We're loading the complete profile of this person of interest including their biography, achievements, and contributions.

Rapper, Singer & Record Producer
Public Views
Experience
Documented career positions
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny, is a globally acclaimed Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born on March 10, 1994, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, he was raised in the Almirante Sur neighborhood of Vega Baja. His parents, Benito Martínez and Lysaurie Ocasio, provided a supportive, modest upbringing; his father worked as a truck driver, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Martínez Ocasio’s interest in music began in childhood, influenced by his parents' collection of salsa, merengue, and pop ballads, as well as his early exposure to local legends like Vico C and Tego Calderón. Before rising to international stardom, Martínez Ocasio balanced his musical aspirations with formal education, enrolling in the audiovisual communication program at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. During this time, he worked as a grocery store bagger at an Econo supermarket. He honed his craft by creating beats and writing lyrics in his bedroom, eventually uploading his music to SoundCloud, where he gained early traction. In 2016, his track "Diles" caught the attention of producer DJ Luian, leading to a recording contract with the label Hear This Music. Martínez Ocasio’s career trajectory shifted from regional recognition to global dominance with the release of hit singles like "Soy Peor" and high-profile collaborations, including "I Like It" with Cardi B and J Balvin and "Mía" with Drake. His debut studio album, *X 100pre* (2018), established him as a force in Latin trap and reggaeton, blending traditional Caribbean sounds with alternative pop sensibilities. He continued this momentum with *YHLQMDLG* (2020), which became a massive commercial success and solidified his status as one of the most-streamed artists in the world. Subsequent projects, including *El Último Tour Del Mundo* (2020) and *Un Verano Sin Ti* (2022), broke industry records, with *Un Verano Sin Ti* earning widespread critical acclaim and becoming a global cultural phenomenon. His 2025 release, *Debí Tirar Más Fotos*, further cemented his legacy, contributing to his historic wins at major award ceremonies, including the Grammy Awards. Beyond his musical contributions, Martínez Ocasio is recognized for his influence on fashion, visual aesthetics, and his consistent refusal to record music in English to achieve commercial success, a stance that has reshaped expectations for Latin artists in the mainstream market. He has also ventured into professional wrestling and acting, expanding his influence across various media platforms. Throughout his career, he has utilized his platform to address social and political issues relevant to Puerto Rico, often championing his heritage in his work. As of early 2026, he remains a central figure in contemporary music, credited with bringing Latin rap and urban music to the forefront of global popular culture while maintaining a distinctive, genre-defying creative voice.
AI-powered civic intelligence rating
First Spanish-language artist to earn a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year for his historic unskippable blockbuster album Un Verano Sin Ti
Spotify's most-streamed artist globally for three consecutive years executing a total takeover of the global digital music ecosystem without relying on English-language pop radio
His 2022 Worlds Hottest Tour grossed over 435 million dollars breaking the all-time record for the highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist in history
Sparked a massive viral backlash in early 2023 after a video surfaced of him grabbing a fans smartphone and throwing it into a body of water in the Dominican Republic leading to heavy criticism regarding his temperament and fame-induced arrogance
Faces incredibly complex nuanced pushback from some Puerto Rican locals who accuse him of leveraging local political strife for his brand while utilizing controversial tax incentive laws (Act 60) that price locals out of the housing market
In January 2026, a $16 million lawsuit was filed against Bad Bunny by Tainaly Serrano Rivera, alleging the unauthorized use of her recorded voice in the songs 'Solo de Mí' and 'EoO' without proper consent or compensation.
News articles featuring Benito Ocasio
Successfully crossed over into elite professional wrestling receiving massive critical acclaim for his athletic performances at WWE WrestleMania and Backlash
Gained widespread recognition in 2016 with the breakout single 'Diles'.
Achieved significant commercial success in 2017 with the release of 'Soy Peor' and collaborations such as 'Ahora Me Llama' with Karol G.
Expanded his global reach in 2018 with the collaborative track 'Mia' featuring Drake.
Released the successful collaborative EP 'Oasis' with J Balvin in 2019.
Became the first artist in 2020 to be nominated twice in the same year for the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Grammy category.
Achieved the first-ever number one spot on the Billboard 200 for an all-Spanish-language album with 'El Último Tour Del Mundo' in 2020.
Won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album for 'YHLQMDLG' in 2021, the first reggaeton album to win the category.
Made his professional wrestling in-ring debut at WWE's WrestleMania 37 in 2021.
Named Spotify's most-streamed artist globally for the second consecutive year in 2021.
Released 'Un Verano Sin Ti' in 2022, which became the first Spanish-language album nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Set a record in 2022 as the artist with the highest-grossing tour by a Latin performer with his 'World's Hottest Tour'.
Recognized by Billboard magazine as the Greatest Pop Star of 2022, becoming the first male Spanish-language artist to receive the title.
Won the Best Música Urbana Album Grammy for 'Un Verano Sin Ti' at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023.
Named the 'King of Pop' by Forbes magazine in 2023.
Honored as the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show in 2026, becoming the first Spanish-language performer to headline the event.
In March 2023, his former girlfriend, Carliz De La Cruz, filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging the unauthorized use of her voice recording, specifically the phrase 'Bad Bunny, baby', on several of his tracks and in promotional material.
In December 2025, Bad Bunny faced public criticism after he was documented touching a restricted ancient stone exhibit at a museum in Mexico City; he complied immediately after being warned by museum staff but drew backlash for the prohibited act.
In late 2025, his announcement as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer sparked controversy in some conservative political circles, with critics questioning his representation of 'American' culture and his past political stances.
In October 2025, the artist faced a lawsuit from a homeowner who alleged that a private residence featured in a short film for his album was used beyond the scope of their contract, leading to privacy violations and claims of unjust enrichment.
In 2023, he faced public criticism and accusations of hypocrisy regarding his political activism, with some commentators arguing his association with celebrity figures like Kendall Jenner contradicted his prior public stance on social justice and cultural appropriation.