Bad Bunny

Fellow Puerto Ricans say reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was a lush tribute to their island — and to the Latino community in general, at a moment when it feels like a special target of U.S. discrimination.

This was Puerto Rico's moment, a spotlight on a collective son who quit bagging groceries a decade ago and became the world's most streamed artist on Spotify last year.

One of the top artists in the world, Bad Bunny performs primarily in Spanish and has been critical of immigration enforcement, which factored into the backlash in some conservative circles to the choice. But for the NFL hierarchy, this was likely a business decision, not a political one.

At the 2026 Grammys, Bad Bunny became the first artist to win the album of the year award for a Spanish-language release. Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga also took home major awards.

COMMENTARY The English-only furor over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl gig disingenuously disregards America's historical reality — but so does a Spanish-only mindset that many immigrants still embrace.

Bad Bunny’s latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” is sparking global conversations about Puerto Rico’s culture and struggles. The artist’s series of 30 concerts in Puerto Rico, which began Friday, amplify these issues, highlighting housing crises and economic challenges. The album’s impact extends beyond music, boosting tourism, creating jobs, and more. Fans and experts see this as a powerful moment for Puerto Rico’s visibility.

COMMENTARY With reggaeton star Bad Bunny's support, and after seeing President Trump's terrifying start, independence movements in territories like Puerto Rico and Greenland look energized.

Bad Bunny is one of the most famous artists of the moment. His support is a huge boost for the Harris campaign as it tries to maintain the demographic’s support.

These streaming titans earned eight nods apiece for the 25th annual awards, although the Mexican American songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera received the most nominations overall, with nine.

An irrepressible global pop star and political provocateur, Bad Bunny collects streaming accolades with ease, but refuses to temper his idiosyncrasies or move to U.S. pop's center.

For some, the term 'Latin music' is too broad to be meaningful. For others, it invokes a sense of pride and resistance. To help break it down, we spoke to an expert on race and music and pop culture.

This is the second of two reports on a potent new synergy between protests and protest music in Latin America, from Cuba to Colombia, San Juan to Santiago.