Early Life & Origins
Born on March 10, 1994, in BayamĂłn and raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Benito Antonio MartĂnez Ocasio grew up immersed in the rhythms of salsa, merengue, and pop ballads. His mother, a schoolteacher with a strong faith background, took him to church each week, where he sang in the choir until age 13. Inspired by Daddy Yankee and HĂ©ctor Lavoe, Benito chose the moniker Bad Bunny—a childhood nickname earned after his frustration dressing as a bunny in a school play moulded into his bold identity.
2013–2017: Foundations & Rise
At just 14, he began writing his own rap and trap lyrics. In 2013, Bad Bunny took his first step into the public eye, uploading his songs to SoundCloud. Tracks like “Get” (2013) and “Tentación” (2014) attracted a grassroots following, culminating in the breakthrough single “Diles” (2016). Signed by Hear This Music, he soon released “Soy Peor” and created a stir across Latin trap circles. Collaborations like “Ahora Me Llama” with Karol G (2017) and the remix of “Te Boté” (with Ozuna and Nicky Jam) cemented his early acclaim.
2018–2019: Global Stardom
His explosive 2018 year brought international fame via the chart-topping “I Like It” (with Cardi B and J Balvin) and the Drake-featured “MĂa.” Bad Bunny’s debut album X 100PRE dropped on Christmas Eve 2018, a creatively daring fusion of trap, reggaeton, and emotional storytelling. In June 2019, he teamed up with J Balvin for Oasis, a cohesive, sun-drenched reggaeton record that further solidified his star status.
2020–2021: Breaking Records & Boundaries
Bad Bunny’s albums YHLQMDLG (“Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana”) and El Ăšltimo Tour Del Mundo both broke Spanish-language barriers—YHLQMDLG became the highest-charting Spanish-only album ever at its release, and El Ăšltimo Tour Del Mundo made history as the first Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200. During the pandemic, he dropped the surprise compilation Las que no iban a salir, featuring unreleased tracks and collaborations, showing his prolific creative energy and deep connection with fans.
2022–Present: Cultural Icon & Innovator
In 2022, he released Un Verano Sin Ti, a vibrant summer soundtrack that topped charts globally and remained on Billboard 200 for weeks. Subsequent albums Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana and Debà Tirar Más Fotos continued his boundary-pushing journey. Beyond music, Bad Bunny made waves in fashion and academia: universities like Yale launched courses analyzing his social impact and aesthetics.
Wrestling, Activism & Identity
In 2021, Bad Bunny stepped into the WWE ring at WrestleMania 37, earning the 24/7 Championship and returning for marquee events like the Royal Rumble. His public persona boldly challenges gender norms through his fluid fashion—platform shoes, nail polish, and skirts—solidifying his stance as a progressive icon. After Hurricane Maria, he launched the Good Bunny Foundation to help Puerto Rico recover, demonstrating a deep-rooted commitment to social justice.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Bad Bunny stands as a generational trailblazer—the “King of Latin Trap.” He reshaped global pop culture through his unapologetic embrace of self-expression, social activism, and genre-blending artistry. His meteoric rise—from SoundCloud hopeful to global superstar, fashion influencer, wrestler, and potential Silver-Screen lead—has fused multiple cultural worlds. Today, Bad Bunny remains not just a musician, but a revolutionary voice of a new global Latin generation.