Who is Bad Bunny? Early Life, Music Career & Awards

Who is Bad Bunny? Bad Bunny is the stage name of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. He is a Puerto Rican singer, rapper, and songwriter who is currently dominating the reggaeton and Latin trap scene. 

With a humble Puerto Rican upbringing, he has now become a phenomenon who combines street rhythms with powerful messages that have inspired the world's youth to express themselves through fashion and activism. 

With a staggering 19.8 billion global streams in 2025, according to Spotify's 2025 Wrapped statistics, Bad Bunny has now been the platform's number one artist for the fourth time. 

Read this article below to know about Bad Bunny's early life struggles, music journey from supermarket job to global fame, and awards including Spotify's top spot with 19.8 billion 2025 streams.

Who is Bad Bunny?

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born on March 10, 1994, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 

He is a musician who performs a mix of genres such as trap, reggaeton, and Latin pop. He rose to fame from local SoundCloud videos to global concert halls.

He grew up in Almirante Sur with a truck driver father and English teacher mother. He has two brothers. 

His stage name "Bad Bunny" was from a photo of a grumpy bunny he wore as a kid. He is currently 31 years old. 

He acted in movies such as "Bullet Train" and will be performing at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

Why is Bad Bunny so Famous?

Bad Bunny shattered the global Latin music scene by blending authentic Puerto Rican music with English collaborations, even reaching the top of the charts without being entirely English-speaking. 

His fans adore his vulnerability, fashion (skirts, mullets), and activism for mental health and LGBTQ+ issues.

In 2018, songs such as "Mía" featuring Drake reached billions of views. 

His 2022 album "Un Verano Sin Ti" was the most-streamed album on Spotify at the time. 

He shattered language barriers, and made Spanish songs top Billboard.

When did Bad Bunny Start his Music Career?

Bad Bunny started in 2013 at the age of 19, producing tracks in his room after leaving the church choir at 13. 

He left the University of Puerto Rico's Arecibo campus in 2016 to focus on music.

He worked as a grocery bagger at Econo supermarket while posting on SoundCloud. 

His track "Diles" in 2016 became viral, securing a record deal with Hear This Music in 2016. Singles such as "Tu No Vive Así" featuring Arcángel in 2017 created hype.

Key milestones:

• 2018: "I Like It" with Cardi B topped the Billboard Hot 100.

• 2020: YHLQMDLG debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200.

• 2022: Un Verano Sin Ti, first all-Spanish No. 1 album.

How Many Awards did Bad Bunny Win?

Bad Bunny won the Album of the Year award in the Grammys Awards 2026.

Bad Bunny amassed over 50 major awards, including 9 Latin Grammys and 2 Grammy, cementing trap-reggaeton dominance. 

In 2025, his album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS led Spotify globally.

Billboard crowned him Top Latin Artist six years running. He holds records like most-streamed artist four times.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Conclusion

Bad Bunny rose from Puerto Rican bagger to global icon through raw talent, innovative sounds, and cultural impact. His early grit, career hustle, and award dominance inspire underdogs worldwide, proving authenticity trumps trends every time.