show with an average of 128.2 million viewers.[126]
Following the halftime performance, Bad Bunny received a massive Billboard chart bump Bad Bunny had four songs from the set re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 dated Feb. 14 and quasi-title track “DtMF” even re-entering the top 10.[127]
In the music video for "Neverita", Bad Bunny paid homage to the "Suavemente" music video by Puerto Rican artistElvis Crespo, leaving a message in the end translated from Spanish as "In honor of the best video of all time". Elvis Crespo later felt honored by his tribute and ended up doing amerengue version of the song himself in which he performed at the2022 LatinBillboard Music Awards.[142][131][143]
According to Timothy Monger of AllMusic, his lyrics "range from humor and pathos to heartbreak and anger (sometimes in the same song)".[3] According toPaper, other themes explored in Bad Bunny's music include "self-love, inclusivity, and LGBTQ acceptance".[148]
Public image
Fashion
Vanessa Rosales ofCNN has opined that "in pink, florals and short shorts, Bad Bunny champions a new masculinity".[149] He has appeared at award shows with manicured, polished, and long fingernails.[4][150] 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 byYHLQMDLG.[151]
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.[152] 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."[153][154] Bad Bunny has redesigned several sneakers within the Adidas line, such as theCampus, theForum, and theGazelle, among others.[155][156][157]
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.[158]
In March 2025, Bad Bunny became a global ambassador forCalvin Klein underwear.[163][164][165] 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.[166] The Calvin Klein campaign video included the song, "EoO."[163] Bad Bunny was featured on the cover ofVogue Mexico and Latin America, photographed bySebastián Faena, for the May 2025 edition.[167]
Bad Bunny criticized the lack of humanitarian aid in the wake ofHurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017.[168] 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 Twitterer or President?")[169]
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.[170] 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.[15] 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.[171]
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").[172] That same year, Bad Bunny performed in drag for his music video "Yo Perreo Sola". The performance has been characterized as challenging traditional gender roles within reggaetón and bringing awareness to harassment and violence against women.[173][174] He further has been characterized as a leading figure in the move to push alternative masculinities, queer visibility, and decolonial perspectives into the mainstream of Latin music.[174][175]
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 regularly addresses issues of colonialism, displacement, and Puerto Rican resistance in both his public performances and music video, widely recognized in "El Apagón".[176][177] These works have highlighted issues such as gentrification and privatization of Puerto Rico's infrastructure to an international audience.
Following the September 2025 announcement of his Super Bowl LX halftime show performance, there was polarized public response, with some commentators calling into question his Americanness and others framing the importance of Puerto Rican visibility and cultural pride on such a large national stage.[180][176] Having initially axed all U.S. stops on his 2025 tour to protect his fan base from any targeting byU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bad Bunny added that he would accept the invitation to perform at the Super Bowl as a form of protest against the system that simultaneously seeks to embrace Latin music while displacing the people of the culture. His decision to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show has been described as a milestone for Latino representation in U.S. popular culture.[180]
Since the announcement, his fanbase has organized online campaigns celebrating Puerto Rican culture and messages of inclusion in response to criticism of his Super Bowl appearance.[181] Media reports note that many fans have also responded with humor by posting messages about learning Spanish and dancing along with his performance without knowing the words. Others have taken this announcement as an opportunity to publicly educate people about the history of the annexation of Puerto Rico and the continued colonial efforts.[182]
Philanthropy
Bad Bunny's philanthropic efforts are mostly done through his Good Bunny Foundation (Fundación el Buen Conejo), which was established in 2018.[183] 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.[184]
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.[185][186][187] In January 2025, Bad Bunny personally delivered musical instruments, art kits, and sports equipment to the Ángel L. Rodríguez Rivera court in Vega Baja.[188][189]
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."[190][191]
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.[193]
Bad Bunny met jewelry designer Gabriela Berlingeri at a restaurant in 2017.[15] They entered a professional and romantic relationship shortly after, which gained media attention in 2020.[195] After the couple quietly separated in late 2022,[195] Bad Bunny began dating model and socialiteKendall Jenner.[196] They starred in a campaign forGucci's luxury travel line in September 2023,[197] before breaking up one year later.[198][199]
Bad Bunny has publicly expressed his own sexuality asfluid, stating in a 2020 interview, "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 amheterosexual and I like women."[204] At the2022 MTV Video Music Awards, he kissed a male dancer during his performance of "Tití Me Preguntó".[205]
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 use 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".[206]
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.[214] 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.[215]
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.[216] 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.[217] 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.[218]
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.[219] 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.[220][221] At Backlash on May 6, Bunny defeated Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight, to the admiration of his home fans.[222]
Bad Bunny has set numerous records in both Latin and global music. In January 2025, with the release ofDebí Tirar Más Fotos, he became the first Latin artist to surpass 100 entries on theBillboard Hot 100, bringing his career total to 113 entries.[230] Of these entries, 41 reached the top 40, 12 reached the top 10, and one—"I Like It" withCardi B andJ Balvin—reached number one.[231] He also holds the record for the most entries on theHot Latin Songs chart with 189 career entries.[231]
OnSpotify, Bad Bunny has been named the platform's most-streamed artist globally a record four times (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025), making him the first and only artist to achieve this distinction.[232] In 2020, he became the first non-English language artist to top Spotify's year-end most-streamed list.[233] His 2025 total of 19.8 billion streams was driven largely byDebí Tirar Más Fotos, which was also named the most-streamed album globally that year.[234]
^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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