If the Super Bowl was your first introduction to the icon that is Bad Bunny, and left you wanting more, look no further.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a Puerto Rican artist who has spent years breaking down barriers, putting out incredible music and gifting the world a hilarious, morally top-notch artist to root for.
Perhaps what Bad Bunny is most well-known for is the exceptional impact he has had for Latin music on the international stage. “I’m pleased that we are in a time where I don’t need to change anything about myself — not my musical style, not my language, not my culture — to go far,” he said.
His 2020 album El Último Tour del Mundo was the first all-Spanish album to ever debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He is the first Spanish-language artist to be nominated for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories simultaneously at the Grammy Awards. And his 2025 album, DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS, was the first Spanish-language album to win a Grammy for Album of the Year only a month ago. In total, Bad Bunny holds 17 Latin Grammy awards, six Grammy awards and many others for his discography.
Overall, Bad Bunny has put out six albums: his debut album X 100PRE in 2018; YHLQMDLG, Las que no iban a salir and El Último Tour del Mundo all in 2020; Un Verano Sin Ti in 2022, nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana in 2023 and DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS in 2025. On top of his albums, Bad Bunny has released over 100 singles, including collaborations with artists such as Cardi B, J Balvin (including the album Oasis in 2019), Daddy Yankee, Drake, Rosalía and more. In fact, the 2026 Super Bowl was not his first time on the Super Bowl stage. In 2020, he joined Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and J Balvin during the half time show.
Bad Bunny is often called the “King of Latin Trap.” His music blends reggaeton, Latin trap, pop soul, bachata and so much more –– creating a style completely unique.
For those looking for specific entry-points to Bad Bunny’s extensive discography, I have a couple of recommendations. I’m currently obsessed with the salsa hit “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” from DTMF which you simply cannot help dancing to. Fun fact: The music in the album, including the fantastic brassy trumpets and resonating drums are done by a group of young musicians, LoS SOBRiNOS, who Bad Bunny and producers found in public music schools in Puerto Rico.
Of course, I don’t know if anything can ever top “Tití Me Preguntó” — it’s probably Bad Bunny’s most well-known and most-played song from its popularity at parties and bars. It showcases Bad Bunny’s signature style: fun, young and ever so dance-able. “DÁKITI” with JHAYCO from El Último Tour del Mundo is also so fun with a fast beat and cool electric elements that flow like waves throughout the song.
Bad Bunny has spent years showcasing Puerto Rican culture and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, both through his music and platform. His song “Compositor Del Año,” released as a standalone single in 2020, is a prime example, including lyrics such as, “Un negro con pistola / Ya eso es un criminal / Pero un blanquito se la engancha y dicen que es un hobby [translated: A black man with a gun / That’s already a criminal / But a white guy gets into it and they say it’s a hobby],” “Como incitar a los jovenes a que sean votate’ [How to encourage young people to vote],” and “Cosa’ má’ importante’ / Como luchar por los derecho’ de lo’ inmigrante’ [Most important thing / How to fight for immigrant rights].” The single “Solo de Mi” from X 100PRE is all about domestic violence.
Bad Bunny has made his political stances clear through action as well as his music. His 2025-2026 concert tour notably skipped venues in the United States due to fear that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would raid the concert venues. He added, “There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate.”
While accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album for DTMF, Bad Bunny continued speaking out against ICE, stating, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say: ICE out. We’re not savage; we’re not animals; we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” He continued, “Hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.” Later in the night, in his speech for Album of the Year, which he gave in both Spanish and English, he said, “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.”
Bad Bunny has also been a prominently gender-fluid artist, from dressing in drag for a music video and wearing skirts during television appearances and on magazine covers to kissing a male backup dancer on stage. He has openly challenged homophobia in reggaeton and the toxic view of masculinity in the Latin community, making himself a prominent ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
His foundation, Good Bunny Foundation, aids children in poverty. Founded in 2018, the program focuses on empowering Puerto Rican youth through music, arts and sports programs.
Adding onto his multi-faceted career, Bad Bunny has also appeared on television multiple times. I also have to add that Bad Bunny was born for comedy, with a plethora of viral moments emerging from his times on SNL, including the famous Protective Mom skit with Pedro Pascal, his Shrek sketch and airplane sketch with Scarlett Johansson (starting at 3:06).
I hope this marks the beginning of a long and deep obsession with Bad Bunny for many — this is one artist to keep watching!
Jenna Ledley is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at jledley@cornellsun.com.
