Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born on March 10, 1994, in the Almirante Sur neighborhood of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. He is a Puerto Rican artist who carried Latin trap and reggaeton into the global mainstream while achieving unprecedented international success through Spanish-language music. Beyond his sound, his visual style, social positioning, and rejection of rigid cultural norms have established him as one of the most influential popular culture figures of his generation.

Early Life and Family

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Almirante Sur neighborhood. His father, Tito Martínez, worked as a truck driver, while his mother, Lysaurie Ocasio, was a schoolteacher. He has two younger brothers, Bernie and Bysael. Growing up in a working-class household, he was shaped by strong family structures and local community life.

During his childhood, he regularly attended church with his mother and sang in the church choir until the age of thirteen. This early exposure to structured vocal performance played a significant role in shaping his musical discipline and stage awareness. At home, he listened to salsa, merengue, and romantic ballads before gravitating toward reggaeton and Hip Hop Music during his teenage years.

He later studied audiovisual communication at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. Although he did not complete his degree, the program strongly influenced his visual language, particularly in music videos, album aesthetics, and branding.

The Origin of the Name “Bad Bunny”

The stage name Bad Bunny originated from a childhood photograph taken during a school event in which he was forced to wear a bunny costume while visibly angry. The image’s ironic contrast between innocence and aggression later became a defining symbol of his artistic identity and public persona.

Career Beginnings (2008–2017)

Bad Bunny began recording music in his teens and gained early attention by uploading songs to SoundCloud. During this period, he worked as a grocery bagger and courier at Supermercados Econo in Vega Baja, continuing to produce music while holding a regular job.

In 2016, his track “Diles” caught the attention of producer DJ Luian, marking the start of his professional career. A series of singles followed, quickly positioning him as one of the most distinctive voices in the emerging Latin trap scene.

International Breakthrough and Recognition (2018–2019)

In November 2018, Bad Bunny released “Te Guste” with Jennifer Lopez, accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Ho. That same year, his debut studio album X 100pre received widespread critical acclaim and marked his transition into a global music figure.

His collaboration with Cardi B and J Balvin on “I Like It” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the few fully Spanish-language songs to top the chart. In 2019, he released the collaborative album Oasis with J Balvin and appeared on the main stage at Coachella, further cementing his international stature.

2020 and Beyond: Records, Activism, and Global Impact

The year 2020 represented a defining moment in Bad Bunny’s career. His album YHLQMDLG reached number two on the Billboard 200, setting records for Spanish-language releases. Later that year, El Último Tour Del Mundo debuted at number one, becoming the first entirely Spanish-language album to achieve that position.

In the same period, he became the most-streamed artist on Spotify worldwide. Alongside his commercial success, Bad Bunny emerged as a vocal advocate for social causes, participating in political protests in Puerto Rico and publicly supporting gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-violence movements.

Acting and Fashion

In addition to music, Bad Bunny expanded into acting through roles in television series and feature films. His presence in the fashion world has been equally influential, as he consistently challenges traditional gender norms through experimental styling and high-profile collaborations with major global brands.

His fashion identity has positioned him as a defining cultural figure for younger generations who view clothing as a form of political and personal expression.

Personal Life

Bad Bunny has consistently attempted to keep his personal life out of the public eye despite his fame. He has spoken openly about the psychological pressures of celebrity and has periodically withdrawn from social media. He was in a long-term relationship with jewelry designer Gabriela Berlingeri from 2017 until 2023.

Photographs of Bad Bunny taken by Gabriela Berlingeri appeared on the May 2020 cover of Rolling Stone. In July 2020, following the death of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, Bad Bunny became the first man other than Hefner to appear alone on the magazine’s cover in its 66-year history.

Between 2023 and 2024, he was publicly linked to Kendall Jenner. In interviews, he has consistently expressed fluid and open perspectives on identity, gender roles, and personal freedom.

Major Awards and Historic Achievements

On February 1, 2026, at the 68th Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, becoming the first artist in history to win the award with a fully Spanish-language album. The album also earned him Best Música Urbana Album, while he additionally received Best Global Music Performance.

Discography

Albums
2018 – X 100pre
2019 – Oasis (with J Balvin)
2020 – YHLQMDLG
2020 – Las Que No Iban a Salir
2020 – El Último Tour Del Mundo
2022 – Un Verano Sin Ti
2023 – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
2025 – Debí Tirar Más Fotos

Filmography

Film and Television
2021 – Narcos: Mexico (TV series)
2022 – Bullet Train (The Wolf)
2023 – Cassandro
2025 – Happy Gilmore 2
2025 – Caught Stealing

Source: Biyografiler.com