Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, widely known as Bad Bunny, is a prominent Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and record producer born on March 10, 1994, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. See more of her here.
He has gained international fame for his unique blend of Latin trap and reggaeton music, earning the title “King of Latin Trap.” Bad Bunny’s music has transcended language barriers, making him one of the most streamed artists globally, particularly on Spotify, where he was the most streamed artist from 2020 to 2022.
Bad Bunny grew up in a modest household in the Almirante Sur neighborhood of Vega Baja. His father, Tito Martínez, worked as a truck driver, while his mother, Lysaurie Ocasio, was a retired schoolteacher. He has two younger brothers, Bernie and Bysael. From a young age, Bad Bunny was surrounded by music, as his parents often played salsa, merengue, and pop ballads. He attended church regularly with his mother and sang in the church choir until he was 13. This early exposure to music shaped his future career, as he developed a keen interest in artists like Daddy Yankee and Héctor Lavoe.
The origin of his stage name, Bad Bunny, is quite amusing. As a child, he dressed up in a bunny costume for a school project, and he was unhappy about it. A picture of him in the costume with a grumpy expression led him to adopt the name for his music career, believing it would be memorable and marketable.
Bad Bunny’s journey in music began when he started uploading his self-produced songs to SoundCloud while studying audiovisual communications at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. His big break came in 2016 with the release of “Diles,” which caught the attention of music producer DJ Luian. This led to a recording contract with Hear This Music, and he quickly rose to fame with hits like “Soy Peor” and collaborations with other artists such as Farruko, Karol G, and J Balvin.
In 2018, Bad Bunny released his debut studio album, *X 100PRE*, which showcased his versatility across various genres, including pop-punk and hip-hop. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. He continued to gain recognition with his collaborative album *Oasis* with J Balvin in 2019, which further solidified his status in the music industry.
His second solo album, *YHLQMDLG*, released in 2020, became a landmark project, being the highest-charting all-Spanish album on the Billboard 200 at the time. The album included popular tracks that resonated with fans worldwide. Following this, Bad Bunny released *El Último Tour Del Mundo*, which made history as the first all-Spanish language album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. His fourth album, *Un Verano Sin Ti*, released in 2022, continued his streak of success, spending 13 weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart and earning him multiple Grammy nominations.
Beyond music, Bad Bunny has made a name for himself in the world of professional wrestling. He began appearing on WWE programming in 2021 and made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37. His involvement in wrestling has showcased his multifaceted talent and appeal beyond music.
Bad Bunny is also known for his activism, particularly in support of LGBTQ+ rights. He has used his platform to advocate for social change in Puerto Rico and has been vocal about various social issues, including gender equality and mental health.
As of 2024, Bad Bunny has sold over seven million records worldwide and has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. His influence in the music industry continues to grow, and he remains a significant figure in both the Latin music scene and popular culture as a whole.
In summary, Bad Bunny’s rise from a small-town boy in Puerto Rico to a global music icon is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. His unique sound, engaging performances, and commitment to social issues have made him a beloved figure among fans and a respected artist in the music industry.